It’s a tale as old as time: Once fall rolls around, your showers may end with what looks like a small, furry animal hanging around the drain. But this doesn’t mean you’re going bald (but keep your stress in check to help maintain healthy follicles)—there’s actually a scientific reason why you shed more in the colder months.

“There is evidence that people can note increased shedding in the late fall and winter months,” dermatologist Emily Wise, MD, told Allure. “In the summer months, we hang on to more hair to provide increased protection from the sun.”

“In the summer months, we hang on to more hair to provide increased protection from the sun.”

Then, as summer ends, it’s not uncommon for women to start losing some of the hair they held onto during the summer for a late-onset “shed” phase. But the increase in shedding is likely just temporary, Dr. Wise continued.

Aside from keeping your scalp hydrated and moisturized, as well as taking your vitamins (biotin and iron, in particular!), there’s not much you can do about seasonal shedding. And, according to dermatologist Jeremy Fenton, MD, docs aren’t in total agreement about why the scheduled shedding happens in the first place: Some think it’s based on evolution, and others believe it’s the body’s way of lessening shedding come wintertime.

“These hairs are not necessarily lost forever, as a healthy hair follicle will then eventually cycle back into its growth phase,” Dr. Fenton told Allure.
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So don’t let extra shedding get you down—or send you into a panic. Instead, invest in a pretty hair catcher for your drain and daydream about the first day of spring.

 
This article first appeared on Well Good

​Growing a beard for winter will make your winter much better. Your mug rug offers protection from wind burn, UV rays, and frigid temperatures. It can even save your life.

But therein lies the paradox – while a beard is a pleasant companion when it’s cold and blistery, winter is also the most trying season on your beard. Low humidity and harsh elements dry out your hair, causing it to become brittle.

Winter is when you want to step up your beard care game. This calls for vigilant moisturizing and a couple changes to your daily routine that will optimize moisture retention.

Say no to hot water
We get it – it’s downright frigid outside, and there’s nothing like a hot shower to make you forget about it all. While a hot shower may feel good, hot water is Enemy No. 1 for your beard. Hot water strips hair and skin of natural oils (that would otherwise be moisturizing your hair and skin). This causes dry, brittle hair and itchy skin.

Instead, turn the water temperature down and take a cool shower whenever possible. Cool water seals cuticles to keep your beard moisturized and protected.

Shampoo less
You still need to keep your beard clean during the winter (especially with all those food and booze-filled holiday parties), but tone it down in the shampoo department. Cut back how often you shampoo to two times a week. Continue rinsing your face and beard daily, though, to remove superficial buildup.

When you do shampoo, avoid the following:

• Sulfates – Foaming agents that dehydrate and irritate skin. Zeus Beard Shampoo is sulfate-free and contains Dragon’s Blood Extract and Green Tea Extract to calm inflammation.
• Silicones – Minerals that help smooth and straighten hair, as well as it give it shine. While that may sound desirable, silicones build up on your beard, acting as a sealant. This means conditioners won’t be able to penetrate and your hair will dehydrate, resulting in a brittle, frizzy beard.
  • Note: There are some water-soluble silicones that rinse out with water. These are okay to use. Look for: Dimethicone Copolyol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, and Lauryl Methicone Copolyol.

Moisturize more

Conditioner
Conditioner should be your mainstay when the weather is crisp and cold. You should be using it on days even when you’re not using beard shampoo. Aim to condition your beard 3 – 4 times a week.

Beard oil
Right after your shower, take advantage of your still-moist skin by applying a few drops of beard oil. For a fresh but not overpowering scent, try Zeus Verbena Lime Beard Oil. For brothers with sensitive skin, we recommend our Zeus Unscented Beard Oil, which is fragrance-free.
Depending on how dry your beard is, you can apply beard oil in the morning, reapply once during the day, and again at night. Test out the frequency to see what works for you.

Beard balm
Beard balm should come after the beard oil step. It’ll add an extra dose of moisture to your beard and skin, while sealing that moisture in with beeswax. In addition, beard balm can be used to lightly shape your beard and moustache, so you’ll look put together no matter how blistery the winds.

