Give your hair and scalp a nutritious boost during the dry winter months….

This time of year, we spend a lot more time indoors with the heaters going full blast. Some people use humidifiers to offset the dry air created by an increase in temperature levels indoors. Since winter air has low humidity, it dries out our skin and mucous membranes, making skin itchy and our hair dull and flat. With wintertime humidity so low, what little moisture is around is quickly sucked up into the air.  

To offset the dry air indoors and lack of moisture in the air, and to give your skin, scalp and hair a boost, try the following tips:

1. Use a humidifier. Running a humidifier in your home will add moisture to the dry air.
2. Seal your home. Prevent the cold, dry air outside from entering your home by ensuring doors and windows are adequately sealed.
3. Hydrate often. Keep your skin hydrated by drinking water throughout the day.
4. Shorten your showers. Long, hot showers dehydrate the skin and scalp.
5. Moisturize. Try giving your hair and scalp a boost with a hair mask. Recipe below!

FLAXSEED HAIR MASK FOR ITCHY DRY SCALP

• 2-3 tbsp. flaxseed oil (depending on hair length)
• 3 tbsp. sugar
• 3 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• 2 cups of water
• Spray bottle
• Plastic cap

Mix the flaxseed oil and sugar in a small bowl and massage it into your scalp.

Cover with a plastic cap and towel for 20 min.

In the shower, pour the apple cider vinegar and water into a spray bottle and spray 1/2 on hair. Pour the balance on the scalp. Massage and let sit for 5 minutes. Rinse under warm water thoroughly. 

If you can style hair as usual without shampooing, great as this will leave some of the oil on hair and scalp. If the apple cider vinegar doesn’t remove enough oil, then shampoo and condition as usual.