Winter air wreaks havoc on the tresses. If your hair type is naturally dry, then the drying effects are much more profound.
Treating hair with an oil massage once or twice a week is something, which one should never forget. Dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap towel around your head. Keep it on for 5 minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap three or four times. This helps the hair and scalp absorb the oil better. Pure or virgin coconut oil is the best massage oil for this season.
Some tips to protect your hair
Itchiness and irritation are common during the winter and notorious for dryness. So, wash your hair a little less often and choose a sensitive scalp shampoo - which is normally creamier. Also try to avoid those products that are formulas for dandruff-prone scalps. Remember dandruff is caused by an oily-scalp, rather than a dry—scalp.
Do not let your hair hang loose and wild around your shoulders. Instead, cover your head with a suitable silk scarf (woolen scarves are not good for the hair) while going out to shield it from the harsh climate.
Do not dry your hair using blow dryers, as this can be very damaging. Also do not subject your hair to harsh treatments like perming, crimping, coloring or streaking just to look good. This strips your hair of natural oils and robs the moisture from them.
During winter season your hair requires extra conditioning, hence make sure that after shampooing your hair you apply conditioner. Instead of daily shampooing it is advisable to condition your hair. Use lukewarm or cold water for washing your hair. Avoid hot water showers or washing your hair as hot water damages your hair and tends to make them further dry. In case you have used hot water then give your locks last rinse with cold water.
Stay clear of highlights
Lay off the highlights. Deepening your hue for winter is not only flattering to your skin tone, it will also help prevent damage caused by highlights. Lightening your hair looks great for the sunny summer, but during winter when you lose your deep tan, you need to compensate with a deeper hair color. Highlighting your hair is also harmful, so it’s good to take a break from this damaging service for a few months. Can’t bear to pass on the foils? Then stick with some highlights, but have your stylist add in a few lowlights as well.
Opt for a hair repair mask
For extremly dry hair go for a deep conditioning treatment at a salon. You may also opt for a hair repair mask, which helps to regain the natural oil from the hair and gives lustrous look to hair.
Apply hair serum
You may also apply hair serum on your hair. Naturally produced sebum in the sebaceous glands under the scalp, nourishes the scalp and hair. But in winter season your hair needs external serum treatment. Apply the serum on the hair that nourishes the hair. Take two to three drops of the serum readily available in market, and apply on each strand when the hair is wet, slightly blow-dry the hair.
Home remedy for dry hair
Boil together one cup of milk, one cup of water, and dried rose petals. Allow the mixture to cool and pour into a blender. Add a ripe avocado and two teaspoons each of honey and almond paste or non-alcoholic almond oil. Blend the ingredients together. Massage this homemade hair conditioner carefully into your hair coating the ends well. Wrap hair in plastic and rinse after 30 minutes.
Reference; http://lifestyle.in.msn.com/fashion/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1712009
