6 Easy Steps to Tackle it

Nippy winds are blowing and the woollens are being aired. It is that time of the year when parties, weddings and picnics cloud your engagement calendar. However, winter can cause bad hair days.

Let’s take a look at a scenario.

You are getting ready for a glam winter party and want to look your best. You groom yourself, get a facial done, a hair wash and maybe use a hair styling procedure. But the moment you return home from the parlour, the hair refuses to stay in shape. It becomes unmanageable and frizzy and sticks out in an unruly manner. Your hairstyle goes for a toss, and now you have to deal with the additional headache of frizzy, dry hair.

Sounds familiar?

Now, what causes Frizzy Hair?

Frizzy hair is a bane for many in winter. For some unfortunate ones, it lasts throughout the year. Frizzy Hair can cause ‘bad hair days’ followed by sleepless nights!  

And now that the cold, dry season is here, the problem gets worse.

The good news is that you can actually tame this ‘hair-raising’ problem! 

So, let’s get to know what causes frizzy hair, and how it aggravates it. Let’s talk about managing frizzy hair in winter by using simple home remedies and lifestyle modifications that won’t break the bank!

Our hair is protected by an outer layer that reflects light and maintains natural oils. However, if the outer layer is damaged or breaks down, the hair appears frizzy and dull.

Do you know that something as simple as a hot shower can aggravate frizz or a straightening or colouring treatment that you have spent huge bucks on?

Common Causes of Frizzy Hair

Extremely dry climatic conditions, lack of humidity in the air, spending excessive time outdoors in the sun and wind, or swimming in chlorine-filled swimming pools can damage hair, leading to dryness.

Frizz can get worse from our bad hair care habits. Are you doing these?

• During winter, we use the geyser. Washing hair in hot water removes whatever moisture and oils it has, leaving it brittle.
• That lovely hairdo, which costs you a lot of money, demands a huge load of chemical-laden sprays/gels/colouring agents. Do you know how damaging these products can be if used wrongly or frequently?
• Got your hair straightened? Heat-based hair styling treatments make your hair brittle. You need to nourish it with extra oils and serums.
• Blow-drying hair frequently or from a close range also makes it drier.

Besides the above, Dandruff, Malnutrition, Anaemia, Thyroid, Menopause, Psoriasis and many other medical conditions aggravate dryness and frizz. If you also have issues like eating disorders, and deficiency of Calcium and Vitamin D, get an appointment with the doctor. Don’t try any remedy without tackling the underlying medical issues.

If it’s winter dryness that’s worsening your hair quality and making it look like a bird’s nest, read on to know how to tackle it.

6 Easy Home-based Treatments for Dry Hair

Your kitchen and garden have plenty of natural hair-taming stuff that won’t create magic overnight. With continuous use, they can help keep your frizzy hair in control. 

Try any of these: 

• Coconut/ Olive/ Almond/ Argan Oil – warm these a little and apply for at least an hour before washing off with a mild shampoo 
• Always use a serum or oil before using a hair dryer or straightener on your hair. Try to dry hair naturally without using a hair dryer. If you choose to use it, keep it away from the scalp and use it in warm mode.
• Avocado is rich in Vitamins E and A and helps hydrate your hair. Mash half an avocado and apply. Wash it off with mild shampoo.
• Yoghurt is a rich hydrating product that can do wonders to restore moisture. Mix two tablespoons of yoghurt with olive or coconut oil, and apply. Wash it off half an hour later.
• Ripe bananas have excellent moisture-restoring properties. Mash an overripe banana, mix with a tablespoon of olive/coconut oil and apply. Wash it off thoroughly an hour later with a natural shampoo.
• Fenugreek seeds are extremely rich in folic acid, and vitamins A, K & C help treat dryness and thinning of hair, while intensely hydrating your hair and strengthening the roots. Soak them overnight, boil them in little water, strain them and mix them with oil and apply.

Important!!

• Cut down on shampooing. In winter, you don’t sweat that much. Your hair can do with less shampoo. Use a dry shampoo occasionally if you want to style your hair.
• Massage your scalp with natural oils in a gentle circular motion before washing.
• Use a mild shampoo that has natural ingredients like olive oil, Aloe Vera avocado, papaya etc which are gentle on the hair. Avoid ingredients like Reetha and Henna as they dry the hair further. 
• Always condition after washing, so that moisture loss can be minimized. Use a fruit oil-based conditioner.
• Once a week, use a deep-moisturizing hair mask.
• Treat hair gently. Don’t dry roughly or comb while wet.

 And never do this:

• Use hot water to wash your hair. Tepid or lukewarm water is okay, but cold water is the best.
• Overdo hair straightening/perming/colouring procedures

Fikr not, frizzy hair is not the end of the world to look good. Try these hacks and see for yourself.

Protect yourself from bad hair days!

Wish you manageable hair this winter!

By Barnali Roy

Presently a Blogger and Content Writer, Barnali Roy has been a corporate employee and faculty for Business Communication, HR, and Soft Skills in the past. An avid reader, cine-lover, foodie, crossword and travel enthusiast, she writes on diverse niches ranging from food and health, to motivation, emotional growth and self-development. She can be contacted at barnaliroy18@gmail.com