It makes sense that, like our skin, our hair is going to change with the seasons. But what does this mean in winter, when there’s a nip in the air and indoor heating starts blazing? Usually, the result is a dried-up scalp and locks that are in desperate need of moisture – with split ends and frazzled flyaways to follow.
In this guide, we’ll share our expert advice on winter care for hair.
You read right! The Rossano Ferretti Parma team is about to share a few trade secrets. We’re going to teach you how to take care of hair in winter at home, thanks to the 30 plus years of haircare expertise of our #RFArtists!
But first, let’s answer one question –
Why should your haircare change in the Winter?
The peaceful winter months can calm your soul – but they can wreak havoc on your hair! Why? Well, combine cold, windy air with artificial heaters and radiators, and you have a recipe for disaster! This dry, temperamental air can suck the moisture (and sometimes the life) out of your strands, leaving your locks brittle, vulnerable to static, and dull.
For healthy hair that boosts your confidence so that you can radiate even when the sun isn’t, we suggest that you place extra emphasis on your winter hair care routine.
6 tips on how to take care of hair in winter season
Let us show you how to care for dry hair in winter – we’ve got a whole list of routine ideas. From our best natural shampoos and conditioners to replenishing hair masks and treatments, we’ll help you to nourish and smooth out those locks even when winter is at its harshest.
Here we go!:
1. Look after your scalp
The combination of central heating and frosty weather can strip away moisture from your scalp, leaving it dry and possibly flaky. It makes sense that you’d want to take extra care of the skin on your head during this season.
Enter our Scalp Scrub from the Prodigio collection. This luxury shampoo scrub removes impurities and dead skin cells, shaking those flakes and soothing your scalp from the get-go. Use it just once a week as a replacement for your regular shampoo to keep your scalp nourished and moisturised (without having to deal with excess oils and oily hair).
Read our useful article on how to get rid of a flaky scalp here.
2. Take It Easy on The Shampoo
When we notice we have flakes in our hair (we’re not talking pretty snowflakes – it’s the bothersome dry skin type), we tend to wash our hair more often to try to get rid of them. But this is a big mistake.
Your scalp is really good at regulating its environment, if given the chance. The more you wash your hair, the more you strip your scalp of its natural oils – oils that work wonders at moisturising your skin and hair to protect it from the onset of loose, itchy skin patches that cause flaky skin,
Since you won’t be sweating as much as you did in summer, washing your hair less often shouldn’t be too difficult. You can always use a quality dry shampoo in between washes to keep your locks clean and refreshed.
We’d also like to suggest Vita Rejuvenating Shampoo for when you do cleanse your hair. Inspired by the autumn rains revitalising the Tuscany countryside – this is a shampoo that has been uniquely formulated to bring life to hair that may just be exhausted from summer’s antics.
3. Avoid heat styling your hair every day
Heated curling wands, straighteners, and hairdryers are all culprits in creating or worsening dry hair in winter. The hot temperatures of these tools play havoc with hair’s moisture levels. In a nutshell, they cause the water in our hair to evaporate, leaving locks unprotected from further moisture loss. The dryer hair is, the more susceptible it is to split ends and breakages. Dehydrated hair also tends to lose its lustre and shine.
Try to let your hair dry and set as naturally as possible for the best winter hair care. But, seeing as banishing heated styling tools altogether can prove tricky during the party season, make sure hair is given extra hydration and moisture with the Brillante Protect & Shine Oil.
4. Don’t leave the house with wet hair
That “old wives’ tale” that says you shouldn’t go outside with wet hair – it has substance. When hair is wet, it’s more vulnerable. Why? The water droplets left on your hair can freeze in freezing temperatures, this causes them to swell and as they do, they stretch the hair shaft. This can leave your locks tender and exposed to the elements. The result – broken, frizzy, and colour-faded hair.
Oh, and one other thing – try to avoid abrasively brushing your tresses when they’re wet. Wet hair is weaker, and it needs to be handled with care. Gently squeeze out all excess water with a towel or a cotton shirt (not rough-drying) and use a detangling brush to gently brush from the ends moving upwards.
5. Treat your hair with a nourishing mask
When the snow blankets the ground and the cold quiets the night, relax and treat yourself to an indulgent hair mask. Regardless of what condition your hair is in, or your natural hair texture, applying a weekly hair mask will help to combat winter hair, leaving your locks silky, glossy, and optimally healthy.
If you have normal to dry hair, try our Dolce Repair and Nourish Mask. Enriched with natural ingredients including shea butter, fruit oils, keratin, and Hyaluronic acid, this mask de-stresses and softens locks for more manageable hair.
If you want to take care of thick or coily hair in winter, choose our moisturising and replenishing Intenso Smoothing Hair Mask. This mask is designed to tame thick hair that is coarse and unruly in winter and summer.
For greying or thinning hair or hair that’s had its fair share of wear and tear during summer, use our rejuvenating Vita Mask – it’s an award-winning hit!
6. Don’t shower in water that’s too hot or too cold
Though it might be tempting to turn up the temperature when it’s nippy outside, very hot water temperatures aren’t going to do your locks any favours. Hot water can strip those all-important natural oils from your scalp, leaving your strands weak and prone to breakage. Hot water can also make any colour treatments fade faster.
Very cold water can be just as harsh on your hair as a matter of fact.
So, like Goldilocks, make sure you get that temperature just right! Lukewarm water is comforting and gentle on hair.
You may also want to consider cutting back on the number of hair-washes you’re getting in any one week. Leave a day or two between washes so that your strands have time to soak in natural oils produced by your scalp, replenishing themselves from the inside out!
Tip: Apply a pre-wash treatment mask to your hair to protect and nourish your locks in one go.
7. Take a break from wearing hats every day
We know that woolly winter hats are cute – but your hair might not find them as appealing. As your head warms up under your hat, your natural waxy oils become more fluid, which can create greasy locks. On the other hand, if your hair lacks moisture, some fabrics can create static hair, leaving you with unruly flyaways.
To help prevent this, make sure your hair is well hydrated. Case in point for our weekly hair mask. And, if you feel that you can’t head out the door without your cosy hat on – that’s OK! What you can do is line the inner part of the hat with silk. This will reduce friction and help to keep your locks smooth and static-free.
Knowing how to care for natural hair in the winter is what will help you to maintain beautiful hair that shines throughout the year. You’re SO worth the extra effort!