6 essential winter hair care tips for women – The ultimate guide to hair care for winter

Winter hair woes

You’re in the mood to celebrate because the summer season is finally over and you thought so are your summer hair woes. But hang on there a second, summer’s over but winter is just around the corner. Winter is a beautiful season and reason for a lot of festivities but the cold temperatures and dry weather can wreak havoc on your hair. Be prepared to face hair problems like dry hair, dandruff, static hair, frizziness, split ends and bad hair days that seem to last for a month. Here are 7 winter hair care tips to keep your hair as healthy and gorgeous as always.

1) Use Shampoo Sparingly

Cold winter winds are drying not only for your skin but also for your hair and scalp. Shampooing your hair too often further increases the dryness caused by the cold weather leading your hair to become dull, dry and brittle. Avoid shampooing your hair more than twice a week. Also, avoid using hot water for rinsing your hair as hot water will make your hair frizzy. Lukewarm water and mild shampoo are ideal choices for winter.

2) Conditioning is a must

A good conditioner that moisturizes hair is a must-have for the winter season. Do not apply conditioner to your scalp, just the hair strands. Deep conditioning and using a hair mask once a week is a good way to retain hair’s moisture and shine.

3) Avoid using hair dryer

The ideal option is to let your hair dry naturally. Hair dryers expose your hair to a lot of heat which damages your hair and makes it frizzy. When you do have to use blow dryers, make sure that it is set in the ‘cool’ mode.

4) Wear a scarf or a hat

Letting your hair toss around in the cold wind is a bad idea. Wear a scarf, hat or a cap to protect your hair from the cold winds, lock the moisture of your hair and save it from breakage.

5) Oil your hair regularly

During winter hair needs as much as moisture as it can get. Massage your hair and scalp with warm olive oil. Leave it on for a few hours and then rinse it off with a mild shampoo. Olive oil infuses your hair with moisture, shine and bounce.

6) Fighting dandruff

Arrival of winter also means having to deal with hair problems like dandruff and itchy scalp. Here’s a tip on how to get rid of dandruff – Heat your hair oil until it is warm to touch. Add a few drops of lemon juice to it and mix well. Apply this mixture to your scalp and massage thoroughly. Leave it on for a few hours and then wash it off with a good hydrating shampoo. Using a good moisturizing conditioner will help to retain the moisture in your hair for a long time.

With these hair care tips, you’re sure to have a fun-filled winter. We all face different hair problems during the winter, share yours with us in the comments section below. Or if you have any more suggestions or solutions, please do tell!. Wishing you all a happy and fun-filled winter!

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What Women Can Do To Treat Hair Loss

Our obsession with our hair reaches a whole new level when we start losing it. What we could once bend (or straighten or color) to our will feels suddenly, terrifyingly beyond our control. Or is it? Many of the causes of hair loss -- crash dieting, reactions to medications -- are temporary; address the underlying issue and your hair will grow back. Unfortunately, the most common culprit, genetic female pattern hair loss, is chronic. But you don't have to operate at a loss.

You're Not Alone
Sixty percent of women are dealing with some degree of hair loss ... or have in the past ... or will in the future.

The Good Bets

The topical solution
Minoxidil (brand name Rogaine), the only FDA-approved medication for female hair loss, is available over-the-counter in 2 and 5 percent formulas. (Only the lower dose is approved for women.) Massage it into your scalp twice a day; you should notice regrowth in six months. Results last only as long as you use the medicine. ($50 for a three-month supply)

The prescription drug 
Spironolactone (brand name Aldactone) and finasteride (brand names Propecia and Proscar) are antiandrogen medications that can be prescribed off-label to postmenopausal women. (The drugs can cause birth defects, so they're not given to women of childbearing age.) Some 50 percent of women with female pattern hair loss will likely see regrowth. (Up to $90 for a one-month supply)

The permanent route
With a hair transplant, hair is removed from one part of the scalp and then implanted where you're thinning. Tiny "follicular units" of two to four hairs are transplanted; this can be effective even for women with diffuse thinning and few areas of "donor hair." In a survey of hair transplant surgeons led by dermatologist Walter Unger, MD, over half said that at least 40 percent of women with female pattern hair loss are candidates for surgery; many of those doctors believe that up to 80 percent of women with thinning hair can see successful results. ($3,000 to $15,000, depending on number of grafts and transplant sessions)

Instant and Cheap Gratification

Fullmore ($22) is a tinted spray that temporarily thickens hair with tiny fibers and conceals visible scalp. Hair restoration specialist Lucinda Ellery tells clients to try it before committing to extensions; for many it's the only fix they need.

