Hats Off

The cold weather is actually good for mother earth for many reasons that I am not qualified to explain, but according to weather experts, environmentalists and nature experts; cold weather is essential. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Try telling that to our hair, right?

For just as many people who love cold weather, there are equally as many who do not like it. Particularly, those with hair and skin issues. While cold weather has its many benefits, many people don't like it. Some outright hate it. They blame it on all kinds of things. The most popular thing cold weather gets blamed for is causing the flu. The second most popular thing cold weather gets blamed for is damaging hair. 

My job as a hairstylist is not limited to styling hair. My primary job as a hairstylist is to be an educator. I'm more in the mode of giving correct, up to date information and training people how to do their hair themselves than standing behind the chair and styling it. Women are no longer wanting to look good in the mirror at the salon. They want to look good hours and days later; long after they have left the salon. The best way to assure all of my customers results beyond the chair is to give them accurate information with hands-on training to do their hair themselves. 

So this ndogo blog aims to debunk the myth that cold weather damages hair. A few weeks ago, I was working in the salon. As I walked through greeting everyone hello, a customer asked, "Did you guys switch shampoos? Did the company change the formula of the shampoo? Or perhaps you guys did something different this time compared to the last time?" I responded, "No." 

As a licensed professional, I firmly stand behind the brands of products and the techniques we use to care for scalp and hair because I research these things extensively. I am in a constant state of learning, getting feedback and analyzing. To date, they have been proven and effective. I am serious about the things I choose to use and do to scalp and hair to increase the likelihood of happy satisfied customers. That has been the foundation of my service from day one. To be exact, that is why the name of the salon I work at was named, "Reverence."

Her next response was, "Maybe it's the cold weather? I heard that when the weather changes, so does our hair. Doesn't the cold weather cause our hair to shed? " Again I responded,  "No." The look on her face was pricelessly inquiring!

The truth is, cold weather does not make hair fall out or shed. I know. I know what you're thinking. The cold weather is drying. The cold weather is blowing. The cold weather is blistering. Yes, all of that is true about cold weather from an external and superficial point of view. But let's break things down physically.

According to an extensive study conducted at Oxford University in the UK, cold weather could not possibly cause hair to shed, break and fall out. In fact, their research reflects the opposite. Their research reports, "during the winter months, our body naturally produces more melatonin to help regulate the hair growth cycle and this should, in theory, mean you shed less hair."  I shared my findings with the salon customer. As she set under the dryer with her intense moisturizing scalp and hair treatment, she replied, "Oh my! I see. I've been taking melatonin to help me sleep." I winked my eye and replied, "See you are throwing off the natural growth cycle of your hair by taking extra melatonin. That is causing the excessive hair shedding you don't like. And pulling that wool hat on and off. It's making your hair and scalp do things you can't stand!" She smiled in amazement. 

Those of us who live in colder climates actually need more hair to serve as an insulator of the cold, so our body naturally works in harmony with mother nature to ensure that we can make it through the colder season and the opposite for those who live in hotter climates. While the blistering drying cold air makes us fussy and agitated; it is not solely responsible for hair damage.  So what is?

Turning up the heat in our homes, wearing drying wool hats and not replenishing oil on the hair and scalp are the other culprits to dry and damaged hair during the cold wintry season. The moment the weather turns cold, we turn up the heat on our thermostats. Oxford University reports, "The fluctuating temperatures inside the home affects scalp and hair. Turning up the heat inside your home, then going outside in the cold air is one of the culprits to dry scalps that cause hair to shed excessively.  Skin climatizes. In other words, skin actually adjusts to the varying temperatures that we are in and out of throughout the cold seasons. Women going through night sweats or hot flashes also experience this phenomenon caused by the skin responding to the fluctuating temperatures from the body of going from wet to dry. When you sweat, your scalp becomes moist. When your skin and scalp stops perspiring, dry, scaly scalp can often time happen. 

The report also reflects that, "the environmental changes and not treating your hair and scalp appropriately to counteract the dryness lead to damaged hair. Understand, the scalp is more prone to dehydration with the cold weather and intense indoor heat, which can result in dry scalp and brittle hair. These changes in temperature can really damage your hair and scalp; team them with wearing hats that can cause stress and friction on hair strands and you could be pulling out clumps of hair every time you take your hat on and off"

Wool caps, wool hats, cotton caps are super absorbent and are awesome at keeping the head warm, but notorious for wreaking havoc on our hair and scalp every time we put one on and take it off throughout the day. Fabrics like wool and cotton can be heavy and super absorbent, They pull vital oils away from the hair and scalp. 

Baby, it's too cold outside to not wear a hat. That is true. The solution is to wear hats that have a satin or silk linings on the inside. Satin and silk are not super absorbent. Silk and satin-like fabrics do not create friction that dries hair and promotes shedding and breakage. You could also tie your hair down with a silk or satin scarf under your favorite wool hat.  

Another solution is to turn down the heat in your home and shower. Remember hot homes and hot shower feel great, but the moment you walk out that door; the hair and scalp, like skin, will respond to the climate. Using oils such as olive, grapeseed and sunflower seed oil on the scalp will help alleviate symptoms of dryness as a result of climate change and wearing wool and cotton hats. Taking oils internally help hair and skin equally as applying them. Flaxseed oil, cooking and eating with olive oil are great options to nourish and replenish hair and skin from living in temperature fluctuating environments are great options to offset the dry air. 

Lastly, be sure to use shampoos and conditioners that have moisture-binding agents in them. Be sure the pH levels are between 4.5 -7. Lower pH results in hair that is more supple, much easier to manage and less dryness of the scalp.  Purchase products that are formulated with oils that help protect hair, hair color and the scalp from the drying effects of living in climates that fluctuate as the result of leaving warm spaces and going out into the cold air. 

Paying attention to what you are doing or is not doing to your scalp and hair during the cold season is important. Doing so will help prevent or remedy the things we "believe" the cold weather is responsible for as it relates to our hair and skin....lol 

Put the right hat on. Baby, it's cold outside!