Your kinky curly fro needs attention through all the months of the year. Summer with its humidity and hot temperatures wreaks plenty of havoc but once the temperature starts dropping, you'll need to upgrade your hair game to protect your precious kinky curly tresses. All is not lost, there are different ways to protect your natural hair against the harsh winter months. Here are some ways that work like a charm.

You may already be using deep and leave-in conditioners to maintain your naturally curly hair. But during winters, it is important to be generous with your conditioner. Use both deep conditioning and leave-in conditioners on your hair. Are you concerned about buildup on your scalp? The best way to condition your hair during winters is to deep condition it first, then shampoo, and end with a leave-in conditioner.

As the winter months set in, say goodbye to wearing your hair down too often. Care for your kinky curls in winter by wearing them in protective hairstyles. Bantu knots, braids, top knots, and twists are some of the hairstyles that will protect your hair ends from the harsh winds. Before donning cotton or wool caps, ensure that you use a head wrap to retain the moisture in your hair.

Another conditioning treatment that you can sweet almond oil benefit from is oiling your natural hair before shampooing it. Use castor oil, olive oil, instead of coconut oil that solidifies in winter. These oils are very easily absorbed into your hair shaft and help seal in moisture. Applying oil to your hair before shampooing, ensures that your cuticles are smoothened and reduces frizz.

One of the best ways of protecting your natural hair during the winter season is to use a natural hair wig. U-part wigs have an opening in them, pull your kinky curly hair through it and blend it in. Lace front wigs, on the other hand, are full wigs with a 3 inch lace at the front. These wigs offer the best protection for your natural hair by completely covering it.

While it is a good idea to wash your hair often in summer to get rid of the sweat and grime, be extremely careful of your hair washing habits in winter. Washing your hair more than once a week may end up stripping your hair of its natural oil – this will make your hair dry and give it a dull look. Change your hair washing habits for the winter months so that it retains the moisture as well as the natural oils. Co-washing cleans your hair without removing the natural oils or making your hair dry. A good moisturizing shampoo is the answer when you don’t want to engage in co-washing.

When you are planning to brave the weather without wearing a wig or a head wrap, ensure that you use a good sealing product. This product not only locks in the moisture in your hair, but it also acts as a barrier between the cold winds and your natural hair. Coconut oil and shea butter are among the most popular sealants, but they solidify in winters. Your best bet is to use jojoba oil, olive oil, and almond oil as sealants.

You may love straightening your natural kinky hair and styling it in different ways. However, it is best that you cut back or avoid using any heat styling on your hair during winters. Using heat to style your hair removes all the moisture in your hair and makes it very dry – not something you need in the naturally cold and dry months.

Choose to finger comb

It is recommended that you do not use a comb while detangling your natural hair during winters. Finger combing is the perfect way to get rid of the knots without putting much stress on your hair. Finger combing must only be done on wet hair. Using your fingers on dry hair is not recommended as it may place stress on your hair and cause breakage or excessive shedding.  

Keeping an eye on what you eat can ensure that your hair growth is consistent, and your hair follicles and scalp remain healthy. Include foods such as spinach and eggs in your diet that are rich in minerals and vitamins. Since retaining the moisture in your hair is vital in the winter month to drink at least eight glasses of water every day.

Use these tips to strengthen your winter care regimen, and you will not have to worry about hair loss or your natural hair losing its shine. The overall goal of these winter maintenance tips is to retain moisture in your natural hair, which in turn protects its elasticity and keeps it strong.