Fortunately, we’ve got a few tips to help you keep your hair protected this season.

If you love having squeaky clean hair and wash it every second day, you could be causing more harm than you realize. When temperatures are warmer and humidity levels are high, washing your hair twice or even three times a week is necessary. But this changes in cold seasons because regular washing can rob your hair of moisture. To protect your hair, try reducing your schedule to once a week – it really makes a difference in keeping that moisture locked in. 

When it comes to natural hair care, a thick, moisture-rich conditioner is really an essential part of your regimen. Deep conditioning allows your strands to soak up as much moisture as they can hold. After washing and clarifying your hair, slather on a thick, rich deep conditioner, comb through with a wide-tooth comb, pop on a shower cap and wrap it all up in a headwrap for about fifteen to twenty minutes before rinsing out and carrying on with the rest of your wash day process. For the days that aren't wash days or during cold seasons when wash days are less, a leave in conditioner will help your hair lock in moisture to reduce or prevent any damage. The best thing about it is that once you apply it, you don't need to rinse it out, hence the name leave in. 

It’s important to lock in all that moisture after washing and deep conditioning your hair, and this is where a sealant comes in. The best sealants are oils and butters that keep the moisture locked in so that it doesn’t escape once your hair starts to dry. Nourishing oils like castor, olive, avocado and jojoba oil are excellent at locking in moisture. For added protection, you can invest in a thick, creamy hair butter made from natural ingredients like shea or cocoa butter to keep your hair nourished.

In summer, you can rock your fro out in a wash and go, but winter is another story. Braids, wigs and plaited hairstyles are essential for winter - not only do they make you look good; they are also an excellent way to keep your strands moisturized and your ends tucked in. Protective styles limit the amount of breakage your hair experiences, especially if you wear hats and beanies to keep warm. They also minimize the hair you loose when trying to comb your hair when it is in a mess because of rain or the cold, since there is no combing involved. At the end of it, you may actually notice that your hair may be a little bit longer. 

Remember to keep shampooing and deep conditioning your hair, even when it is in its protective style. Since it's cold you want to reduce your wash day to once a week, but don't do away with it completely. Weekly wash days will help to decrease itching, shedding and breakage. A weekly hot oil treatment can do wonders for your scalp, which can get very dry and itchy. We suggest you only keep your braided protective styles in for six to eight weeks at the most, to avoid knotting and product buildup, which will lead to further breakage.

There are hair products that contain chemicals that can be harmful to your hair. Keenly look at the ingredients used to make the products and ensure that there are none that can harm your hair. The natural the ingredients the better. Most of the commercially available hair care products we are exposed to today use harmful and potentially carcinogenic ingredients. It good to be cautious when it comes to what you put on your hair. 

There you have it. By following these 6 tips, you can prevent winter breakage and maybe even see some growth when summer shows up. 

 

To celebrate the beauty of our natural hair this Africa Month, iNdoni Naturals and YAZA are giving away two hair care hampers to keep your coils moisturised and protected this winter. 

Here’s how to enter: