How to Look After Your Hair in Winter

Cold air, central heating and hats create a specific set of problems for your hair. None of them are serious on their own, but left to build up from October through to March they make a real difference to condition, scalp health and how your colour looks.

Central heating dries your hair more than the cold does

The cold outside strips moisture from the hair shaft, but what happens indoors does the most damage. Central heating reduces humidity, and low-humidity air pulls moisture from hair just as it does from skin. The result is hair that is drier, more prone to frizz and more brittle through the winter months.

Use a heavier conditioner than you would in summer. If you normally use a light conditioner, move to something richer from October. If your hair is colour-treated or already dry, a weekly treatment mask makes a real difference. Apply it to mid-lengths and ends after shampooing, leave it for 3 to 5 minutes, and rinse thoroughly.

What hats are doing to your hair in winter

Wool and synthetic hats cause 2 problems. The first is friction: the fabric moves against the hair shaft and lifts the cuticle, which leads to frizz, tangles and eventually breakage along the front hairline and the crown. The second is sweat and product build-up at the scalp. Wearing a hat for several hours traps heat and moisture, which creates the right conditions for a greasy or irritated scalp even in people who don't usually have one.

A silk or satin lining eliminates most of the friction problem. If you're not changing your hats, the most important thing is to brush your hair before putting a hat on, not after.

Brushing already-tangled hair after wearing a hat causes far more damage than most people realise. We wrote a full guide to why hair breaks when you brush it — worth reading if you're finding more breakage than usual.

Washing less is not the answer

A lot of people wash their hair less in winter. They're outdoors less, going to the gym less, and the cold makes it less appealing. The problem is that hats, indoor heating and dry air all mean the scalp and lengths still need regular attention.

If washing in cold weather is uncomfortable, dry your hair fully before you go outside. Cold air on wet hair doesn't cause illness, but it does cause more cuticle damage than drying at home first.

Look after your scalp

Scalp health matters more in winter. Central heating creates a dry environment that can lead to a dry, tight scalp, flaking or increased sensitivity. At the same time, hats and less frequent washing can tip the balance the other way towards an oily or congested scalp.

Keep your shampoo on the scalp rather than the lengths. Massage it in gently and let the rinse water carry it through. Your scalp needs attention; your lengths mostly need conditioner.

If you're noticing more flaking or itching than usual, switch to a scalp-specific shampoo for the winter months. Most people find it resolves quickly once the season changes.

Colour fades faster in winter

Hot showers are the main cause. Hot water opens the hair cuticle and speeds up colour fade significantly. Turning the temperature down on your final rinse is the single biggest thing you can do to preserve colour through the winter.

Hats rubbing against coloured hair at the hairline also cause uneven fading. If your colour looks worn at the front faster than elsewhere, that's most likely the cause.

A sulphate-free shampoo slows colour loss by being gentler on the cuticle. Worth switching to from October if you're not using one already.

Before you go out in the cold

Apply a small amount of leave-in conditioner or hair oil to the mid-lengths and ends before going outside. This creates a barrier between the hair shaft and cold, dry air. Focus on the ends — this is where the hair is oldest and most susceptible to dryness.

Brush your hair before you put on a hat, not after. If you tie your hair back under a hat, avoid tight elastics at the point where the hat sits.

If your hair needs more than a routine change

If your hair is significantly drier, more damaged or your scalp is causing problems that aren't resolving with a product change, a conditioning treatment in the salon makes a real difference. It's worth booking before winter properly sets in rather than trying to repair things in February.

Book an appointment at Hair By Marta and we'll put together the right treatment for what your hair needs.