Even if you don’t recognise his name, you’ve definitely seen Chris McMillan’s work. He’s the celebrity hairstylist behind The Rachel—Jennifer Aniston’s iconic haircut from Friends—and he knows a thing or two about healthy hair.
In a recent TikTok, McMillan didn’t sugar-coat it, saying “winter is the worst for hair.” And honestly? He’s not wrong. Between freezing temperatures outside, dry heated air indoors, and styling hair more often, winter can be tough on both your hair and scalp.
At Pankhurst and Deane we wholeheartedly agree. The colder months put extra stress on hair, but the good news is you don’t need to completely change your routine—just make a few smart adjustments. Here are McMillian’s five common winter hair mistakes - and how to fix them.
1. Taking super hot showers
We get it—nothing feels better in winter than a steaming hot shower. But McMillan calls scalding hot water one of the biggest mistakes for hair health. Hot water strips away the natural oils your scalp needs, leaving hair dry, dull, and more prone to irritation.
Try this instead: Turn the temperature down slightly when washing your hair. Warm water is enough to cleanse without causing damage.
2. Not hydrating enough
Hydration is everything in winter. McMillan describes it as creating a barrier that protects hair from the elements—and that barrier really matters when hair is constantly moving between cold air outside and dry indoor heating.
A lightweight leave-in conditioner, serum or a small amount of oil can go a long way in keeping hair softer and less frizzy.
3. Wearing ‘protective’ styles that pull
Protective styles can help in winter—but only if they’re actually gentle. Tight ponytails, slicked-back buns, or braids that pull at the hairline can create ongoing tension, especially if worn regularly.
If a style feels uncomfortable, causes headaches, or pulls around the edges, it’s probably doing more harm than good.
4. Skipping treatment time
One of McMillan’s favourite tips is “multi-masking.” Basically, if you’re wearing a slicked-back style, turn it into a treatment moment. Apply a conditioning mask, nourishing oil, or deep conditioner, slick it back, and let it work while you go about your day.
It’s an easy way to add moisture without adding extra steps—perfect for winter when hair tends to feel drier than usual.
5. Heat styling without protection (or skipping conditioner altogether)
Heat styling plus dry winter air is a recipe for breakage if hair isn’t protected. McMillan stresses using heat protection every time and not skipping conditioner during the colder months.
Heat protectants help reduce damage and frizz, while regular conditioning keeps hair softer, smoother, and less prone to snapping.
Here’s the thing: Most winter hair damage is fixable. Simple changes—cooling down your showers, keeping hair hydrated, choosing styles that don’t pull, and always using heat protection—can make a noticeable difference.