Columnist Haadiza Ogwude recommends ways to keep your hair healthy and looking good despite the cold weather.
After discussing dry skin last week, I thought it might be beneficial to share some tips for combatting dry hair with you. For many people, there is a stigma about being too oily, whether its your skin or hair. However, I believe that it is very difficult to be over-moisturized, especially in the winter. Winter weather is brutal and can really take the shine and luster right out of your body, so it is your duty to make sure your body maintains a healthy glow during these winter months.
Icy, dry air, as well as blow drying can leave your hair dry and brittle, often causing split ends, frizz and breakage. But there are products and techniques that exist to help prevent horrible hair days.
In the winter, leaving the house with wet hair is brutal and blow drying your hair is not ideal. I recommend letting it air-dry overnight. If you must blow dry your hair, I suggest patting your hair down as much as you can with a towel beforehand to get out a lot of the wetness.
If you have thick or coarse hair, it is very important that you deep condition your hair, or use a thick conditioning treatment once or twice a week. Thick, coarse hair often holds the majority of its oils at the roots, which can leave the rest of the hair dry. So, it is very important that the conditioner sets in the hair for about a half an hour.
For thinner hair, the deep conditioners might be too heavy for your hair type. I would recommend using a quality brand regular conditioner. If you still find that your hair could use the added conditioner, I would try leave-in sprays and creams.
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If you have read any of my previous columns, you know one thing I absolutely swear by is oil, especially coconut and argan oils. I recommend that people of all hair textures rub a dot of oil in their hair, from root to tip, after and between every wash. When changing products to accommodate the winter weather, stay away from any alcohol-based products that can dry out your locks. That includes any hair fragrances.
If you find that your hair is already becoming damaged, or you really want to take preventative steps in ensuring that your hair remains healthy and revitalized, I recommend using shea butter products. I personally love the Shea Moisture products, especially its moisture retention shampoo. The brand has a wide range of products that cater to black hair and other naturally thick, coarse and curly hair types. Of course, there are many shea butter products out there to suit many other hair types as well.
During the winter season, our bodies and hair take a beating from the dry, cold air. However, don’t just let your hair fall lifeless at your shoulders. There are many products and techniques you can put into your everyday routine that will keep you locks full of life and luster.
Haadiza Ogwude is a sophomore studying journalism. How do you combat dry skin in the winter? Tweet Haadiza @AdoreHaadiza or email her at ho299413@ohio.edu.
