Winters in Colorado are cold, harsh, and unforgiving, especially on your hair. Dry air and indoor heating can play havoc with your locks. The extreme swing between mild, sunny days and frozen, sub-zero nights often makes matters worse. Your hair may look dull and full of static, while feeling rough at the ends. Read on to discover five simple tips to help keep your hair soft, smooth, and easy to style all season long.
- Moisture Matters More Than You Think
Moisture leaves your hair faster during winter, especially along the Front Range where the air is particularly dry. If your hair starts feeling frizzy, hair styling services Arvada CO can put you back on the right track with professional intervention.
There are things you can do at home as well. For starters, swap to a hydrating conditioner that doesn’t contain chemicals like silicones, sulfates, short-chain alcohols, parabens, or polyethylene glycols (PEGs). These can dry out your hair. A weekly hair mask and using a light leave-in can also help.
- Be Gentle When Your Hair Is Fragile
When the weather is cold, your hair breaks more easily. Dry strands are less flexible and more prone to breakage, so take extra care when handling your hair. Brush it slowly, starting at the ends and working your way up. After washing, squeeze your hair with a microfiber towel or a 100% cotton tshirt. Whatever you do, don’t rub it; the friction is damaging. If you blow dry, use lower heat and make sure to keep it moving, or switch to a diffuser if possible.
- Give Your Scalp Some Care
Your scalp feels winter just as much as your hair does. The contrast of cold air, dry indoor heat, and hot showers can leave it tight, itchy, or flaky. When rinsing your hair, try using warm water, not hot; around body temperature is ideal, roughly 100°F. To counteract dryness, massage a light serum or oil into your scalp directly.
- Adjust Your Styling Routine for the Season
Winter is not the time to crank up the hot styling tools. If you must blow dry or style with heat, choose a lower setting and leave more time. Most importantly, always use a heat protectant. Protective styles can help, too. Loose braids and low buns reduce friction and keep your hair smoother.
- Shelter Your Hair From the Elements
Hats and scarves are great for staying warm in cold Colorado winters, but friction from synthetic fabrics can rough up your hair fast. Look for accessories with soft linings or tuck your hair into a silky scarf before pulling on a hat. Man-made fibers are also a nightmare for static. You may want to keep a smoothing product in your bag for emergencies. A tiny amount rubbed between your hands and lightly pressed onto the ends usually does the trick.
Endnote
Colorado winters can be intense. Your hair has got to cope with cold, dry air, then indoor heat, and back again. To keep it supple, strong, and in top condition, you need to make a few seasonal tweaks. Focus on locking in moisture, handle it gently, and keep it protected from friction and temperature extremes. You’ll spend less time fighting static and split ends, and more time embracing your sleek winter style.
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