We’re heading quickly into the coldest months of the year, and while you might already thinking about how to protect your skin from the elements, your hair needs the same level care.
Plummeting temperatures and low humidity over the winter months can have a negative impact on hair health, making it important for stylists to ensure their clients know how the change of season can affect their hair.
To get ahead of the freeze, MOOD’s Creative Director Tracey Ann Smith has shared her top tips for keeping clients’ hair healthy and strong throughout the winter months.
According to Tracey, cold air can reduce the elasticity of the hair, causing it to become fragile and more prone to breakage. To combat this, stylists should recommend a product to hydrate the hair, such as the MOOD Keratin Mask.
This nourishing mask penetrates the hair and closes the cuticles, helping to soften and add shine. It should be applied after shampoo and left in the hair for 5-10 minutes before rinsing.
Stylists should also be mindful of reducing the amount of hot tools they are using when drying and styling, said Tracey, as this could further damage the hair. They should make sure the hair is fully dry before going outside in cold weather, as wet hair could run the risk of breakage. It’s important to keep up with regular trims to catch any split ends before they travel further up the hair shaft and snap.
MOOD Creative Director
The winter season not only affects the condition of the hair, but also the scalp. Tracey warned that the shift between outdoor temperatures and warm indoor air can dry out the scalp, while friction from wool hats can cause itchiness and flaking. Clients should be recommended a product that treats this directly at the source, like MOOD’s Derma Pre Shampoo, a charcoal-based detoxifying treatment that acts as an exfoliating scalp scrub.
While using a hydrating shampoo is very beneficial, Tracey said clients should be recommended to not over-wash their hair, as this can cause it to become dry and dull. It’s also best for them to avoid using water that’s too hot, since this can strip away natural oils and lead to dryness.
Most important, stylists should explain to their clients why the winter months can lead to dry, weakened hair and provide them with strong product recommendations that will keep their hair healthy until the spring.