WHY YOUR HAIR CHANGES IN THE COLDER MONTHS

Why Your Hair Changes in the Colder Months (And How to Protect It)

Well Stalkers, we’re halfway through autumn, Christmas planning is already underway, and across Britain the central heating has officially been switched on!

Yet, whilst the cosy atmosphere is lovely, the colder months are not exactly kind to our hair..

Just like your skin, your hair and scalp react to the change in weather, sometimes more than you may realise. If you’ve been noticing dryness, dullness, static, or more shedding than usual, here’s exactly why it happens and what you can do about it.

Why Hair Changes in Autumn & Winter

#1. Dry air (inside and outside) pulls moisture from our hair. Outside, humidity drops dramatically in colder weather. Inside, radiators dry the air even further.

This means moisture is pulled from your hair and scalp all day long, which leads to:

-Dryness

-Frizz

-Tangles

-Dullness

-Irritated or flaky scalp

It’s the same reason your hands feel tight, your lips crack, and your face begs for more moisturiser!

#2. Cold air shocks the hair cuticle. Every time we move between warm indoor heating and cold outdoor air, our hair cuticle experiences a sudden temperature change. This can cause the cuticle to lift, making hair feel rougher (coarser) and more prone to breakage.

#3. We drink less water in winter! We naturally hydrate more in summer because we sweat and crave cooler drinks. In winter, even though the body still needs the same amount of water, we feel less thirsty. Add in cosy winter drinks like tea, coffee based drinks and hot chocolates (many of which are diuretics), and we end up more dehydrated than we think.

Dehydration affects:

-Hair elasticity

-Scalp comfort

-Shine

-Hair growth itself

#4. Less Sunshine = Less Vitamin D. As daylight hours shorten and sunshine becomes rare over winter, our vitamin D levels can drop.

Vitamin D plays a key role in:

-Hair growth cycles

-Immune function

-Mood

-Energy

Low vitamin D is one of the reasons people often notice increased hair shedding in late autumn and winter.

#5. Immune system stress = More hair fall. Autumn and winter are both the peak months for cold and flu season. When your body is fighting illness, or your immune system is under pressure, hair growth can temporarily shift into a resting/shedding phase.

This type of shedding is common, and often peaks around good couple of weeks (sometimes months) after being unwell, meaning many people see more hair fall around this time of year.

#6. Winter comfort foods can affect your hair too. It’s completely normal to crave warming, comforting meals during colder months. But these foods are often lower in fresh nutrients, higher in carbs, and not always rich in the vitamins and minerals hair needs to grow. All of this creates the “perfect storm” for changes in hair texture, hydration, and growth.

How to Support Your Hair & Scalp Through Autumn and Winter

Here are our top professional tips that we’ve made simple, effective, and perfect for the colder months ahead:

#1. Prioritise Hydration (Inside and Out)

Sip warm water, herbal teas, or lemon water to stay hydrated without relying on diuretics. Your hair reflects your internal hydration more than you’d think.

#2. Nourish Your Hair With Moisture-Rich Products

We recommend enriching your routine with Davines, especially during autumn and winter. Here’s what works best at this time of year:

For Everyday Dryness:

Davines Essentials: NOUNOU, MOMO, and LOVE SMOOTHING are perfect for restoring softness and moisture. Ask your Quirker which of these three will suit your hair best!

For Targeted Weekly Treatments:

The Circle Chronicles Masks - especially The Spotlight, The Renaissance, or The Hydrating Circle for a quick moisture boost. These are great as they are travel friendly, and small enough for a couple of sessions so you don't get bored using the same one each month! (£11.50 each).

For scalp concerns (itching, flaking, sensitivity):

Davines Naturaltech - Calming, Purifying, or the Renewing treatment supports scalp health when winter dryness kicks in! These deeply nourishing formulas will also help to restore shine, control frizz, and protect the cuticle from harsh weather changes.

Your Quirker can help you navigate which will be more suitable out of those three, so be sure to ask when you next stop by!

#3. Support Your Body From the Inside With ‘Glowwa’ Vitamins

With less sunshine, lower vitamin D, stressed immune systems, and changes to diet, your hair needs a little internal support at this time of year. That’s why we recommend Glowwa supplements. There are three to choose from within the range:

Glowwa Original. This boosts hair growth, shine, and strength (pink tub).

Glowwa Men’s. This supports hair, immunity, digestion, brain health and prostate health. (beige tub).

Glowwa Meno. This is ideal for anyone navigating hair and hormonal changes around perimenopause/menopause. (purple tub).

Glowwa provides the essential nutrients that colder months steal from us, including vitamin D support, stress management, immune support, and hydration balance!

#4. Protect Against Friction

Winter hats, scarves and collars can roughen the cuticles of our hair, and can cause breakage. A silk lined hat or silk scarf underneath wool layers makes a world of difference. These are becoming easier to find in shops and online now.

#5. Reduce Heat Tool Stress

Hair is more fragile when dry, so try reducing heat styling or use lower temperatures, and as always, apply a thermal protector!

#6. Keep Up With Regular Trims

Ends dry out way faster in winter, more regular maintenance trimming prevents splitting working its way up higher in your hair, and keeps your hair looking healthier between visits.

Final Thoughts!

Autumn and winter can be challenging for your hair, between the lack of humidity, indoor heating, diet changes, reduced sunlight, and cold-and-flu season, your hair and scalp are doing their best to keep up! But with the right care routine, products, and nutrients, your hair can stay shiny, strong, hydrated, and healthy all season long!

If you’d like personalised advice or want to update your autumn/winter routine, we’re always here to guide you.

You’ll find Glowwa supplements and our full range of Davines Essentials, Naturaltech, and Circle Chronicles right here in our cosy Northwich salon, and we’re happy to help you choose what’s best for your hair with you!

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