Winter Hydration: 6 Tips to Ditch Dry Hair

Man and woman smiling standing in front of a mountain in the winter

Winter is here! How can we tell? Not just by the drop in temperatures or the influx of holiday decorations, but by the number of questions Great Clips stylists are getting about how to manage frizz, breakage and dandruff already happening this season. 

Even though dry hair can feel inevitable this time of year, you can combat it with these tips and tricks, so your winter season doesn’t have your scalp and hair feeling itchy, brittle and dry. Here’s how you can gain year-round hair hydration:

Start with hydration in the shower

If your regular shampoo isn’t quite cutting it for the dry season, it’s time to bring out your hair superpowers: ultra-hydrating shampoos and conditioners. If you’re looking for a product to use regularly, we recommend Solutions by Great Clips Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner. However, if your dryness is resulting in an itchy scalp and dandruff, tailored solutions can help ease the itch, such as Solutions by Great Clips Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner, Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo and Conditioner, and American Crew Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. 

Rinse with cool water

Hot water on your hair can dry your hair out further, but if you just can’t get on board with taking a cool shower, try turning the tap to cold and rinsing your hair one more time right before stepping out of the shower. This will cause your strands to close up and lock in the moisture that you worked so hard to add. If you used hydrating products on your skin, this will work to seal that moisture in, too. Plus, it’s a surefire way to wake you up in the morning!

 

Man pouring shampoo into hand in the shower

Power up your moisture

Your hair will appreciate more moisture when you step out of the shower, too. Be sure to use the right product for your hair type that will add extra moisture that your hair is craving without weighing it down. For example, Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Hair and Body Moisturizer is a great option for a leave-in conditioner that hydrates your hair and skin, reduces frizz and improves the texture of your hair and skin. If you have long hair with ends that need some extra TLC, Sexy Healthy Hair Love Oil and Solutions by Great Clips Nourishing Oil both add shine and protect your hair from heat damage. 

Get frequent hair trims

Getting regular trims gets rid of split ends before they take over the whole hair strand. That helps your hair lock in the moisture you’re adding and grow back stronger after a haircut. Depending on your hair type and length, we recommend stopping in your local Great Clips salon every six to eight weeks. If you are trying to maintain a certain length or style, especially men or women with shorter cuts, you may want to come in and see us a little more often.

 

Close up of young man with red hair getting a hair trim

Shampoo less often

Washing your hair, even with a moisturizing shampoo, also washes out natural oils that your hair needs to stay hydrated, particularly in dry winter months. Try to shampoo your hair less often and see how your hair adapts after a few weeks. There may be a transition period, so on the days that you don’t wash your hair, you can soak up some of the excess oils with dry shampoo, such as TIGI Bed Head Dirty Secret.

Turn down the heat

If you use a blow dryer, straightener or curling iron regularly, we encourage you to either turn the heat down or try using heat tools less often in cold months. Try giving your hair a break and let it air dry and soak in the moisture from the hydrating products you used. If you do need to heat style, help your hair out by turning the heat down. You want your device to be just hot enough so that you do not need to go over each section of hair more than once, which helps reduce hair damage. Don’t forget to use a heat protectant, like Solutions Thermal Protection Spray, before styling.

With colder temperatures forecasted, it’s time to make some changes to your haircare routine! A Great Clips stylist can help you design a regimen that will work for your unique hair, so swing in today to get that winter trim and stock up on some moisture-boosting products!