Is the condition of your hair and scalp different in winter than in other seasons? Harsh cold weather and indoor heating can easily dry out your scalp and make your hair frizzy. If you're drifting away from having shiny hair, it's time to take note.

 

How Does Winter Affect My Hair?

Winter's low temperatures and humidity can have adverse effects on the scalp. Prolonged indoor heating only exacerbates the dryness, which can strip your scalp and hair of essential moisture and cause itchiness, dandruff, and even seborrheic dermatitis. Keeping your scalp hydrated is vital in winter. Drink plenty of water and avoid cranking up the indoor heat too high. Regular exercise is also important to boost blood circulation, benefiting both scalp and body health.

Hair loss occurs when hair falls out from where it should naturally be or when it becomes thin and weak, failing to maintain its normal growth cycle. The cold can also worsen hair loss. Low temperatures impede blood flow, depriving hair follicles of necessary nutrients. 

Recently, there's been a noticeable increase in those in their 20s to 30s seeking treatment for hair loss. Healthy scalps shed about 40-80 hairs daily, but losing more than 100 could indicate a problem. Early intervention is key, so if your hair feels thinner or you're seeing more dandruff, you should start doing something different for your hair. 

 

Use Moisturising Shampoo

Opt for shampoos with gentle plant-based surfactants and enhanced moisturising ingredients that help maintain balance of oils and moisture in your hair. Our shampoos contain Organic Manuka Honey (MGO 250+), Baobab Phyto Peptide Bio-Active, and Pro-Vitamin B5 not only to deeply hydrate the hair but also to repair damaged hair, promote hair strength, and provide protection against environmental damage.

Use your fingertips to gently massage your scalp or use the back of your nails to lightly press and scrub. Just as hot water can dry out your skin, it can also dry out your hair. Use lukewarm water for shampooing and finish with a cold rinse.

 

 

Should I Shampoo Less in Winter?

Sebum production decreases in winter, so your hair might not need as frequent washing. However, if you go to the gym often and work up a sweat, it's still important to wash your hair daily to keep your scalp clean and remove waste, dandruff, oils, and bacteria. Many people hesitate to wash their hair frequently due to concerns about hair loss, but keeping the scalp clean is essential. Our shampoos are gentle, natural, and preservative-free, which minimises the risk of over-drying your hair.

 

Conditioners are Essential!

Just as you apply the products for your skin to hydrate and nourish, using a conditioner is essential to provide your hair with deep hydration and nourishment, promoting hair health. Most conditioners have different functions compared to hair masks. Carol Priest's conditioner is gentle and fortified with treatment ingredients, making it suitable for use as a hair mask by applying it to the scalp as well. Some worry that their hair might become limp, but applying Carol Priest conditioner to the scalp and rinsing it out will not only improve scalp health but also maintain hair volume and shine.

 

Anti-Aging for Your Hair: Massage & Diet

As mentioned earlier, winter hair is prone to aging. The first step to prevent scalp and hair aging is to make scalp massages a habit. Use your fingertips to lightly press along the brow ridge to the hairline, massaging in circular motions. Then, massage the centre of the back of your neck with your thumbs and perform neck exercises to relax the neck muscles.

Health supplements are also important. Hair is often the first to show signs of deficiency when essential vitamins and minerals are lacking in our bodies. For example, oily hair may indicate a lack of vitamin B, dry and brittle hair suggests a a lack of essential fatty acids, dull hair colour and slow growth indicate a zinc deficiency, and severe hair loss points to a deficiency in vitamin C, iron, vitamin B1, and lysine. In such cases, health supplements can help your hair anti-aging care.

A diet rich in protein and low in carbohydrates and fat helps produce healthy hair and prevent hair loss. Essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) are crucial for maintaining hair health and preventing inflammation. Organic foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, chicken, eggs, nuts, beans, and seeds contain essential nutrients for healthy hair, and a deficiency can accelerate hair loss.