One of the warmest materials to wear during cold weather is wool, and during freezing temperatures it’s important to keep all parts of your body warm, including your head by wearing a hat.
While a woolly hat can keep your head toasty, it can spell havoc for your locks. According to Sam Clinkir, CEO of skin and hair specialists Este Medical Group, choosing the wrong material for your hat can damage your hair.
He told Wales Online: “Wool is a popular choice for winter clothing as it’s a great natural insulator to keep warmth in, and it’s also a breathable material to prevent overheating.
“But winter is a time when our hair is particularly vulnerable to damage, and choosing the wrong material for comfy hats can be harmful.
“Cold air can suck the natural moisture from our hair, leaving it dry and brittle and prone to split ends and breakage.
“And wool and other dry fabrics can exacerbate this effect, also pulling moisture and the natural oils from our hair and scalps.”
Moisture is key to maintaining healthy hair, helping protect it from external factors such as the weather.
The body maintains moisture levels in hair with an oily substance called sebum.
Produced by the sebaceous glands, it coats the hair follicles to protect them from damage.
But cold and dry hair can suck moisture from hair, and wearing material like wool on your head can remove some of the sebum.
Mr Clinkir continued: “Hats are an important accessory for many of us so the key is choosing the right material to avoid damaging our hair.
“I would recommend materials which don’t cause friction with the hair, such as silk, and there are many hats that come with a silk lining. While winter can be an incredibly challenging time to keep our hair looking its best, there are a few ways to give it a helping hand.
“Washing our locks with lukewarm rather than hot water and avoiding heat styling can make a big difference.
“Meanwhile, I would also recommend a deep condition every week and moisturising the scalp with natural products such as coconut oil.”
