Tips to reduce hair breakage this winter

Dry and brittle hair, flaky scalp and sticky tresses are common occurrences this time of the year, all thanks to the cold spell. Bidisha Dip, a trichologist, says, “Hair is vulnerable to damage because of changes in the environment. Loss of moisture, exposure to dry air and not giving due importance to a haircare regimen are some of the reasons why you end up with damaged hair.” Some simple tricks and a little TLC will ensure your locks don’t lose their lustre this season.

Condition More Than You Shampoo

Even if you are hard-pressed for time, make sure you condition at least once every alternate day because it’s dry hair that breaks easily . Alaynna Angami, a beautician, says, “Avoid shampooing your hair every day because the chemical ingredients will only do more damage in this weather. Instead, use an intensive conditioner regularly. Cold weather absorbs all the moisture in the hair. So, when you are choosing products, look for those that can retain it. You can also use leave-in conditioners.”

Massage Your Scalp And Oil Your Ends

While a good scalp massage will help you cleanse flakes and dandruff, oiling your strands will control split ends and boost volume. Bidisha says, “A good massage boosts blood flow to scalp and encourages hair growth. Use oils that are thick and viscous, like castor, olive, jojoba or almond.”

Sleep On Silk

Wrap your hair in a silk or satin scarf when you hit the sack. Divya Raj, a primary teacher, says, “Satin can actually prevent friction between the hair and pillowcase. So, I braid my daughter’s hair till the ends and wrap it in a silk scarf. The hair fall has visibly reduced.”

Trim Once In Six Weeks

At least in the cold climes, it’s advisable to trim the ends of your hair once in six months. Alaynna adds, “We suggest people to come in for a trim once in 10 weeks. But during this season, it’s recommended to go for a trimming session once in six weeks because it’s a great way to keep the ends from splitting.”

Protect Hair From Heat

Avoid using heat on hair And that includes hot water, curling irons, straightener, even hair dryers. While hot water dries the tresses, hot air sucks away all the moisture.

Don’t Leave Your Hair Wet

Towel dry your locks before stepping out of home. Stepping out of home in the cold with wet hair not only breaks them, but also gives you a cold!

Keep Your Tresses Covered

Style your hair such that the ends are a l w a y s tucked in.Preferably, twist them into buns so that the strands are h i d d e n from cold.This helps in reducing loss of moisture.Gauri S, a sales executive, says, “I wear a soft scarf when I’m stepping out. If I’m wearing woollen, then I’m doubly sure that my hair doesn’t come in contact with the material. Because wool is rough, it can cause a lot of damage to delicate hair strands.”