JOIN USAvoid bad hair days, tame unruly tresses
Months of conditioning and oiling the lovely tresses to make them healthy and strong, suffer a major setback come winter. Blame it on the sharp winter breeze, humidity in the air, pollution, the hot water hair wash or the frequent shampooing to keep that unruly mane in place, the fact is that ‘bad hair’ days are all too frequent during the winter months.
So what does one do to ensure that those unmanageable, frizzy tresses retain their lustre and health? Check out what the experts advise on hair care during winters...Though a hot water bath eases the body, the same is disastrous for the hair as, “the hot water damages the hair by washing away the oils that hold the cuticle together, which causes frizz and breakage,” informs Tisha Kapur Khurana, beauty expert at Bottega di Lungavita.
One way of getting around the problem is washing hair with cold water and drying it gently with a towel. Hair dryers during winters are a complete no-no as they play a major role in breaking the fragile strands of hair after a wash. Also avoid shampooing the hair more than twice a week.
Tisha also suggests that “Tying your hair in winter can help keep your locks in check. A neat ponytail, twisted and braided updos either at the back or to one side will keep hair tidy and frizz-free. Make sure to style your hair with products that discourage moisture absorption into the hair shaft.”
So the luxury of leaving the hair loose in winter should be given a miss to eliminate the bigger concern of a thinning plait. However, if your hair becomes really unmanageable then beauty expert Shahnaz Husain advises a hot oil hair massage. “Heat up and apply pure coconut oil twice a week. Dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap it around the head like a turban. Keep it on for five minutes and repeat the process thrice to help the hair and scalp absorb the oil better.”
Apart from this, the expert also suggests less use of shampoo. “You can also mix some water with creamy hair conditioner and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the hair before combing them, so that it spreads through the strands,” adds Shahnaz warning against rubbing of hair with towel.
Though these corrective measures help improve the quality of hair in winter, it is also important to retain their character which can be achieved with the use of curd or egg for half an hour. You can overcome the strong eggy smell by applying a mixture of almond oil, lemon juice and pure glycerine – a teaspoon of each mixed well to form a smooth concoction– on the hair and leaving it on for half-an-hour before washing up.
If you have time constraints, “Get a thick satin scarf or bonnet to reduce moisture loss from your hair as you sleep. To increase your moisture retention, switch to a satin pillowcase in addition to covering your hair with a scarf or bonnet. Additionally, you can wear the satin scarf or bonnet under your beanie, head wrap, or winter hat,” says Tisha discouraging use of hair dryers during the winter months to avoid making the hair brittle. “If you have to, use a cooler setting to dry your hair. It may take a longer time to dry but the shine will be well worth it!”
But no hair care advice is complete without a healthy diet and lifestyle. Experts advise a proper intake of fresh vegetables, greens and fruits including spinach, bananas, eggs and fish that are rich in nutrients essential to lustrous hair. And not the least avoid stress which affects hormones and result in limp-looking hair, even hair fall.