Common Winter Hair Problems & Their Solutions

Winter season comes with plenty of hair hassles, but nature has all the solutions!

The winter season brings along festive glee, but it also comes with common winter hair concerns. The low temperature and harsh winter winds can contribute to dandruff, dry scalp, and hair breakage.

But like any other problem, there are solutions for winter hair concerns too. This blog is a detailed guide to help you identify your hair concerns and herbal ways to combat them. Before we begin, let's understand how this chilly season affects your scalp health and hair.

How Does the Winter Season Affect Your Hair & Scalp?

The climatic and environmental shifts during this season can predominantly affect your hair and scalp. The following are the factors you must consider:

• Dry Air & Low Humidity: The dry air and decreased humidity are major culprits. It dries your scalp and hair, and strips away the natural moisture.
• Indoor Heating: During the winter season, many resort to indoor heating tools for warmth, this can further strip hair of its natural oils, leaving it brittle and dry.
• Temperature Changes: Moving from cold outdoors to warmer indoors can stress your hair, leading to split ends and breakage.
• Static Buildup: Woolen clothes, hats, and dry air can cause static, leaving your hair frizzy and unmanageable.

8 Common Winter Hair Problems & Herbal Solutions to Treat Them

1. Dry & Itchy Scalp

Cold winter air can pull out the natural oils from your scalp, leading to dryness & itching. This can cause flakiness and scalp discomfort, which can also worsen your scalp condition.

Herbal Solution:

• Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera is gentle and effective, it helps soothe, hydrate, and calm your irritated scalp, providing moisture without greasiness.

How to Use: Soak the aloe vera leaf in water for 30 minutes before use. Apply the gel directly to your scalp and hair. Wash it off after 20 minutes.

• Peppermint: Contains menthol, which soothes and balances scalp moisture.

How to Use: Dilute peppermint oil with coconut oil or argan oil and apply it to your scalp and hair. Massage it in a circular motion for complete absorption. Keep it overnight or wash it off after 2 hours.

2. Dandruff Flare-ups

Moisture-less, dry scalp causes dandruff as the dead skin cells accumulate and flake out. It is often escalated due to frequent shifts in the temperature, i.e., hot showers and exposure to cold outdoors.

Herbal Solution:

• Fenugreek: Fenugreek has been used to treat scalp conditions, skin, irritation, flakiness, and dandruff.

How to Use: Mix 2 tbsp of fenugreek powder with curd or water to make a smooth paste. Apply it to your scalp and massage it in a circular motion. Keep it on and wash it off after 30 minutes.

• Rosemary: Rosemary not only helps boost hair growth, but it also helps reduce dandruff by stimulating circulation and supporting scalp hydration.

How to Use: Mix a few drops of rosemary oil with coconut oil or argan oil and apply it to your scalp and hair strands. Keep it overnight or wash it off after 2 hours.

• Bhringraj: Bhringraj's antimicrobial properties help control dandruff and keep the scalp healthy.

How to Use: Make a thick hair mask using bhringraj powder with curd and apply it to your scalp. Wash it off after 30 minutes.

3. Split Ends and Breakage

The shift in temperature and cold air weakens the hair strands, making it vulnerable to split ends and breakage.

Herbal Solutions:

• Coconut Oil: Coconut oil deeply penetrates the hair shaft, preventing protein and moisture loss. It helps prevent split ends and breakage.

How to Use: Work a small amount of coconut oil between your palms and apply it to your scalp and hair. Leave it on for 2 hours or overnight before washing it off.

• Amla: Amla is a rich source of vitamin C and antioxidants that help strengthen hair follicles, reduce split ends, reduce dandruff, and prevent hair loss.

How to Use: Mix 2 tbsp of amla powder with 1 tbsp of aritha powder and curd to make a paste. Apply it to your scalp and hair for full coverage. Wash it off after 30 minutes.

• Shea Butter: Shea butter is packed with vitamins A & E, essential for maintaining hair strength and preventing breakage. It adds shine and softness to your hair by sealing in the moisture.

How to Use: Take a small amount of softened shea butter and work it in your fingers; apply it directly to the ends of your hair. You can leave it overnight or wash it after 2-3 hours.

4. Frizz & static

With the decreased moisture in the air and indoor ways of heating, your hair tends to lose its natural moisture and smoothness, contributing to frizzy hair. Additionally, woolen clothes and hats increase the static buildup, making it difficult to style and manage.

Herbal Solution:

• Argan Oil: Argan oil can help reinstate your hair's lost moisture and hydrate your scalp and hair strands. It also helps tame frizzy hair because of its vitamin E and fatty acid content.

How to Use: Apply the argan oil directly to your scalp and hair. Leave it on overnight and wash it with a mild shampoo.

• Hibiscus: Hibiscus has natural conditioning properties that smoothen the hair locks and reduce frizz.

How to Use: Make a hair mask using hibiscus powder and water. Apply it to our scalp and hair. Wash it off after 30 minutes using a mild shampoo and conditioner if necessary.

• Lavender Oil: Lavender oil helps calm the static charge and smooths frizz with a lightweight and hydrating effect.

How to Use: Take your usual shampoo in your hand and add 2 drops of lavender oil to it. Mix well and apply it to your hair and massage for 3-4 minutes. Rinse it as usual.

Conclusion

Winter season is beautiful but it can also bring numerous hair problems and with the right care and attention, you can protect your hair from the harsh effects of this season. Focus on keeping your hair and scalp hydrated and moisturized throughout the season; which also doesn't mean layering it with oils every other day. Include protein and fiber-rich foods to your diet and you are all set to enjoy this chilly weather!

FAQs

• How often should I wash my hair in winter?

You can wash your hair 2-3 times a week to prevent moisture loss and stripping off your scalp's natural oils.

• Which products should be avoided in the winter season for good hair health?

Avoid sulfate and alcohol-based products, these are anyway harmful to your hair and scalp and can increasingly damage your hair during the winter season by drying it out.

• Should I eat any specific foods for better winter hair health?

Include foods in your diet that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, B6, B12, and E, zinc, and folic acids. Foods like nuts and seeds, sweet potato, carrots, spinach, and guava are good.

• Can I use warm water for hair wash?

While it is soothing and comforting to use warm water in the winter season, it can zap moisture from your hair. Try using room temperature water for hair wash.