During the winter months, not only do we have to deal with the elements robbing our hair of its essential moisture, but we also are damaging with any of the other root causes of excessively dry hair. Because of all our offerings are made with premium quality human hair, it too is susceptible to the same kind of issues your natural hair deal with in colder, dryer seasons. We rounded up some of our best life hacks for two of the biggest challenges the change of seasons brings dry hair and frizz!
Dry Hair During the Winter Months
When your natural hair, your hair extensions, wig or unit is visibly dry and dull there always four common culprits:
Challenge #1Over-washing or using a harsh shampoo strips away your hair's natural oils or damages your add-on hair.
Life Hack: For everyday use you need a good sulfate free Hydrating Shampoo and Hydrating Conditioner. If the damage has already happened, two times a week a you can a Deep Conditioning Mask to offer more in-depth repair.
Challenge #2Blow drying your hair too often -- especially when you apply alcohol-based styling products first
Life Hack: Hair when it is wet is when it is most vulnerable to damage. Overuse of blow drying can cook your cuticle, particularly if you blow dry and then immediately head out into the cold or dry air. Instead, use the cool setting with low pressure setting or simply switch up your style to allow for air drying.
Challenge #3Using heated hair straighteners or curling irons
Life Hack: Instead of using a hot tool, squeeze out excess water as soon as you’re out of the shower, then let your hair air-dry for five or ten minutes before blow drying. If you need to use a flat or curling iron, just make sure you are using the right temperature for your hair type or the hair type of your extensions or wig.
- Fine, chemically treated or damaged hair: should only be ironed at a low setting, below 300 degrees.
- Normal hair can be ironed at 300 to 380 degrees.
- Thick, coarse or extra curly hair can be ironed at 350 to 400 degrees.
Exposing your hair to lots of sun, wind, or dry air
Life Hack: During the winter months, not only is the sun closer to the Earth, but UVA & UVB rays reflect off the snow causing sun burns and also photo-aging of hair color. Don’t be afraid to rock a fun hat in the winter and to minimize “hat hair” combine some of our leave-in conditioner with braids or a ponytail to keep your hair composed.
Frizz Got You Freaking Out?
There is nothing more frustrating than stepping out the door and watching your hair start to frizz up as the morning goes on. Static flyaway hair is caused by 1 of 3 causes: friction, low humidity and hair condition.
Unlike electric charges (which are moving), static charges are stuck in one spot on an insulated surface (like your hair or a balloon after you rub it on your sweater.) All these built-up charges repel each other and push your hair fibers apart.
- Cause #1 Friction: When you brush or comb your hair or pull on a sweater, you are rubbing material you’re creating friction that causes electron transfer
- Cause #2 Low humidity: Moisture in the hair helps to disperse electrical charges as water molecules themselves are conductive. In dry, winter weather the charges are stuck to your hair.
- Cause #3 Hair Condition: The drier and more damaged hair is, the more negative charge it has and more likely will be able to transfer electrons into itself from the environment.
WHAT's a Woman to do?
Lock it in place with a styling product, lubricate it with an oil to reduce friction or simple get rid of the charge completely with a good leave in conditioner, or for curly textured extensions, wigs, systems or your own hair use our Curl Care Nourishing Spray.
Life Hack: Swap out your cotton pillowcases for silk! Because of the finery of silk, as you sleep the fibers won’t cause your hair extensions to mix, mingle and rough up. Here’s a bonus tip: avoid sleeping with wet hair…it’ll help but a crimp on tangling!