Winter Frizzy Hair Fixes: Your Guide to Smooth, Healthy Hair

The punishing winds, cold weather, and dryness of winter can make frizz control feel like a losing battle. This article from Mulberry Park Silks shares expert advice and tips on managing unwanted frizz, preventing hair damage, and maintaining hair health in cooler seasons.

If your hair is prone to frizz, summer may feel like your most problematic season. Let's face it: heat and humidity are not conducive to smooth, manageable hair (especially if you've got curly hair or natural hair). But it turns out that winter may present bigger challenges for the war on frizz. Lack of moisture, cold hair, and static all take a big toll and contribute to frizzy hair, breakage, dryness, and damage.

And in much of the country-including here in New England-winter is knocking at the door. Since fighting frizz is a year-round job, we are here to help you prepare for the unique challenges cold weather presents to maintaining smooth, manageable hair. We've consulted with multiple hair care experts to explain why winter is so harsh on hair and what you can do to prevent and repair damage (including sleeping on a pure, protective, hydrating pillowcase from Mulberry Park Silks). Read on for insights and ideas to keep hair frizz and bay and rock a smooth, stylish, and manageable mane this season.

Understanding Winter's Impact on Hair

Whether you are indoors or outside, winter air is hard on hair. William Slator, founder of UK-based Hairguard, explains, saying "Cold air outdoors and dry, heated air indoors strip moisture from the hair, leading to dryness and brittleness." Harsh winter winds can also harm your hair cuticle by causing tangles, breakage, and split ends. On top of all that, the temperature changes themselves-moving from cold outside temps to warm and dry indoor environments-can cause some shock to your hair. Lastly, the static electricity that builds up so easily in winter can cause your hair to frizz and break. But hair frizz and damaged hair don't need to be your cold-weather destiny.

Expert Solutions for Winter Hair Care

Switching up your hair care routine and incorporating some seasonal TLC can help you fight frizz in the winter. Of course, you will have to adapt these recommendations to your personal hair texture and type, so use them as guidelines to develop a personal regimen that works for you.

Washing and Protection Strategies

During cold winter weather, washing your hair less frequently can help fight seasonal damage. Stella Cameron of Family Hair and Beauty Salon (Australia) advises: "Do not wash your hair too frequently as oil would be stripped out. In winter, it is better to wash hair 2-3 times [a week] along with dry shampoo."

Adapt Your Styling Product Choices for Winter

Winter is a great time to break out the argan oil and other heavy-duty conditioning products. Lana Bowen, Salon Owner and CEO of SalonTonight.com explains: "You might need to use totally different products throughout the winter. If you live in a place that gets a lot of rain, you may need to add a smoothing serum to your routine that helps combat the inevitable frizz that moisture creates. Using a light hairspray throughout the day if needed to combat frizz can also be a quick trick to add to your routine."

Hydrate and Deep Condition

With wind, cold temperatures, and indoor heat conspiring to pull moisture away from your hair, winter is a time to focus on hydration. First, make sure to keep your body well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water. And focus on deep conditioning with an at-home hair mask or salon treatment at regular intervals to restore smoothness and shine.

"If you feel like your hair is dry or brittle in the winter, try using a deep conditioner once a week to deliver the moisture and protein your hair is craving," advises Bowen. Slator reinforces this idea, saying, "Keeping hair well-hydrated is essential. Use a deep conditioning mask weekly and switch to a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner designed for dry hair. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and coconut oil are great for locking in moisture."

Combat Static Electricity

Friction, dry air, and dry hair make the perfect (electrical) storm for static in the winter. Staying ahead of static comes down to using the proper products and styling tools. Stella Cameron recommends ionic hair tools, saying, "The use of blow dryers and straightening irons with ionic technology helps to reduce the static in the hair by adding moisture to the hair. She's also a big fan of anti-static serums, which "contain silicones as their main ingredient which coats the hair effectively to eliminate static." William Slator also suggests "using leave-in conditioners or serums that offer moisture without adding weight" and notes that "adding a humidifier to your room can combat the dry indoor air."

