How to winterize your hair

With hundreds of hair care products on the market, making the right choice can be confusing. But caring for ethnic hair comes with its own challenges.


African-American hair is more prone to breakage and dryness — especially in the winter. It may look tougher, but it's actually more fragile than Caucasian hair.

Trying to find the right products, choosing the right styles and sticking to a maintenance schedule can prove a hassle.

And some of the "tried-and-true" advice for other ethnic groups is just plain wrong for African-American hair.

So let's demystify some of those common misconceptions:

Heavy, oily products are best for my hair because it's so dry in winter.
Back away from the heavy products. It makes sense that people want to grab the heavy body lotions and creams to soothe their dry skin during the winter, but it doesn't work for their hair.
Greasy products may actually [clog hair follicles and] cause other problems including scalp folliculitis and acne on the forehead and temples

I can wash my hair every day.
It depends on the hair type and texture. Very kinky to curly hair tends to be drier. If your hair is natural — no chemical process has been added to your hair — it's OK to rinse it everyday in the shower as long as a light conditioner is used. Natural hair loves water, but it's still important to keep it protected," she says. The extra curly hair cuticle — or outer layer — makes it more difficult for the oil secreted from the scalp to reach the ends of the hair, so don't forget to moisturize the hair. For relaxed hair — chemically processed for a straighter look — washing the hair once weekly is recommended. That's why it's important to lay off the heavy, petrolatum-based (petroleum jelly) products. Excessive washing can dry out relaxed hair, but you don't want to weigh it down with heavy product," he adds. Use light moisturizers and avoid excessive heat. And when you do wash it, make sure you use a deep conditioner.

Greasing the scalp will help with "dry-scalp" syndrome.
No, it won't. If your scalp is excessively dry, applying oil to it will not help — you may have a different problem. A flaky scalp is sometimes caused by a type of yeast overgrowth on the skin, resulting in a condition known as sebhorreic dermatitis.

It's cold outside, so I have to wear a hat almost everyday.
Hats can and will damage your hair. It is important to keep it moisturized with a light oil if you choose to wear one. If you can also find a hat with natural fibers, that is better than the typical wool hat.

If my hair is braided, I don't have to do anything to it.
We all know that this is definitely a myth! You have to keep your hair moisturized even with braids!! Stylists recommend a protein treatment, followed by a good conditioner to repair damaged hair before braiding it. If you do wear braids, be sure to wash your hair at least once a week. It's not OK to go longer than a week. Because you're not brushing or combing your hair on a daily basis, dirt and oil have more time to build up.

Braids are a good alternative when you want to give your hair a break from constant heat styling — curling irons and flat irons — but don't overdo it! Depending on the style, most experts recommend wearing your braids anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months.

I work out, so I have to use a curling iron every day.
Take a time-out from frequent heat styling, which can severely damage your hair. Check out these styles to help your hair recover.