December, January, February... yeah, still winter! But how does it affect our hair and skin, and can we avoid what does happen? Well, read on to find out M-A Hairdressings top tips on caring for your hair and skin during the cold winter months…
Now, many of us think too much moisture can be a bad thing but honestly, in winter there's good and not so good types of moisture. You want moisture that hydrates and nourishes the body leaving us feeling smooth, soft, healthy, and glowing.
During the winter we like to be all cosy and warm but at what cost? Hair and skin moisture levels can be sucked out of the air by heating and air conditioning, and environmental factors such as the cold, dry winter air, which can play havoc on the skin. Mist, wind, and rain brings humidity and, in some instances, can cause brittleness in the hair, which is caused by broken hydrogen bonds that have become malleable and formed untamed when dried.
Winter Hair Care
To keep your hair healthy during winter, we highly recommend using hydrating shampoos or a highly concentrated repair/colour save shampoo (Tip: most professional products contain a levelled amount of moisture within these too) and swapping your conditioner for a mask to use more frequently. If you have coarse or extremely long hair, we recommend using a more impactful treatment on every cleanse to help nourish with more effect. However, to stop moisture overload listen to your stylist’s advice and tackle two areas of concern such as colour and hydration for brunettes and redheads, or repair and hydration for blondes and finer hair types.
Want to lock in that style and keep smoother shinier hair?
We would also recommend you use a styling or prep product which is recommended for your hair type and/or needs by your stylist. Did you know? The average skin/makeup routine contains around 12 products, yet for hair styling the average is just three! One thing we get asked frequently is, how long will this product last? And the answer honestly is, the same as a non-professional product. Yes, they are more concentrated, yes, they do make the internal and external structure of your hair smoother, nourished and stronger but depending how the products are used depends on the longevity.
Winter Skin Care
Dry skin occurs when it can't retain its moisture, so by using moisturisers we create a great source of hydration. Massaging into the skin you push the product into your dermis and create a barrier for natural moisture. Moisturisers that rehydrate the top layer of skin cells and seal in the moisture are the first step. These contain three main types of ingredients: Humectants, which help attract moisture, silicones and mineral oils to help seal moisture within the skin, whilst emollients help smooth the skin by filling in the spaces between cracks and gaps. (Tip: Using a humidifier in the winter should be sufficient to replenish the top layer of the skin and if used with essential oils can be great for the mind and soul too.)
What are the best products to use?
We recommend using a skin ratio set by your therapist, but setting that aside, a great household item to help moisturise is petroleum jelly, although it's greasy we would recommend applying a small layer and applying it to all areas of dry or patchy skin, gently pressing into the areas and repeat twice daily or as when required.