Winter Hair Care Tips for Men

We always find it interesting to walk past the haircare products in a store and compare the offering for men vs. what’s available for women. Women’s haircare products seem to span all eventualities when it comes to hair colour, type, length, and style – with individual products for different stages of the wash cycle, all promising different levels of protection and varying outcomes. On the other hand, men’s hair care products fill a very small section of the market, seemingly delivering the same results to all users regardless of age, hair type, or length.

What this tells us is that either the men’s market is vastly underserved, or the women’s market is wildly overestimated. Or could it be somewhere in the middle?

Men are increasingly becoming drawn into the conversation around not only hair care but overall wellbeing and self-care – with this article touching on how men can protect and nurture their hair during the harsh winter months. And don’t worry, these tips will help you to overcome the challenge of a limited stock shelf, no matter what your hair type!

Why is winter hair care so important?

Cold temperatures, central heating, and lots of rain can all have a destabilising effect on the hair. Not only is winter a time when the risk of hair breakage is higher, but the rise in hat wearing leaves your hair looking flat and more prone to grease – causing you to wash it more often and dry it out even further.

It is, in short, an endless cycle of potential damage – and one that is best fought through prevention and protection. After all, while winter is the coldest month outside, it is also the month when we heat our inside spaces – creating a contrast in conditions which can unbalance the moisture levels in the hair and exacerbate the signs of damage.

So, how can men in particular protect their hair from damage – especially when their product lines are so limited?

How to protect your hair from damage during the winter months

Protecting your hair from winter means giving it a much needed boost of moisture. This is best achieved by changing to a nourishing shampoo and conditioner, which not only cleanses the hair but seals the moisture into each strand so that it is protected from breakage. For men, it is particularly important to select a shampoo and conditioner, rather than a two-in-one product, as this will help the hair to seal in more moisture.

Another change that you can make is to step away from heated products, especially for men with longer hair, and towel dry your hair instead. And we’re not just talking styling products here. It’s important to recognise the impact of heated surroundings during the winter months, with central heating and radiators causing the hair to dry out more quickly, causing your hair to lose its shine and become stripped of its natural moisture.

Keep reading for a few more tips on how to prevent your hair from drying out and protect it from the extreme conditions of winter.

The impact of nutrition

Stepping away from the haircare shelves for a minute, did you know that what you eat can have a major impact on the quality of your hair?

Omega 3 fatty acids are crucial for giving your hair some extra volume, body, and shine, while vitamin C protects the hair from free radical damage – thus helping to secure it against split ends and irreversible damage. You can increase your body’s access to these foods by introducing more leafy greens and other ingredients to your diet, including nuts, avocados, and other healthy fats. Fish is another excellent go-to, or you can even explore the benefits of multivitamins as part of your routine.

Hats: yes, or no?

For most of us, hats are a necessity in the winter – but you need to know how to protect your hair during and after wear. If you typically find that wearing a hat leaves your hair flat and greasy, consider trying a dry shampoo after wear, to refresh your hair and add a little bounce – without the need to wet, wash, and dry it out further.

It is also important to keep your scalp healthy and moisturised throughout the winter season, especially for men who suffer from dandruff – as this can become worse during the colder months as the scalp is dried by hat wearing and fluctuating temperatures. Brush your hair regularly to stimulate the secretion of natural oils and consider adding a tea tree oil to your hair washing routine to keep the scalp nourished.

Other tips for winter hair care

Everyone has their own routine and their own approach to haircare – and let’s be honest, only you really know what happens to your hair during winter, and what you can do to combat any issues you regularly experience.

As a general rule, our advice is to keep your hair as nourished and moisturised as possible – whether that means washing it less regularly, adjusting your diet, or simply cutting your hair into a shorter style during the winter months to make maintenance easier to handle.

If there’s one thing that we highly recommend to men across all hair types, it’s to explore the benefits of a separate shampoo and conditioning product – especially during the winter, but all year round if possible. Your hair needs the right level of care if you want to keep it in good condition, and unfortunately those two-in-one products simply aren’t powerful enough to provide high quality washing and conditioning in one go.

Visit Boilerhouse Gentleman for tailored advice on how to care for, nurture, and style your hair as the winter months set in.