Dr.Tusk - Dec 02 2023
5 Winter Hair-Care Tips for a Healthier Hair & Scalp
Winter is nearly here as the calendar turns past December 1st! You know what that means... chapped lips, cracked skin and yep, you guessed it, frayed strands of hair. But fear not, as the frosty air swirls and the snowflakes dance, there's no reason for your hair to suffer the winter blues. Imagine stepping out into the chilly breeze with hair that gleams like the morning frost, feeling as nourished and vibrant as ever. This isn't just a winter wonderland fantasy – it's your new reality!
Transforming your hair from a winter-worn, lackluster state to a condition of enviable shine, hydration, and robust health is all about choosing the right products. In this segment, we're excited to share our curated list of winter hair care hacks. Additionally, we're exploring the world of an ancient herbal remedy that promise zero damage and maximum style.
Not only will we walk you through the perfect uses, but we'll also share some exclusive tips to shield your locks from the harsh, moisture-stripping winter air.
Keep reading as we reveal our top selections for weather-resistant hair care products that guarantee to keep your tresses feeling fabulous, even amidst the coldest days of the season.
SPOILER ALERT: we may have added a bonus 6th tip if you make it to the bottom! WE CALLED IN A LIVE EXPERT TO HELP DIVE INTO THE SCIENE.
1. AVOID Styling with HEAT
This may go without saying, but applying heat (blow drying or straighteners/curling irons) draw out excessive moisture from your hair. Let your hair air dry to help your scalp reabsorb moisture and naturally maintain it's rich oils to help your hair stay more lush and luxurious during the cold months
2. Use and Oil or Deep Conditioning Treatment WEEKLY
We need to head off (yes, pun intended) dehydration from all angles. A deep treatment with oil or conditioner once weekly can do wonders for your hair and scalp! Acting as an emollient (the ability to create a semi-permeable barrier to maintain and promote moisture) oils and deep conditioners can allow your sebaceous glands (the oil producing glands of your face and scalp) deep in your hair follicle produce those naturally occurring and nutrient rich oils to keep your hair healthy and strong.
3. Wash Your Hair LESS FREQUENTLY
OK, the age old debate. Do I wash my hair daily, every other day, thrice weekly (yes, breaking out thrice...)? Let's put this debate to rest, shall we? We turned to the experts on this one: The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) states: If you have OILY hair: daily If you have CHEMICALLY TREATED HAIR: less often If you have COILED or TEXTURED HAIR: once a week or every other week If you're OLDER: MAY reduce frequency, as oil content declines as we age
4. Make a Commitment for WEEKLY Hair Masking
We've all seen and felt the benefits of a weekly skin mask, the same applies to our hair! Our scalp is nothing but simple epithelium (skin cells) that produce (or lose) oil. A simple 20-minute, once weekly routine can bump oil retention and help improve nutrient delivery to the roots.
5. COVER UP Your Hair when Going Outside
Nothing screams DRY like exposed skin and hair to a frigid and icy day. My hands feel the effects just typing this in December... Do yourself a favor, COVER UP your hair. We don't think about our hair and skin being an all-in-one unit, but it really is! The nutrients of our hair start in the skin of our scalp. Let's keep it covered and warm to prevent dehydration!
BONUS: 6. Sit Down with a Clinical Expert: Use A NATRUAL BOTANICAL Solution with ASHWAGANDHA
We hear it all the time about these chemical "treatments" that can help "restore" our hair and "revitalize" our follicles... We called our friend and pharmacist Dr. Kevin Bunting Jr., PharmD. to help explain the science behind our Ashwagandha Shampoo & Conditioners. Here is what he had to say:
Dr.Tusk Team:"Dr. Bunting, thank you for taking time to chat with us about our Ashwagandha Shampoo & Conditioners and how they can be used to help winter scalp dryness. Can you explain some more of the biochemistry relating to how ashwagandha works to help your hair and scalp?"
Dr. Bunting: "I'm actually surprised more people aren't turning to ashwagandha for their regular hair and skin care routine. Ashwagandha is part of the withanolides which are a type of adaptogen. What this means is, it upregulates a protein called "heat-shock proteins (HSPs)," which are responsible for DNA repair. Why is this relevant?"
Dr. Bunting: "In the winter time, you can look at the damage as a form of inflammation and stress to the hair follicle. If you can apply a local agent that helps combat these effects (i.e. ashwagandha and it's ability to improve HSP concentrations), you OWN body now has time to finish the job and restore itself back to homeostasis."
Look, we didn't say it was effortless to keep your hair routine perfect in the winter, but, it's honestly much simpler when it's broken down into a few simple steps. Taking small steps and making small changes to create a new routine are key!
If you enjoyed our segment with one of our clinical experts, let us know! We'd love to chat more with Dr. Bunting and dive even deeper into the science with you!