We're often so busy during the holiday season that we have a tendency to let a few things go to make up for hurried time. The first thing is usually our hair. We're saving for holiday spending so we skip our hair maintenance. The winter is the worst time to skimp on your hair. The air is dry, cold and often windy, leaving our hair dried out from the air and battered from the wind and cold. Winter is the time that our hair and skin need extra moisturizing on a consistent basis. Here are a few tips to keep your hair in tip top shape during the holiday season:
Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
In the African American community moisture has always been associated with oil. Moisture comes from water and water based products. A good deep moisturizer is critical to natural hair which is usually curly and has a tendency to dry out when exposed to dry air. Hair should be washed and conditioned with an excellent moisture shampoo and conditioner.
My favorite shampoo & conditioner: Paul Mitchell Instant Moisture Daily Shampoo and Instant Moisture Daily Treatment.
My favorite leave-in moisturizer: Care Free Curl (that's right!) Moisture Gold
Protect
Here is where you oil based products come in. Oil serves as a protectant for the hair and as a vehicle for vitamins, nutrients and essential oil properties to penetrate the scalp. Oil based products should be used in modertation and work best when the hair is damp. As the hair dries and the water evaporates, the evaporation pulls the oils into the hair shaft and into the scalp. Oil on dry hair sits on the hair and just gets on your clothes and pillow cases (yuck!)
My favorite oil protectant: Organic Jojoba Oil (put in a few drops of lavender and rosemary for conditioning and to stimulate the scalp) Jojoba is the only oil that most closely matches the sebum that is naturally produced in the scalp, its a light oil that absorbs very quickly into damp hair and scalp and is excellent as a carrier oil. Jojoba is also very affordable.
Aloe is great for dry, itchy scalp and skin. Excellent alone or mixed with your favorite conditioner, lotion or bath product
Argan is also great for dry hair and for protection from the elements, but you rarely find pure Argan Oil as its very expensive on it own.
Neem and Tamanu Oils are excellent for dry hair and skin issues and over the top as an addition for your hair conditioner and your favorite lotions. I reserve these oils for clients with skin and scalp problems such as psoriasis, exzema and other inflammatory skin issues.
Healthy Diet
I would be in error not to mention that you can do everything listed here and still get no results if you're not eating properly and drinking enough water on a consistent basis. As hair and skin are made up of protein be sure you're getting enough protein in your diet on a daily basis. Drink at least 64oz of water daily (more if you exercise) and eat plenty of fresh fruits and veges. If you take medications, ensure you're taking them properly and know their possible side effects (hair thinning comes with a variety of medications). Don't always feel that just because so-in-so does such-and-such for her hair and its growing, means the same will work for you. We're all different and you need to learn your bodies needs and what works for your body.
Hope these tips help you spend less time worrying about what to do to keep your hair and skin healthy during the holiday, and spend more time loving on friends and family.
May the joy of Christ fill your holiday with peace and love!
Many blessings for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
