Winter Hair Care

The cold dry air in winter makes the skin and hair extremely dry. So, its very important to take good care of the hair.Dry hair is prone to frizz, breakage and tangling.
Sebum(oil produced by our body) keeps the scalp moisturised and prevents it from drying. However, during winters, sebum production is reduced and it drastically affects our hair and body leading to dryness. This is the reason why the scalp becomes dry in winters.This is the month of most festivals and weddings.Dry hair can surely rob off the glow. So we need to follow a basic routine to keep our hair have that natural glow.

1.Oiling Hair:
This is the essential step which shouldn't  be skipped by any chance. Oiling will regulate the blood circulation and keep the scalp moisturised.It should be done twice a week.It will work best if done with warm(not hot) oil.Olive oil, almond oil provide essential fatty acids and vitamins.You can also add a few drops o jojoba oil to your regular hair oil. Jojoba oil is similar to serum and is easily absorbed by the scalp and hair.

Hot-Oil Treatment. Combine ½ cup of rosemary leaves and ½ cup of olive oil in a small saucepan. Heat gently until just warmed. Strain out the rosemary and apply the oil to your hair, working it in well to coat the scalp. Wrap the hair in a shower cap and top with a hot towel for 15 minutes. Shampoo as usual, making sure to wash out all of the oil.

2.Shampoo:
Don't shampoo your hair frequently in winter. This will only make the hair more dry.Avoid shampoos that contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Myreth Sulfate as these are very strong detergents.You can even make your own shampoo. Egg shampoo works wonder for the hairs during winter.This is suitable for types of hair.

In one egg mix 1 tsp of lemon juice,1 tsp of olive oil and 1 tbsp of castile soap(a natural detergent). To this mixture add 1/2 cup water and add few drops of your favorite essential oil. If you want extra shine you can add 1/2 cup of cooled herbal tea instead of water. Shampoo as usual.
Remember not to go out with wet hair as this encourages splitting.

3.Conditioning:
It is very essential to follow with a good conditioner after shampoo.A good conditioner should contain essential fatty acids as these are natural oils. These are generally labelled as EFAs.Fatty alcohols like cetyl or stearyl alcohol also help to prevent excessive drying.You can even make your own conditioner.

All you have to do is blend 1/2 cup water with 1/2 avocado, 5 drops of wheat germ oil and 2 drops of vitamin e oil. Apply this for 10 mins. and rinse off. Rinsing off with cold water locks in the moisture.Avocados are rich in essential fatty acids, wheat germ oil is rich in various vitamins and Vitamin E is essential for healthy hair.

You can also try this egg conditioner. Beat a yolk till its frothy. Then add 1 tbsp of baby oil to it. Beat this for few mins and add it to 1 cup water.Apply this to hair after shampoo and rinse well.

Avocado and Coconut Conditioner. Mash one avocado and add enough coconut milk so that it is the same consistency as lotion. Let it sit for 15 minutes, and then wash it out.

4. Blow drying:

Allow your hair to dry naturally. Avoid use of blow dryers. These make the hair dry.You can use the cool mode of your dryer to dry the hair. This may take a long time but its good for your hair as it causes less damage to the hair.Well, the basic mantra is stay away from the hair styling gadgets.

5.Cover with care:

Do use a cap or hat or scarf to cover your hair. Do make sure that these are not tightly wrapped. This restricts circulation to scalp.Not to forget, style it simple.