6 Ways to Winterize Your Natural Hair

We are well into the deep freeze but it’s not too late to reassess your regimen and winterize your natural hair! Here are six ways to keep it healthy this season.

1. Deep Conditioning

Hopefully, this is something you’re already doing on a regular basis. For most of us, it’s a bi-weekly ritual. But as the chill sets in, the air can do a number on our hair, depriving it of the moisture it so desperately needs as it is. Don’t be afraid to deep condition weekly to keep your hair in tip-top shape. Using heat — either by way of a plastic cap/towel duo, heated cap or sitting under a hooded dryer — can maximize the benefits.

2. Steaming

Steaming is yet another way to get the most out of your deep conditioning treatments but is a great practice on its own. Winter air lacks moisture and this can have a damaging effect on our strands which are already prone to dryness. Steaming will open up the hair cuticle and add moisture all in one step. I like to use my handheld hair steamer on wash days to help with detangling and also to be thorough, making sure all of my strands are taken care of.

3. Moisturizing

Again, this should already be a part of your regimen but you may find it necessary to up the ante during the winter due to the absence of moisture in the air. The two tips above play a part in adding moisture to your hair but you also wanna be sure to start from the cleansing step all the way through to styling.

Many naturals swear by the L.O.C. Method. Once the hair is cleansed, keep it slightly damp and add your liquid or water-based product like a leave-in conditioner. Follow up with an oil and then your cream of choice for styling. I prefer to do more of an L.C.O. kinda thing, as do others, leaving the oil or oil-based product for last to totally seal in the moisture. Depending on how I intend to style, I may even leave out the cream but as long as you have sealed with an oil, you’re good. Pay special attention to the ends, the oldest part of your hair.

4. Use Heavier Emollients

The oils and butters you use may also change with the season. Using a thicker emollient that works with your hair (thin, fine hair may be weighed down by anything TOO thick) during the winter will help to seal in that moisture even more, creating a stronger layer and barrier to protect the hair from the bitter cold. All of this will help your tresses maintain a good amount of elasticity which will help prevent breakage and split ends.

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5. Protective Styling

This is a good practice for retaining length but more importantly, moisture! I can personally attest to the benefits of keeping my hair in a low-maintenance style- to protect my ends especially- in addition to keeping it properly moisturized. Besides the retention of length, my hair feels 100 times softer and healthier after protective styling.

6. Head Coverings

In addition to winterizing your hair through your regimen, a simple solution to protecting it is simply to put it away! While you protective style with mini twists, for example, rock a cute satin-lined beanie or a funky head wrap. You’ll be keeping warm all the while shielding your hair from the harsh elements of winter.

Did I miss anything? What changes do YOU make to winterize your natural hair?

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