Frizzy hair can happen in the winter because of a lack of moisture from the cold winter air and the overuse of heated tools. Frizzy hair in winter is likely the result of dry hair swelling and curling as it absorbs moisture from the air creating the frizz.
It is similar to static hair which is caused by the static electricity build up from wearing winter hats and from scarves rubbing against your locks. Because beanie caps and other static conducting materials are worn in winter, static hair may be more common in this season.
If you suffer from frizzy hair in the winter, we have good news as there are solutions. It all starts with determining the cause of the frizz which could be a result of your daily routine.
Change Your Routine to Reduce Heated Tools
If you shower in the mornings and have to use a hair dryer to make it to work or school on time, don’t skip on a pre-treatment or moisturizer. If you follow up with a curling or flat iron, the heat protectant is even more important as you’ve increased the dehydration and potential damage through the additional heated tools.
The other option is to take showers at a time where you can let your hair dry naturally like in the evening. You can also use a microfiber towel, or an option with less friction than cotton so you have less chance of breaking strands that are dry and brittle.
The Dry Winter Air
You cannot change the climate or control the weather, but you can add moisturizers to your routines and change up your styles so less heated tools are needed. The goal is to keep your locks moisturized and hydrated so they don’t have to absorb the moisture from the air which will then cause them to frizz.
Things you can do to help prevent winter frizz include:
- Use hair oils like argan oil and vitamin E oil which can penetrate the cuticle layer and moisturize from the inside out.
- Knowing how often to wash your hair can help you not overdo it, and this helps reduce the moisture lost from hot water and overdoing it.
- Switch to silk pillow cases over cotton as this fabric is less likely to absorb the moisture and cause frizziness, according to this article.
- Switching hairstyles so you don’t use heated tools regularly means you’re drying your locks out less often. And when you want curls, try heatless curls so you can get the look you desire without the damage from an iron.