Pantene AgeDefy Advanced Thickening Treatment ($20) is a styling spray that plumps each hair fiber. In a study published in the British Journal of Dermatology in 2011, it increased the diameter of individual hairs significantly, by about 10 percent.

The Future Looks Bright (and Very Full)
Not satisfied with existing hair loss solutions? Sit tight...

Some doctors are already using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to stimulate hair growth, and there are many studies under way on the best methods to harness the technology. When separated from a patient's own blood, platelets release growth factors, which are then injected into the scalp to stimulate the hair shafts. "So far we're seeing decreased hair loss after one or two treatments, and some degree of new growth after three to five," says New York City dermatologist Neil Sadick, MD.

Bimatoprost, the synthetic prostaglandin in the prescription lash-growth serum Latisse, is in clinical trials for FDA approval as a topical scalp hair loss treatment. It could be available in the next few years.

Many researchers are investigating hair cloning. "I am hopeful that by 2025, we will be able to multiply hair from a small biopsy to produce unlimited follicles for transplantation," says hair restoration surgeon Alan Bauman, MD.

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20 Home remedies for all your hair problems

It is alright to have a bad hair day once in a blue moon, but having bad hair all year long is a completely no-no.

To rescue you from the dull, lifeless, thinning hair and various other hair problems, Dr. Sandeep Suttar - Hair Restoration and Skin Rejuvenation Surgeon at Hairrevive, Mumbai, shares some extremely beneficial home remedies right from your kitchen that will help you have thicker, stronger and manageable hair.

Hair problem # 1: Hair Loss
Home remedy: Hot oil treatment

Ingredients:
Any natural oil - olive oil, canola coil, coconut oil or castor oil

Method:
1. Heat any of the above natural oil so that it is warm.
2. Massage it gently into your scalp.
3. Leave it overnight or for an hour, then shampoo your hair.

Home remedy: Coconut milk

Ingredients:
Coconut milk (grind some coconut shavings and squeeze them well)

Method:
1. Apply some coconut milk all over the scalp and massage into the hair roots.
2. Leave it on for 1-2 hours and then wash it off thoroughly.

Home remedy: Mustard and Henna leaves

Ingredients:
Mustard oil
Henna leaves

Method:
1. Boil some mustard oil in a tin basin and add one pinch henna leaves to it gradually, till it is burnt in the oil.
2. Filter the oil using a fine cloth.
3. Regularly massage your head with this oil to promote hair growth.

Hair problem # 2: Unwanted hair growth
Home remedy: Sugar squeezer

Ingredients:
Sugar
Freshly squeezed lemon
Water

Method:
1. Mix some sugar with freshly squeezed lemon juice in a bowl containing some water.
2. Apply this paste on the affected area, and leave it on for 15 minutes.
3. Keep rubbing the area and then rinse well with cold water.

Home remedy: Besan with yoghurt

Ingredients:
Besan
Turmeric
Yoghurt

Method:
1. Make a paste by adding some turmeric, besan and yoghurt.
2. Apply the paste to the affected area and allow it to dry.
3. Rub the dried paste for a while and then wash it off gently.
4. Apply some moisturiser to the area once done.

Home remedy: Lemon and honey

Ingredients:
Lemon
Honey

Method:
1. Make a mixture by using equal amount of honey and lemon.
2. Apply it to the affected area and leave it for 10-15 minutes.
3. Wash it off with cold water.

Hair problem # 3: Grey hair
Home remedy: Coconut oil and lemon

Ingredients:
Coconut oil
Lemon

Method:
1. Mix coconut oil with a dash of lemon juice, and apply this mixture on your head.
2. Leave it for about 10-15 minutes.

Home remedy: Amla magic

Ingredients:
Amla
Coconut oil

Method:
1. Boil some amla pieces in coconut oil, until they turn black.
2. Apply this paste on your hair and then wash your hair thoroughly.

Home remedy: Curry leaves cure

Ingredients:
Crushed curry leaves
Coconut oil

Method:
1. Take 7-8 crushed curry leaves and heat it some coconut oil.
2. Strain the mixture and apply it on your scalp when it is lukewarm.
3. Wash it off after 1 hour.

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How to Get a Perfect Blowout at Home

Whatever your hairstyle, we've got a DIY blowout plan for you

Salon-worthy locks
Love how your hair looks when you leave the salon? We have expert advice on how to get the just-blown-out look at home, whether you crave hair that's silky-smooth, has lots of bounce, or a style that plays up your cut's texture or your natural curls.

