The winter season can be difficult for natural hair care and really take a toll on your hair. The cold, bitter air lacks humidity and unlike the warmer summer months, it can be drying to your natural strands. You may struggle with your natural hair to maintain moisture and keep it healthy. Without the proper care, your hair can become dry, brittle and damaged and eventually lead to split ends, breakage and thinning hair.

Best Winter Natural Hair Care Tips

The same way you switch your wardrobe across seasons, you should switch up your hair care routine in the winter to ensure that your hair remains hydrated and free from unnecessary damage such as split ends, severe tangles, and excessive shedding. Taking the proper steps to avoid damage to your hair in the winter is essential to the health of your hair. It is a fairly quick process given your busy schedule.

#1 Natural Hair Care Tip: Condition! Condition! Condition!

A weekly deep conditioning treatment should be added to your natural hair care routine for a boost in vitamins and nutrients to strengthen and fortify your natural hair. All it takes is 20-30mins of deep conditioning to keep your mane radiantly healthy. This will also help your hair with retaining moisture. Look for deep conditioners that cater to the specific needs of your hair. If you find that your hair lacks moisture more in the winter, use a hydrating deep conditioner. If your hair feels limper in the winter then look for a volumizing deep conditioner to help fine hair appear thicker.

Try using a protein conditioner every 3 months to help strengthen the hair and restore elasticity. This will allow your natural hair to become stronger and more bendable to prevent breakage and split ends. If your hair appears hydrated and feels moisturized but you notice that it appears limp and weak, adding a protein treatment to your hair care regimen may be extremely beneficial to your hair.

If you need to wash your hair, try pre-poo with either your preferred conditioned or oil. You can use natural oils to give your parched strands a pre-shampoo hot oil treatment or apply them to your hair along with a plastic conditioning cap and step into the shower for an inexpensive steam treatment. Try what works for your hair. For some its coconut oil while others swear by avocado oil or castor oil.

#2 Natural Hair Care Tip: Lock in the Moisture

You can use denser oils and hair butters to help your natural hair retain length and moisture.  Oils such as avocado, olive, and castor oil are good to use during the colder weather. You can massage these oils into your scalp to help stimulate the follicles to promote hair growth. The ends of your hair are the most susceptible to damage because they are the oldest part of your hair and the most fragile. They can become damaged quickly if your hair is not cared for properly. Sealing the ends of your natural hair with a heavy butter or oil when styling can help reduce the chances of breakage, split ends, and thinning hair. You should handle the ends of your natural tresses delicately and with patience so that it does not begin to break off faster than it can grow.

#3 Natural Hair Care Tip: Protective Hairstyle and Accessories

Wearing protective styles is another great way to maintain your hair in the winter. Protective hairstyles such as buns, flat twists, braids, and roll-tuck-pin hairstyles are cute, trendy and a nice option for protecting the ends of your hair from the environment and damage.

Some naturals also choose to wear weaves, wigs and other types of hair extensions during the winter months as a method of protective styling. This is also a good option for protective styling because it not only keeps your ends protected but also allows your hair a break from the constant stress from daily styling and manipulation.

When wearing wigs, sew-in weaves or other types of extensions where your natural hair will be in a dormant state you should always maintain your own hair.  These styles should not be left in longer than 6-8 weeks as it can pull on the hair and lead to breakage and even matted hair.

Once you have your protective hairstyle in place, invest in a nice silk cap or head wrap not just for sleeping in but to wear under your winter hat. The materials often found in what keeps your head warm can wreak havoc on your beautifully moisturized mane, leaving it dry, limp, and tangled. Silk lined caps and silk wraps are terrific for ultimate protection from the winter cold. Pick a cute one and you can wear it all day as an accessory.

#4 Natural Hair Care Tip: Less is More

Winter natural hair care doesn’t require high maintenance or any additional time out of your schedule. All it takes to keep your hair healthy during the colder seasons are a few simple adjustments to your natural hair care regimen. Additionally, the less manipulation of your hair, the more protected your hair will be during winter. Ditch the comb and use your fingers sparingly, your hair will thank you. Adopting these tips on caring for your hair will allow your mane to remain healthy, hydrated and flourishing not just during the winter but all year long.