Easy Fixes for Winter Hair

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By Beth Janes

Chances are, winter has already wreaked havoc on your hair. "Harsh conditions like cold and wind strip the cuticle (the outermost layer of the hair strand), making it rough and susceptible to dryness and static," says Harold Brody, M.D., clinical professor of dermatology at Emory University in Atlanta. (When properly hydrated, the cuticle lies flat, sealing in moisture and giving hair shine.) But there's no need to hibernate until spring: Hair-care experts have shared their tried-and-tested tips with us on preventing the dry, static-prone (and hat-head) hair that's all-too-common during the winter months.

1. Be gentle with wet locks. Dehydrated hair is more likely to break when brushed, explains Eric Fisher, owner of the Eric Fisher Salon in Wichita, Kan. To protect hair after showering, lightly spray ends with a leave-in conditioner (opt for Pantene Detangle Light Spray Conditioner, $4.30; at drugstores; or Biolage Fortifying Leave-In Treatment, $13; 800-6-MATRIX) to help make strands more pliable. Then comb tresses gently with a wide-tooth comb and blot with a soft towel (vigorous rubbing can cause further breakage).

2. Shampoo every other day. This helps prevent the natural scalp oils from being stripped, explains Stuart Gavert, a bicoastal colorist at the Peter Coppola Salon in New York City and Gavert Atelier Salon in Beverly Hills, Calif. On days when you don't shampoo, give your scalp a thorough rinsing and massage with your fingers; it's enough to keep hair clean and your scalp invigorated -- even for oily types or after a sweaty session at the gym. Can't bear not sudsing up? Opt for Wen Cleansing Conditioner ($28; chazdeanstudio.com), a moisturizing cleanser that uses a mix of natural essential oils and extracts like menthol and rosemary to cleanse. Or work a pea-size amount of moisturizing shampoo through the roots only, and then rinse well.

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