With the arrival of winter comes dry, frigid air that damages hair. Whether you’re outside shoveling snow or cozying up with hot cocoa indoors, the chilly weather saps the moisture from your hair and skin, leaving you with frizzy strands and an itchy, flaky scalp. Stay in touch with your favorite hair salon and follow the steps below to keep your locks hydrated this season.

How to Maintain Healthy Hair in the Winter

1. Use a Scalp Oil

For many, the increase in flakes and uncomfortable, itchy feeling in the scalp are telltale signs of winter. A replenishing oil treatment can help strengthen and nourish the roots and brittle ends. Massage the scalp with olive, coconut, jojoba, or tea tree oils a few times a week to soothe and moisturize. Apply a small amount of oil to damaged ends daily.

2. Cover Your Hair

In addition to cold temperatures, wind and snow can agitate and dry out tresses, causing breakage. Wear a hat or scarf to create a barrier against the winter elements. To prevent friction and excessive static from fabrics like cotton and wool, use a silk scarf or line hats with a silk or satin cloth. If you’re worried about unsightly hat hair and frizziness, bring a dry oil spray to fight static and restore the shine to your strands.

3. Get a Regular Trim

Cutting off brittle split ends is not only satisfying, but it’s also healthy. Go to a hair salon for a trim every month or two to keep locks looking fresh and encourage new growth. Have the stylist take off at least half an inch to remove the worst of the damage.

4. Limit Styling

If you love to style your hair, take it easy during the winter. Applying heat causes damage, which is amplified in cold weather when hair is already dry and prone to breakage. Avoid straightening or curling during this time. If you must, apply a heat protection serum. Air-drying is ideal in winter, but give the hair time to dry completely before leaving the house. Wet hair is more vulnerable to damage and may freeze and break in the cold.

5. Apply Hair Masks

These luxurious moisturizers make your tresses feel silky and smooth. A quality deep-conditioning hair mask nourishes and softens parched strands while stimulating growth, leading to healthier hair over time. For the best results, apply a mask once a week.