Do not skip the brushing/combing
Brushing your beard has a multitude of benefits. It keeps your beard clean, tidy, and in good form. It distributes beard oil evenly through your beard (goodbye, winter dryness). And did we mention it also stimulates circulation, promoting healthy beard growth?

Score bonus points with a humidifier
Combat the dryness of the air – and consequently, of your beard – with a humidifier, which will keep your beard, skin, and significant other happy.

Take a spa day
…Or just hop into your gym’s steam room. Think of a steam bath as a deep conditioning treatment for your beard.

Cover your beard when you’re outside
#IceBeards are wicked, but other than being a cool photo op, they do serious damage to your beard, leaving it brittle and prone to breakage.
Prevent ice beard by doing the following:

• Cover your beard with a scarf.
• If your beard gets wet from snow, ice, or rain, wipe it off immediately to prevent it from dying out.

 
These tips appeared on ZeusBeard

The Festive Season is here and winter has already set in! This is a time when our hair needs to look its very best, despite the cold weather outside.

Not only does winter affect your skin it also causes problems for your hair. Therefore, it’s time to talk about winter hair care.

“You may already moisturise your skin during the winter months BUT what to do about your hair and scalp?” 

To help you sparkle this season, we’ve put together TOP 10 TIPS about how to keep your locks looking A-grade all winter!

1. Keep Your Home Warm but NOT Hot

Make sure you don’t get a temperature shock when you get home or when you’re going out. If the temperature inside your house or apartment is much warmer than outside it can irritate your skin and scalp.

2. Turn the Hot Water Down

BRRRR… It’s cold, we know! A really hot shower feels so good on a cold weather day. BUT if you wanna care for your scalp, you should turn the temperature of your shower down. Hot water is neither good for your skin or your hair.

Hot water dehydrates your skin and hair. It’s actually like cooking the moisture out of your skin, creepy right?!

Well, to help temper your use of hot water, keep the water heater at the same position all year round OR even better, see if you can edge it down in the fall and winter season.

3. Wash Your Hair to a Minimum

How often are you shampooing? Well, in the cold weather season we found, that if you’re shampooing your hair two or three times a week, you can prevent your hair from drying out too much.

4. Oil Your Hair

During the winter season, your scalp will be drier and that can lead to dandruff and scalp irritation, which in the worst-case scenario can lead to hair fall.

No matter how busy you are, really don’t forget the oil your hair needs. It’s really important to keep your scalp moisturized!

Use olive or coconut oil, massage it into your scalp and leave it in for 20 minutes, and finally rinse it out with shampoo and conditioner.

5. Double Up On Conditioner

Yup, conditioner is a must! We’ve said it before, conditioning your hair after shampooing should be an important part of your hair routine.

During winter we recommend you to use a deep conditioner plus a leave in treatment, especially for those who are living up North.

6. Dry Your Hair Correctly

When it comes to drying your hair, you should really treat your hair with care.

Even though a blow dryer is the best tool if you wanna style your hair to perfection, it can also be really harmful to your hair as the heat can dry out your hair and scalp.

Therefore, it’s important that you protect your hair with heat protection before you blow dry it. Keep in mind, that heat protection is as important as the actual blow drying part!

7. Allow Your Hair to Air Dry

If possible, it’s a good idea to let your hair air dry and limited your use of tools like dryers and flat irons. Still, be aware that going outside with wet hair in cold weather can cause your hair to freeze and break.

So if you don’t have time for your hair to dry naturally before going out, then blow dry it and use the cool setting. Once again, remember to use pre-styling spray or a leave-in conditioner before blow drying.

8. Have Your Hair Trimmed Regularly

Whether you have long or short hair, winter weather can make the ends of your hair dry and brittle. Regular trims will keep your hair in good condition and reduce the risk of split ends.

9. Throw On The Hat

To be cool and warm! Well, when the wind starts to blow, it’s time to throw on the hat. Yeah, that means saying goodbye to that awesome hairdo you’ve spent all your morning creating.

