1. Problem: Dry air = dry hair. This time of year it is crucial that we moisturize our hair. When you combine the low humidity in the air, home heating, and the extra clothes rubbing all over our hair, it is no wonder our hair gets super dry and full of static!
Solutions: A good balance of moisture and protein will help. I am a huge fan of hair masks and leave-in conditioners! Joico kpak, Joico moisture recovery, and Olaplex are some of my favorite masks. Masks should be done once or twice a week. I recommend alternating between protein and moisture. It is important to have a balance of the two. A common problem I see is every product the client is using has protein (aka keratin). You can definitely over do it. Too much keratin and not enough moisture can cause your hair to become brittle, causing more breakage. The best combination I have found is to do one moisture mask and one protein mask a week, or every other week. The leave-in conditioner I recommend using every time after you wash your hair. It will help detangle and most leave-ins have heat protectant. It's a 10 is my favorite leave-in conditioner, they have a light version too if your hair tends to get oily or weighed down easily.
2. Problem: Static!!! I feel your pain, and I know how frustrating static can be. I have a few solutions for you though!
Solutions: Dryer sheets and having the right level of humidity in your home will reduce static tremendously. Also, use combs and brushes that are static resistant. I use them at the salon. They are not always 100% resistant, but they definitely help. Another great tool is an Ionic hair dryer. Ions help neutralize the electric charge that creates static.
Quick fix tip: If you are leaving the house and struggling with static in your hair, smooth it down with some hairspray and your hands.
3. Problem: Dry scalp. No one likes a dry, itchy, and flaky scalp that comes with the dry winter air.
Solutions: Some of the things I recommend above will help with this problem as well. For example when you use your moisture mask, you can massage your scalp with the treatment to give your scalp some moisture. Check your ingredients, shampoos that contain sulfates can dry your scalp, so you may want to switch to a sulfate free shampoo. Also the fragrance in your shampoo can cause irritation. Lastly, you can give yourself a scalp massage using essential oils (make sure they are safe for skin application). I have been providing scalp massages for my clients using All-Nutrient's Pure Oil. It contains some of my favorite ingredients including Shea butter, Vitamin E, and Chamomile.
If your scalp is oily and flaky, it may be something more than dry scalp. You may want to consult you physician as they can prescribe medicated shampoo.