Winter is a time of cold weather, icy roads and gloomy days. The last thing we want to deal with is damaged hair. The only dull thing about the winter should be the weather! Here are a few tips on how to prevent that dreaded winter damage and keep your hair shining until spring.

1. Watch your head!

Hats, scarves, flannel pillowcases and any rougher fabric that touches your hair can be damaging. To help minimize damage, swap out that flannel pillowcase for a silk one. Silk pillowcases will prevent breakage and any further damage to your hair. Wearing a silk or satin scarf underneath your winter hats can also help prevent damage. If that is not a viable option, consider minimizing hat wearing time to help prevent breakage.

2. Eliminate the excess.

Make sure that all winter accessories are being cleaned regularly. Hats, headbands and scarves will hold onto the dirt and grime to which they are exposed. Keeping accessories clean is crucial to keeping your hair clean as well. Eliminating any excess dirt by washing accessories will allow you to wash your hair less frequently in the wintertime, helping keep moisture locked in.

3. Avoid dry hair by adding moisture.

Winter is a drying time, so adding more moisture to your winter hair routine can help prevent it from drying out. Hair oils are great for locking in moisture and keeping your hair healthy. Tea tree oils in particular are a great option for all types of hair. For those of us who are on the drier side, consider adding a leave-in conditioner to your hair routine. Leave-in conditioners can help add moisture to your hair while simultaneously locking it in. You can also consider doing an at-home hair mask, like the Solutions Tea Tree Coconut Oil Conditioning Treatment to help your hair retain its moisture during the colder months.

4. Don't forget to brush!

Brushing helps move healthy oils from the scalp to the ends of the hair. Oils are essential to keep hair from drying out and to help lock moisture in. Not only does brushing keep your hair healthy, but it also massages the scalp and stimulates hair growth. Use a product like Matrix Total Results Miracle Creator while brushing to avoid breakage.

5. Get hair in shape for spring and summer!

The most important part of winter hair care is ensuring that your hair is as healthy as possible for the warmer months. Getting your hair trimmed at your local Great Clips salon every 4-6 weeks can help keep those dead ends away! And when you're at the salon, you can talk to your experienced Great Clips salon stylist about products and styling tips that will help keep your hair looking fresh throughout the winter.

How do you keep your hair healthy in the winter? Share with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and follow us for more social content.

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