Still, wearing a hat can add an edge to your look. Just remember to pick a hat that fits your style and face shape!

10. Eat Balanced & Stay Hydrated

Eating a healthy diet full of vitamins is the best way to keep your hair and scalp looking and feeling healthy. Also, make sure you drink plenty of water to keep your hair and scalp hydrated.

Well, are you set for the winter? Make these TOP TIPS a part of your hair care routine. A little extra care will make a big difference!
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This article appeared on SLIKHaar

Hello winter! Colder winter months always mean paying extra attention to our coily tresses. The dry air and cold wind affects the health and appearance of your hair. Just as we fight frizz during humid summer months, you want to prevent any damage to your hair during cooler dry months. Here are 10 winter hair tips for healthy, happy curls!

Add Moisture

Winter hair thrives on moisture. You can’t have too much. Winter can be a great time for curlies, as frizz-causing humidity plummets along with the temperatures. But the cold weather, along with indoor heating, also can wreak havoc on those curls and kinks in other ways, leaving them parched and brittle.

To battle the dryness, it is essential that curlies stick to a strict deep-conditioning regimen. Deep condition at least once a week (twice if you already tend to be very dry) with a deep conditioner that provides moisture only. You can't control the weather, but you can moisturize, adjust your product routine and do your best to keep the dry frizzies away.

Honey, Please

Honey is awesome when used in conjunction with a conditioner fortified with olive oil and avocado oil. If you are worried about the hair being too oily after the deep condition, use a light shampoo as a topper. Honey is a natural humectant and helps your hair retain moisture, making it a great treatment for dry, winter hair. Honey can be added to cleansers, conditioners, deep conditioners and oils. Honey also works well works when combined with other ingredients, so you can look for products that contain honey.
 
Get a Trim

Every 10-12 weeks, trim off what is dead to avoid choking the life out of your hair. When ends are split and frayed, nutrients don't know where to go. Often stylists will recommend 6-8 weeks, but this is not necessary for curly hair (when you get a cut tailored for your type).

Avoid Protein

Drying shampoos that contain too much protein and not enough natural oils are not what winter calls for. When you use products that contain protein, your hair needs extra moisture so it won't become dry and brittle. (sometimes an after-effect of using too much protein.) Since you'll be deep conditioning more make sure to pick one that is not protein rich, as too much protein can cause more frizz. A few great ones to try are: DevaCurl Heaven In Hair or Bumble and bumble Curl Conscious Nourishing Masque.
 
Natural Oils Are a Must

In the cold winter months, make sure to always seal hair with an easily absorbed oil before heading out of the house. Natural oils such as jojoba, rosemary and lavender are so important in the cooler months because they help keep your scalp and hair in good condition.

Avoid the Towel

Never use a regular terrycloth towel after you shower. The coarse texture of a typical bath towel can roughen up the hair's cuticle and cause curl separation, resulting in frizz. Curlies need to use super-absorbent microfiber towels designed to reduce frizz and dry time while creating beautifully defined curls.
 
Wide-Toothed Comb

The wide-toothed comb is your friend; do not use your hands. It's important to use a wide-toothed comb because it works through the hair more easily with less damage. Always start from the bottom and work your way up.

More Product

Indoor air is extremely drying to curls so make sure to use extra product this winter. Listen for hair to squish, to make sure there's enough product in the hair. Remember, most curly hair is dry, so don't be afraid of product.
 
Extra Gel & Scrunch

Since you are using more product on your winter hair, make sure to get the most out of it. Scrunching allows your product and curls to go further. Scrunch with a liquid-y gel to ensure equal distribution of the product. Scrunching product into curls allows for better distribution and removes excess product. Scrunching also defines curls and adds volume.

Diffuse

​Wash-and-go is a thing of the past now so make sure you diffuse to set curls all day. Don't be afraid of the diffuser. As long as it has prongs, it's designed to bring out the best of your curly hair. Set it on high heat, low speed. This may take a while, but if you are patient, you'll love the way your curls look!


These tips are from NaturallyCurly