Focus on Protective Styling

Winter is not the time to blast your hair with high heat. At the same time, running around with wet hair isn't a great idea. The best solution is to use a light touch. Air dry your hair for a bit then use lower heat settings to finish the style. Dalya Harel, hair expert and founder of Lice Busters, says, "Winter is tough enough on hair without adding heat damage. When clients ask about this, I always say, 'If you're going to use heat, do it on a low setting and use a heat protectant.'"

William Slator is also a proponent of protective hairstyles, saying, "Wearing hair in protective styles like buns or braids can reduce exposure to harsh weather and prevent breakage." (Note: switching from regular elastics, which can pull, break, and tear at hair, to our pure mulberry silk scrunchies is a big step toward safeguarding hair from styling damage). Also, when combing damp hair, use a wide-tooth comb to detangle hair.

The Silk Pillowcase Solution

One of the very best things you can do to fight frizz-in the winter and year-round-is to sleep on the smoothy, hydrating surface of a pure mulberry silk pillow. Most regular pillowcases are made from plant-based cotton, which absorbs moisture away from your hair (and skin) and contains tiny fibers that can tug and tear your tresses. Silk is different! Like your hair and skin, silk fabric is protein-based; it is made from the pure, protective cocoon of the silkworm. That means silk keeps your hair naturally hydrated. The smooth charmeuse surface of a silk pillowcase also protects your hair as it glides across without friction, preventing tangles, frizz, breakage, and bedhead.

"Silk pillowcases and accessories like scrunchies and bonnets reduce friction between your hair and surfaces, unlike cotton, which can cause tugging and breakage," said William Slator. "Silk doesn't absorb moisture the way cotton does, so using silk helps keep your hair's natural oils intact, preventing excess dryness. Silk pillowcases [also] help smooth the hair cuticle while you sleep, making hair less prone to frizz and static."

Mulberry Park Silks: Your Source for Silk Pillowcases

Along with being wonderful for every type of hair, Mulberry Park Silk silk pillowcases are the pinnacle of luxury. They are made from the highest quality silk, Grade 6A, in a range of weights, sizes, and colors (22 momme silk pillowcases are our "signature" weight that is versatile for any season). Along with being naturally hydrating and hypoallergenic, our silk is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Certified as safe from harmful chemicals. Our silk pillowcases are also easy to care for; they can be washed by hand or machine following these simple directions.

As always, the Mulberry Park Silks team is here to help you choose the perfect silk pillowcase for your hair, style, and budget; give us a call or drop an email for personalized recommendations.

Fight Frizz: Ultimate Winter Hair Care Guide

Fight Frizz: Ultimate Winter Hair Care Guide
Protect	Professional Treatment
Limit washing to 2-3 times per week (use dry shampoo if needed in between)	Use heat protectant before styling
Sleep on a silk pillowcase	Keratin treatments
Use ionic hair tools	Professional deep conditioning
Apply anti-static serums	Regular trims
Use leave-in conditioners	Expert consultation for your hair type
Install a bedroom humidifier
Weekly deep conditioning treatments
Use natural oils (argan, coconut, jojoba)
Apply leave-in treatments like curl cream
Wear protective styles in harsh weather
Minimize heat styling
Choose silk scrunchies over elastic ties

 

Our Clients Also Ask These Questions:

How to stop hair frizzing in cold weather?

Take gentle care of your hair in cold weather, working to keep it hydrated. Wash it less frequently; minimize heat exposure; and keep it hydrated with conditioners, creams, and serums. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase also helps.

Does hair become more frizzy in winter?

Some types of hair can become frizzier in winter due to cold, dry indoor air, static, and temperature changes.

How do I stop my hair from frizzing asap?

Use a smoothing serum to stop hair from frizzing.

How do I stop my hair from getting static in the winter?

Controlling static in the winter is tricky! Keep your hair hydrated; avoid heat styling; minimize the use of hats; and use a generous amount of leave-in conditioner.

How to keep hair moisturized during winter?

Keep dry frizzy hair moisturized with conditioner; leave-in treatments like hydrating serums; and by switching to a silk pillowcase which helps your hair retain natural moisture.