The low temperature, lack of moisture and strong winds are factors that rob our skin and hair of its natural moisture and make it rough and dry. The low ambient temperature also results in lack of thirst and less intake of water and fluids, which further has a dehydrating effect on the skin and hair.

Hair care

Hair tends to becomes rough, dry and frizzy and develops split ends due to lack of natural oil and moisture.

Problems like hair fall and dandruff are also on the rise in this winter season.

Before the winter winds can work havoc with your hair, expose your hair to deep conditioning. Since the cold weather causes your hair to dry, massage your hair in aloe vera juice for a few minutes. This will restore its softness.

You can also treat your hair with oil massage once or twice a week. Olive oil can work wonders in reinforcing moisture to your hair. Heat the oil before using and allow it to soak for a time lesser than the time you allot for the summer season. Too long a period of soaking hair in oil can get you ill. If you are used to treating your hair with herbal extracts or herbal oil, do not soak it for a long time.

Herbal ingredients are mostly cooling agents that are more suitable for the summer. Keep away from washing your hair too frequently.

Deep conditioning spa treatments work wonders on your hair in this season. They are more effective and advanced than oil massages and really improve the texture of the hair. Enroll yourself for a hair spa.

Woollen clothing like hats, scarves and turtlenecks can cause damage to your hairline. Since they can cause breakage, first cover your hair with a silk scarf before exposing it to winter wraps. It is the appropriate time for split ends to work their way up to the hair shafts. Hence, go in for regular trims.

Style your hair with a braid, twist or a knot. Try keeping away from letting your hair open and wild, as the cold winds can play rough on your hair.

The weather is dry and treatments like colouring, streaking, rebonding and smoothening etc. can make the hair drier.

Use of right products along with serums and leave-in conditioners would also help to maintain soft, silky hair.

Expose your hair to natural drying. Keep away from blow dryers. If you have to use, use one with a hood.

Skin

The most important way to combat dryness is to replenish the skin’s oil and moisture. Use a rich moisturiser over the skin frequently; particularly after a bath or washing hands and feet.

The use of soaps, detergents and alkalis, which wash off the natural oils, should be kept to a minimum. Use soaps that are meant for the dry skin, soap-free washes or soaps rich in moisturizers like glycerine. Avoid exposing your skin to organic solvents like kerosene, petrol and alcohol etc.

For the face, use cleansing milks. Avoid alcohol based cleansers. Avoid bathing in very hot running water. It is a good idea to sit in a bath tub with lukewarm water along with skimmed milk or light baby oil rather than a shower. After bath, apply moisturiser over the wet skin itself, as it helps to absorb and retain better and also less quantity of the moisturiser is used. At night, use a night cream particularly over the face.

Moisturise

For excessively dry skin, use creams rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids. To prevent chapping of lips, use white petroleum jelly on the lips frequently.

For hands and feet, use a cream particularly after a wash. Priority should be given to areas like elbows and knees. Moisturise and nourish nails with olive oil.

Use packs over the face to tone up the skin and prevent wrinkles and fine lines;  they should be non-drying type- rich in yellow of an egg, honey, milk, and aloe extract.

YOUR QUESTIONS

Beauty expert Manjul Gupta answers queries on style  and grooming. Write to her at Living c/o Deccan Herald,  No. 75, M G Road, B’lore -1 or email: styletips@ rediffmail.com