Many of us tend to think of summer as the time that's toughest on our locks, thanks to all that exposure to sunlight, chlorine, and saltwater — to say nothing of strand-expanding humidity. But winter comes with its own set of weather-induced frustrations, like dullness, breakage, and staticky locks. We tackled your trickiest winter hair woes and found easy, fast solutions.

Q:How can I make my scalp less flaky and dry?

A: "A change in weather can cause your scalp to peel," explains trichologist Lisa Akbari. "In the winter, there's less humidity in the air, which can dry out your scalp." If the peeling is persistent and comes with other symptoms (check out the ones below), you might have dandruff. In that case, you'll want to switch to a shampoo made to treat this condition. Most contain zinc or sulphur, which work as antibacterial agents to free follicles of buildup and eliminate flakes in a few weeks, says Akbari. See some of the surprising signs of dandruff listed below:

Your locks go limp all of a sudden. "Dandruff flakes can trap oil at the roots, so your mane might not have a healthy bounce like it used to," says trichologist Philip Kingsley.

You have a superdry face: "If spots that used to be oily, like your T zone, now feel tight, your scalp is also dehydrated and may start to peel," Akbari points out.

You notice redness or rashes on other parts of your body. "If you have bumps on the back of your arms or legs, your skin might be having a reaction, and you're more likely to develop dandruff," says Akbari.

For long locks

Q: My hair is always flat when I take off my hat. What can I do to prevent that?

A: "Before you slip it on, style your hair in a way that adds body," says Roszak. "Hats trap heat, causing your hair to hold whatever shape it's in, so if your hat's pushing down your mane, it stays that way." But if you boost it at the roots, you'll lock in volume, she explains. Depending on your length, here's what to do:


Short Hair: Pull the front section of your hair into four mini bumps, and secure with bobby pins before you put on your hat. remove the pins once you're inside, and flip head upside down, using your fingers to restyle.

Q: I have annoying static all winter. How can I tame it?

A: Static happens when your hair picks up an electrical charge from the dry air, explains Kingsley. "It's common in the chillier months because the air is less moist everywhere," he adds. Fight it by switching to a more hydrating shampoo and conditioner for your hair type, then use a tourmaline or ionic hair dryer—they don't suck out moisture like regular dryers can, says NYC hairstylist Orlando Pita. If your static persists, try out one of the solutions below, matched to your specific hair texture:

Fine/Straight Hair: Rub an antifrizz cream (like Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth Anti-Frizz Creme, $4.29, on just the tips of your hair to avoid greasy buildup. Carry a dryer sheet for touchups during the day.

Medium/Wavy Hair: Your hair is thick, so it can handle a rich conditioning spray to lock in moisture and beat static. Apply it on damp hair before you blow-dry. Try L'Oréal EverCreme Nourishing Leave-In Spray, $8.99,

Full/Curly Hair: Coarse hair needs a heavier leave-in or overnight cream, like Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Overnight Hair Rescue, $38,, to knock out static. Just be sure to avoid alcohol-based gels, which can dry out curls.

Spray your brush with a protective mist to seal in shine.

Q: My hair looks superdull right now. How can I make it glisten again?

A: "Dry air and windy weather can rough up your cuticle, taking away its natural sheen," explains celeb stylist Gretta Monahan. "Plus, if you use hot tools and dye your locks on top of that, it can really take a toll on your condition." You don't have to change your routine; just prevent damage from setting in with the advice below:

The Habit: Shampooing every day
The Fix: Look for ingredients like B5 and panthenol, which smooth the hair shaft. Try Pantene Pro-v Ice Shine Shampoo, $5.99,

The Habit: Blow-drying regularly
The Fix: Mist your brush with a nourishing heat-protectant spray to fend off dryness.

The Habit: Flatironing daily
The Fix: Rub regular olive oil onto the plates of your straightening iron once a week to keep hair from getting too fried.

The Habit: Coloring your locks monthly
The Fix: Switch to a dye formula that actually adds moisture while you color. We like Clairol Perfect 10, $13.49,

Source: Greta Monahan

Q: I like to scrunch gel into my curls while they're wet, but in the winter, they turn crunchy when I go outside. Is there a way to avoid this?

A: "Try not to leave with wet hair because even a little dampness will turn hair stiff," L.A. celeb hairstylist Mara Roszak advises. "Squeeze your tresses with a towel to absorb excess water, then flip your head over and blast with a diffuser. It takes just five minutes, and it'll keep your locks from freezing." Seal your spirals in place with the stylers below:

60 Degrees and Above: You're good with gel. Choose a moisturizing formula with botanical extracts that works with the humidity to hold the shape of your curl. Try Fekkai Au Naturel Sheer Styling Gel, $23,

59 to 41 Degrees: This is the best temperature for curls. Go for a non-silicone-based gel or mousse, such as Joico JoiWhip, $12,, to keep ringlets silky.

40 Degrees and Below: Curls can go stiff unless you choose a styler that softens. Pick a moisture-rich conditioning creme, like Tigi Bed Head foxy Curls Contour Cream, $12.75,, so they stay bouncy.

Source: Celeb Hairstylist Ouidad

Q: What's the best way to prevent the tangles on the underside of my hair?

A: The thicker fabrics we wear in the winter snag hair more easily than the lighter materials we choose in the summer do. "Pulling coats, sweaters, and scarves on and off; static; and dryness all add to the friction problem," says Roszak. "A classic ponytail will protect your hair from your clothes, but if you have shorter hair or wear it loose, keep the underneath smooth by flipping your head over and spraying on a moisturizing detangler. Use a widetooth comb to work out any stubborn snarls," she advises. Still have tangles? Consider some gentler materials.

Q: My mane is so brittle that I'm getting a ton of breakage and split ends. What can I do?

A: "Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!" says Monahan. "Dry ends split and break off, but you can prevent severe snapping by putting a humidifier in your bedroom to boost the moisture level in the air and getting a trim every six to eight weeks," she advises. "Your diet also plays a role in keeping your hair strong," says Kingsley. Fill up on strand-fortifying protein twice a day — have an omelet for breakfast, snack on a handful of almonds, or add a cup of leafy green vegetables, like spinach, to your lunch or dinner.

If you're doing everything you can to moisturize your locks and you still have breakage, try an intensive deep-conditioning treatment at home, suggests NYC hairstylist Jim Crawford. He shows you his simple pro technique: Apply a rich hair mask, then wrap cellophane over wet hair. Using the warm setting on your blow-dryer, slightly heat up your head so that the conditioners will penetrate deeply into the cuticle. Remove the cellophane, and rinse out locks once they cool. For seriously dry hair, leave the mask on overnight so your strands have more time to suck up the moisturizers, Crawford says.