Unlock The Secret To Healthy Hair in Autumn and Winter – Mummascribbles

This is a collaborative post

I recently chopped lots of my hair off. I’d been growing it for so long for the wedding and I knew at the first opportunity after the big day, I’d chop it off. It’s now quite short, looks much better, and feels much healthier. I was a bit worried about going short again because it is a lot harder to look after. When it was long I just shoved it into a topknot daily…perfect for school runs but I wasn’t a fan. I think hair is one of the first things people notice about you and I always felt like I looked like I couldn’t be bothered to do anything with mine!

Now it takes a bit more styling and with it being the autumn/winter season, it doesn’t always play ball – something that many of us struggle with. There are steps that we can take though, to ensure that our hair continues to look healthy, shiny and beautiful throughout these tougher months. Your hair can be exposed to many elements that can weaken and affect its shine and strength, so if you are worried about brittle or dry hair this winter, this post is for you!

Exercising is Good for Your Hair

The first thing that comes to mind when you think of working out is likely to be weight loss or weight management. There is no denying that staying active during the colder months will help to keep weight gain at bay. We tend to prefer more hearty meals and we snack a lot more during the winter months too. I’m already finding myself eating more frequently and drinking more tea to stay warm throughout the day!

So while you do your winter exercises, know that it is helping your hair at the same time. Saying active can give your hair an extra boost as exercising increases blood circulation which enables more oxygen and nutrients to get to your scalp, stimulating and enriching the hair follicles. Working out is also an excellent stress-relief solution and we all know that stress affects our health and appearance. Your hair is not spared from the damage of stress.

The result of a regular fitness routine is healthier hair follicles, thicker strands of hair, and fewer brittle hairs that break off more easily.

Use the Right Shampoo

An important step to maintaining your hair’s health is using the right shampoo. Shampoos containing sulphates or silicones can be hard on your hair, especially if you use them daily. It’s best to use a shampoo with a pH balance that’s as close as possible to your own skin (around 5.5) – this will help keep the natural oils from being stripped from your scalp, which will lead to more healthy-looking locks. Using products like dry shampoo or volumising shampoos can also reduce the amount of time spent washing your hair each week.

With so many products on the market, it can be hard to know which ones contain harmful ingredients and the choices in shops are limited. You often end up with products that do the job without enhancing your hair health. Instead, it can be a good idea to consider looking for the right shampoo online, so you have a better chance of getting something that ticks all the boxes! It might be a good idea to have a word with your hairdresser who can advise on what products would work well for your hair type.

Protect Your Hair from the Outside Elements

Cold air can be detrimental to your hair, so be sure to wrap up warm when you head out into the cold. This will help protect your hair from drying out, becoming brittle or breaking. So, think of a hat not as a fashion statement but as an indispensable shield against the moisture-robbing winter air and the harsh wind and rain. Covering your hair with a hat can work wonders to preserve your hair’s health.

Not all hats are good at protecting though. Some fabrics can lead to hair breakage and damage, such as cotton and wool, so it’s a good idea to buy something that is pre-lined with satin or silk to add extra protection.

Another important tip to remember is to always dry your hair before leaving the house. Wet hair is more prone to breakage, and the winter elements can aggravate this.

Avoid Restraining Hairstyles

Restraining hairstyles such as tight braids, weaves or extensions can pull on your scalp and cause tension. This will lead to breakage, which will result in thinning and damaged hair. It can also lead to bald spots if the tension is long-term. I know my hair suffered from being shoved up in a top knot and would always break loads or get tangled up when I tried to take it out.

Winter weather already weakens your hair health, so you want to ensure you can focus on healthy and comfortable styling options. Some styles that work best for winter hair:

A low ponytail – it fits easily under a hat and doesn’t pull your hair too much.
Loose hair for indoor activities when it is suitable
A loose hair bun
Using a claw to attach your hair – avoid barrettes, which can pull too much.

If you prefer to wear your hair in a ponytail or a braid, ensure that you don’t make those too tight. Also, it can be helpful to change the position of the tail or the braid. For instance, switch from a single ponytail in the back to a decentred tail the next day. This way, you avoid pulling at the same spot repeatedly.

Opt for Scalp Treatments

Shampooing and conditioning your hair focuses on cleaning and improving your hair condition, but for healthy hair, you also want to look after your scalp. An itchy or clogged-up scalp can affect hair growth and unfortunately it can pick up extra issues in winter, like:

Styling product residues
Sweat when trapped under a hat or exercising
Dust and dirt particles linked to pollution
Dust and dirt from indoor air pollution, as you are more likely to stay indoors

Scalp treatments are a great way to maintain the health of your hair because they help the root of the problem (pun fully intended!). This means that you will have healthier hair from both ends, which is where most damage happens. Scalp treatments can typically be done at home with specialist products.

Take Hair Vitamins

Hair vitamins are an excellent way to get all the nutrients your hair needs to stay healthy. These vitamins can be taken orally or applied topically, depending on the type of vitamin. Topical applications will provide beneficial nutrients straight to the scalp, which can help moisturise dry hair, stimulate hair growth, and make your hair stronger. To keep your locks looking their best this winter or autumn season, it’s worth boosting your vitamin intake.

Healthy winter hair can be something other than an impossible or expensive dream. It just takes a little extra care to maintain those luscious locks.