Weather warnings have been issued across Scotland and the UK with temperatures plunging predicted to fall as low as -16C in some areas.
It’s well known that cold weather can affect your skin. But what about your hair? From brittle breakage to an increase in dandruff, your hair can suffer in many ways during an icy or snowy spell.
To keep on top of your hair and scalp health, celebrity hair experts have shared their top tips for managing and protecting your locks throughout this icy snap.
How low temperatures affect your hair
A dramatic drop in temperature can do quite some damage to your hair, due to quick changes from the freezing outdoors to indoor central heating.
“The problem in the winter is that the moisture in the atmosphere is forced out towards cold surfaces, which is why you get condensation on windows,” explains Davina McCall’s stylist and hair expert, Michael Douglas. “This moisture, that is usually in the atmosphere at other times of the year, helps to keep your hair in check.”
“It plays a large part in keeping static electricity at bay, and also keeping your hair feeling generally softer to the touch and more moisturised.
“Therefore in the winter, your hair can often feel dry, brittle and not so well-behaved. So, using some products that moisturise the hair, such as a hair oil or a hair mask, will help make the hair feel and behave better,” says Douglas.
The cold weather’s impact on scalp health and dandruff
“Environmental fluctuations like cold weather are external aggravators for dry and flaky scalps,” explains Philip Kingsley’s trichologist, Anabel Kingsley.
“Our scalp is home to our hair follicles, so its overall condition is highly important to healthy hair growth,” says Kingsley. “Flaking of the scalp can cause hair loss and also impact the quality of hairs we’re producing.
“A dry scalp – unlike dandruff which is an oily scalp condition – occurs when the top layer of skin (the epidermis) lacks moisture (water).”
To moisturise the scalp, Kingsley recommends rehydrating with a water-based toner to cool and soothe the scalp, and provide relief from itchiness.
“Revive and refresh your scalp by using a weekly exfoliating scalp mask, and a nightly balancing serum,” says Kingsley.
How to prevent breakage, frizz and dullness
The risks of breakages, frizz, and dull looking hair increase during cold and dry weather.
The key to strong and healthy hair lies in protein-based products, which heal your hair and improve it’s stability, says celebrity hairdresser Jon Hala, the brains behind Keira Knightley’s luscious locks in Black Doves.
“I’d recommend using a moisturising masque to keep all the goodness in your hair and help heal the results of the cold, dry weather snaps. You can also consider looking at your supplements as this will help your hair too, in particular Biotin.
“To prevent frizz, opt for light weightless serums and leave-in conditioners to base and coat the hair after the wash process. This will help smooth cuticles and add moisture and shine,” explains Hala.
If you’re particularly struggling with frizz throughout winter, “small changes to your daily routine, like switching to a silk or satin pillowcase, can make a big difference,” says Milk & Blush‘s hair expert Nicole Petty. “These materials cause less friction than cotton, helping your hair stay silky and reducing breakage while you sleep.”
Should you adjust your washing and styling routine?
You may find yourself wanting to lessen the frequency of hair wash days so you don’t have to deal with cold, damp hair .
“What we always recommend, especially for clients who wash their hair in the mornings and then go out of the house in the cold, is to instead shampoo their hair in the evening so they’re not going outside with any level of wet hair – because that’s when it becomes really fragile,” explains lead hairdresser for the BAFTAs and former London Hairdresser of the Year, Philipp Haug.
“Even when you think your hair is dry there’s still a lot of moisture in it, which is very sensitive to the cold,” says Haug.
“Reduce using heated tools when the weather is cold as hair is already more fragile, and if you do use them, use them on the lowest possible heat.
“Hold your blow-dryer at least six inches away from your hair, use a vented brush to help with heat dissipation, and apply a good heat protective spray or serum beforehand,” says Kingsley.
“Also, turn the heat off when your hair is ‘just dry’ – don’t go over areas repeatedly to smooth. If you find your hair is still frizzy after drying, try applying an anti-frizz serum before (and after) to help combat fly-aways.”
What to avoid at all costs
Hot showers can do more harm than good, even if it’s tempting after being out in the cold.
“Don’t wash the hair with hot, hot water,” says RUSH Hair‘s editorial director Tina Farey. “Instead opt for lukewarm. Hot water has the same effects as hot air on the hair, opt for lukewarm which is much kinder to the hair.
“If you are experiencing a dry scalp, it may be tempting to use oils to help moisturise,” says Kingsley. “DO NOT however, apply oils directly to the scalp.
“This can cause adverse scalp issues, such as dandruff. Every hair follicle on your scalp has an oil gland attached to it, the oils help to also keep your scalp supple, and your oils glands are continually producing sebum therefore you do not need to compensate for this,” she explains.
“However, if not cleansed frequently, the sebum on your scalp can harbour bacteria, dead skin cells and sweat which can cause an imbalance in the scalp’s microbiome and an overgrowth of Malassezia yeast – the root cause of dandruff.”
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