How To Avoid Hair Breakage In Winter.

This morning I noticed the trees around our home are shedding their leaves. Winter is fast approaching friends and mornings and evenings are becoming colder and colder. Just this past week, it was so cold in Johannesburg we had to wear winter boots and all. This just reminded me to make up my mind on how I will take care of my hair this coming winter to minimize breakage. Below are tips on how you can take care of your mane this winter.

• Water is still your best friend. Co-wash your hair at least once a week and mist or spritz your hair with a water based conditioning spray daily.
• Even if your hair is in hair extensions or a weave, do not neglect your actual hair. You will need to co-wash and spray it as well. There is no use looking all groomed up in a weave while your actual hair is dry and breaking under it.
• Deep condition your hair every week. Our hair needs more moisture in winter because the cold weather tends to dry our hair making it prone to breakage.
• Always seal in the moisture with an oil or whipped Shea butter
• Try your best to stay away from heat styling tools. Allow your hair to air dry instead.
• Wear a satin scarf or cap under woollen hats to prevent the wool from sucking the moisture out of your hair
• Low maintenance styles are recommended in winter. These are styles that will not need touch ups during the course of the day. Over handling of your hair especially when it is dry may lead to more breakage.
• Wear your hair in a protective style that will last at least a week. There are so many protective styles to choose from. You can mini twist, micro braid, cornrow your hair or the much thicker/bigger versions of these which will take less time to do and undo. You can also tie your hair in a high bun and tuck your ends in for a protective style. Bantu knots are also a protective style not to mention the knot out that you can wear to church on Sunday when you take them out. Those who don’t mind hair extensions and weaves may utilise these as protective hairstyles as well though you have to make sure your stylist should not braid too tight or you will have to put up with traction alopecia.
• Even if you feel you need to have your hair braided or plaited all winter, it is important to rest it as well for a week or so and let it breathe for optimum health.
• Dry indoor heating is also a culprit for dry hair. Try to wear warm cloths and avoid indoor heating whenever possible. (City power will love you for this as well.)
• You already know your hair thrives on moisture. Use every opportunity to increase the moisture in your hair even more. Use oils that are humectants like Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil, Castor Oil and chief of them being glycerine, which tend to draw moisture from the atmosphere to your hair. Glycerine is the best in winter although it will make your hair to shrink so always use it with a vision of how you will want to wear your hair when it is in your hair.
•  Stay away from petrolatum or mineral oil based products because, even though they will cause your hair to shine, they do not moisturise your hair at all. They sit on the surface, attracting dirt to your hair which will lead to lots of build up and the need to shampoo more frequently.

I am sure there is still more you can do for your hair to make sure it does not break badly this winter. Best practices when it comes to your hair will definitely give you good results. I encourage you to listen to your hair and do what is best for it. Our hair is different and we have different likes. Some of my friends will not be caught dead without straight hair while I love curly hair. So do what is best for your hair and style.

Have a blessed week and take care.