Bombshell bounce
To get that sought-after "red carpet-style curl," as Drybar founder Alli Webb calls it, start by prepping wet hair with a protein-rich smoothing cream, then rough-dry strands until they're 80 to 90 percent dry. Next, reach for a boar-bristled round brush: "Brush small sections of hair forward toward the mirror and then straight back, following the direction of the dryer's airflow to smooth the cuticle and create movement," says Johnny Gaita, a New York City stylist. Finish by twisting 1- or 2-inch pieces of hair around the brush as you blast it with heat to give ends a bouncy curl. Let strands cool, then spritz with a lightweight hairspray.

Textured bob
Best for chin- to shoulder-length bobs, this look is so easy, it doesn't even require a brush. "The trick is to use your free hand like a brush to stretch hair while the heat from the dryer guides it," says Gaita. Prep hair with a volumizing mousse for lift and control. Then create a Mohawk-like section by pulling hair back from eyebrow to eyebrow toward crown; secure out of the way. Hold the dryer behind your head, point the air toward your chin and use your fingers to pull hair in the direction of the airflow on each side.
Next, tackle the Mohawk section: Grab and hold up a 1-inch section of hair, aim the dryer from behind and blast from root to tip. Continue throughout this section, then blow both of the sides toward chin. For the back of the head, simply direct the air down and comb through hair with fingers until dry.

Defined, natural curls
Because curly hair lacks moisture, the key to frizz-free ringlets is hydration, says Morgan Willhite, a hairstylist in Santa Monica and creative director for Ouidad. When you get out of the shower, immediately apply a moisturizing leave-in conditioner from midshaft to ends. "It will make the foundation soft, so the styling product you apply next won't dry crunchy and tacky," says Willhite. Gently blot excess water with a towel, then apply a quarter-size drop of a water-based gel evenly throughout hair. For a bouncy finish, dry hair using an air-dispensing diffuser. Keep hands off while blow-drying, she adds: "Too much touching while hair is still wet will weigh down curls and create frizz."

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8 Effective Home Remedies To Treat Hair Thinning

Both men and women suffer from the problem of receding hairline these days. This problem can be attributed to factors like unhealthy lifestyle, nutritional deficiencies, allergies, hormonal imbalances, poor hair care and also simply one’s genes. There are a plethora of modern treatments and techniques available that promise to help you re-grow your crowning glory.

However, the consequences of these treatments are mostly adverse and the benefits marginal. If you wish to have a thick and voluptuous mane, natural home remedies are the best way forward. There are effective household tips that can easily fix hair thinning problems. Given below are some natural home remedies for thinning hair that have no side effects.

Home Remedies For Thin Hair

1. Aloe Vera:

Aloe Vera is an effective of all the hair thinning home remedies. Aloe Vera gel can easily be obtained by crushing a few fresh leaves. Massage your scalp with this gel and leave it for 30 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. You must also consume Aloe Vera juice everyday early in the morning to promote hair growth.

2. Eggs:

Eggs are a rich source of protein and sulphur. Frequent protein treatment is crucial for a thick, strong mane. Take an egg white and mix it with one table spoon of olive oil to form a paste. Apply this on the entire scalp and hair. Leave it for about 20 minutes and wash off thoroughly with cold water using your favourite shampoo. You can use this remedy weekly to flaunt fuller hair.

3. Avocado:

Avocado is well-known for its numerous health benefits. Mash avocado and banana together and massage your scalp with this mixture. Leave it on for 30 minutes so the nutrients get absorbed properly. Rinse off with a mild shampoo and apply conditioner afterwards. This remedy is sure to give your tresses a healthy and voluptuous look.

4. Amla:

When it comes to treating hair loss and thinning, Amla is the safest home remedy. It is a powerhouse of antioxidants and vitamin C. Besides being good for your hair, consuming Amla is also healthy for your body. Make a paste of Amla with fresh lime juice in equal quantity. You can either use herbal Amla powder available in the market or extract fresh juice from raw Amla. Apply this on the scalp and let it dry. Rinse off using warm water.

5. Fenugreek Seeds:

Fenugreek seed is a common household remedy to treat hair loss and thinning. Soak 2-3 table spoon fenugreek seeds, depending on your hair length, overnight in water. Rinse your hair with this potion to ward off dandruff and promote hair growth.

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