Allowing wind to whip past your strands in the cooler months is asking for trouble. It will leave your hair dry and brittle which leads to breakage. Rather than being a victim of circumstance, you must take control of the situation to maintain a healthy head of hair. Let’s discuss 5 ways to protect your hair to prevent hair breakage during the winter.
Related Article: How To Winterize Your Hair Care Regimen
How to Prevent Hair Breakage During the Winter
Moisturize and Seal
Moisturizing and sealing is one of the basics you learn at the start of your healthy hair journey. Moisturizing simply means to apply a water based product to your hair and sealing simply means following up with an oil based product to seal (or lock) in the moisture. Moisturizing and sealing is an important technique to keeping the hair healthy and hydrated. Visit Jay’s Faves for product recommendations.
Related Article: How to Repair Dry Relaxed Hair
Protective Style
Protective styling is not for everyone but it a great way to keep your hair protected from the wind and other environmental factors. I love wearing wigs, buns, braids and twists.
If you are absolutely against protective styling, then you should protect your hair with scarves or beanies while traveling to and from locations at a minimum.
Related Article: 5 Tips to Avoid Damage While In A Protective Style
Learn 5 Ways to Keep Your Hair Protected & Free From Breakage This Winter! Click To TweetWear a Satin or Silk Lined Beanie
Beanies are great way to protect your hair as you travel to and from. While beanies can be worn a number of ways, I find myself opting for the same two looks and that is, all of my hair pulled up in the beanie with no hair showing whatsoever or allowing a little to hang down from under the beanie as shown below. There really is no right or wrong!
Use Coupon Code “RH10off” for 10% off satin lined beanies at the The Obsessed Crocheter
Although I have a box full of beanies, my favorites are chunky beanies with silk and/or satin lining. The chunky beanie not only looks better (on my big head) but it offers additional comfort and coverage. The lining offers warmth as well as protection against friction (of the beanie) on the hair.
If you are wearing a beanie that is not silk or satin lined, you should protect your hair against friction by wearing a scarf underneath. Otherwise, the beanie will cause friction, dry out your hair and possibly lead to damage.
Related Article: Silk vs. Satin Scarf, Which Should You Use?
Use Protein As Needed
Protein is known for adding strength to the hair but are you aware that protein provides the hair structure, thereby allowing it to hold on to moisture better? Therefore, using protein in the winter is a must to ensure your hair is capable of accepting the moisture you feed it on wash day and throughout the week.
Deep Condition Frequently
Gone are the days when I wash my hair weekly. However, I always give my hair a good deep conditioning session on wash day. I always use a moisture based deep conditioner with my Hot Head Deep Conditioning Cap for 30 minutes to replenish the hair with moisture.
This is definitely going to be an interesting season. I’m sticking to buns and braiding my own hair.
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I envy you…you can braid? That’s dope. I can do individual plaits but I am not great at cornrows.
Great ideas! I need to get on the satin lined beanies for real. I’ve seen many tutorials to create them, so I’ll opt for that instead of purchasing
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Great idea! I think it’s just a matter of stitching in a liner. I don’t even think you have to stitch it in all around the hat…just stitch two or three key areas to secure the liner to the hat and you’re done! JoAnn’s fabrics is a great place to start for your liner.
Thanks for sharing these tips. I’m seriously considering having a weave installed soon to see me through winter months (wigs give me a headache for some reason). I’ve done my research on caring for my hair under the weave. I ll look for satin lined hats too.
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Pretty Anntoinets (sp) sells silk lined hats but she’s been out of stock of black for what feels like FOREVER! I really want one of those. I’ve never had a weave but would love one. I think it would be easier than a wig in a lot of ways….including zero headaches.
Great ideas I have two heads of hair to care for and since I did such a bad job with hair maintenance last year, I vowed to do better this year and I’ll take all winter hair care tips I can! I was planning on keeping our hair flat ironed, in buns, and braided this winter.
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It’s hard caring for one head so I know having two heads is just flat out exhausting. I would love to get some braids this winter.
Since you don’t wash your hair weekly, do you deep condition weekly? Or only deep condition whenever you wash? If so, do you co-wash in between wash days? Generally how long do you go without washing your hair?
Hi Ses! I only co-wash when it’s wash day and 1) my hair is low on hydration or 2) I don’t have time to do a full regimen. Otherwise, I never co-wash. I go about a month without washing my hair and my hair (and scalp) hasn’t suffered from it in any way. However, I’m wearing wigs so it’s not like I globbing on loads of product daily. And, my hair isn’t taking a beating from outside temps. So, going a month without washing works for me right now. When my hair is out, flowing in the wind, I have to wash it more often.
Hey BLM Girl! I think I’m gonna reintroduce myself to wigs in the new year. I’ve been seeing a lot of cute ones lately. I’d like to experiment with a short cut. In the meantime, some protective braiding is much needed. I’m dealing with colder weather and postpartum shedding 🙁 Hey those satin lined beanies are cute and functional. Adding to my wishlist.
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DIY satin lined cap is on my To Do List. I got the knit hat, satin bonnet and fabric glue. I’ll add a few stitches to secure it. I need to watch the video a couple more times.
Show & tell please! I’d love to see the finished masterpiece!
I will be using Youtuber, Summer Kellsey’s, DIY Satin Lined Beanie – Frizz Free Hat Hair! video as a guide. If I manage to do it right, I’ll let you know. I’ve been able to put it off since it’s not cold yet. I’m in Michigan and it’s been near 60 degrees for the past few days.
I’m in Florida and it’s been nice here also. I’ve worn a light jacket a few days here and there. It actually got cold enough for boots a few days but that was short lived. Enjoy the warmth while it lasts. I’m sure we’ll get our fair share of cold in Jan/Feb.
Thanks so much for this article! I just started texturizing. Already I’m realizing how dry my hair is and how much moisture the hair still needs.
I hope your hair is feeling a tad bit more moisturized now.
I need one of those satin lined beanies. Super cute. I just throw anything on my head and I definitely need to be looking out for my hair a little more
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I wish I could throw anything on and be ok. My hair ends up very dry with anything other than silk or satin.
i’m big on protective styling. I live in braids and sew-in weaves.
I want a sew-in. They look so realistic.
These are great tips. I’ve found that the LCO order works better on my boys hair. I need some of those satin lined beanies myself. I’m so tired of having so much hair, I just want to stuff my locs in a hat.
I bet your locs look amazing although you’re tired of having so much hair. Do you plan to cut them at some point?