Baby, it’s cold outside. And while all that heat your furnace is pumping out might keep you nice and toasty, it can also leave you with dry, itchy skin and scalp, not to mention static-plagued hair. What can you do to combat these common cold weather hair problems? Read on to find out.

Dry, Itchy Scalp

Your scalp is just as susceptible to dryness from low humidity and cold just as your skin. However, unlike your skin, you can’t simply slather on the lotion to get relief from the itching and flaking. Here’s what you can do instead:

• Shampoo less often to maintain as much natural oil on your scalp as possible. Thick, coarse hair can wait a week between washes while thinner, fine hair can stretch to two or three days If it’s difficult to go that long, try rinsing your hair with lukewarm water and apply a conditioner to the mid-shafts and ends of hair for that just-washed feeling without the drying effects.
• Soothe and hydrate the scalp with a weekly scalp mask. Shampoo after applying the mask and message it with your fingertips to loosen dead skin and allow the ingredients in the mask to penetrate.

Dry and Brittle Hair

The combination of cold air outside and dry indoor air depletes your hair and skin of its natural moisture. If you enjoy hot, steamy showers, that only makes matters worse, as does using cleansing and styling products containing sulfates and other harsh ingredients that strip your hair of moisture and can cause it to become brittle. To help reduce the damage, follow these tips:

• Check product labels to avoid sulfates, parabens, harsh detergents, alcohol, and other ingredients that can dry out your hair. Choose products that are moisturizing and hydrating and formulated for your hair type.
• Once again, stretch the time between washes to lock in natural oils that keep hair hydrated. Use a dry shampoo formulated with clean ingredients to refresh your roots between washes.
• When washing your hair, turn down the water temp down to lukewarm or slightly above. This will help keep your skin moist, too.

Static and Fly-Aways

Exposing hair to dry, cold air can create an electrical charge. You’ve witnessed the effect when taking off your hat indoors.

• Hydrated hair is heavier and more difficult to lift, so using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner can help reduce static and fly-aways.
• Swap out your regular comb and hairbrush for a metal comb to combat static.
• Add a heat protecting product before heat styling. Better yet, apply a leave-in conditioner and let hair dry naturally, then style gently with a wand or flat iron on the lowest hat setting.
• For on the go fixes, rub a small drop of face or hand lotion between your palms and gently pat down fly-away strands being sure to avoid the roots. Or use a spritz of hairspray or run an anti-frizz hair sheet over the hair’s top layer to tame static.

Who know it would take this much work and attention to detail to wash away the winter blues? But hey, at least you still have all your hair…or do you? If things are thinning out a little or you have plain-to-see bald spots, join the many people in the same boat and contact DiStefano Hair Restoration Center. We have multiple ways to restore your head of hair to its natural glory, and we’re eager to tell you all about them.