Winter Bonding: How Cold Weather Affects Hair System Glue

Most advice about hair system adhesive is written with summer in mind: heat, humidity and sweat. Winter brings a different set of problems. Cold, damp air changes how water-based adhesives dry, central heating dries out the scalp, and hats and scarves rub at the hairline every day. None of this means your bond has to suffer, but it does mean adjusting your routine for the colder months.

Adhesive takes longer to dry

GHOSTBOND adhesives are water-based, which means each layer sets as its water content evaporates. In a cold or damp room that happens more slowly, and a layer can feel dry on the surface while it is still wet underneath. Placing your system onto adhesive that has not fully dried is one of the most common causes of early lift in winter.

Bond in a warm, dry room rather than a cold bathroom full of steam, and allow more time between layers than you would in summer. Each layer should turn completely from milky white to clear before the next goes on. A hairdryer on a cool setting helps the process along without overheating the skin.

Dry, flaky skin weakens the bond

Central heating and cold wind both dry out the scalp. Dry skin sheds flakes, and adhesive applied over loose flakes is bonding to skin that is about to come away. Gentle exfoliation a day or two before you rebond clears that layer and gives the adhesive a sound surface. GHOSTBOND Smooth Start Exfoliating Gel (formerly the Apricot Exfoliating Cream) is made for exactly this.

If your skin feels tight, it is tempting to moisturise the whole scalp. Keep moisturiser away from the bond area itself, since any oil or cream left on the skin stops the adhesive gripping. Moisturise elsewhere, and make sure the bond area is clean and dry before you apply adhesive. A scalp protector gives the adhesive a consistent surface while protecting the skin underneath.

Hats, hoods and scarves

A hat pulled off from the front catches the hairline on its way, and a woollen scarf rubs at the nape all day. Over a week that friction is enough to start a lift. Take hats off from the back, lifting rather than dragging, and check the front edge and nape when you get home. Catching a small lift early and resealing it is far easier than dealing with a bond that has worked loose.

Warm inside, cold outside

Winter often means moving between a cold street and a hot train, office or shop, usually with a hat or hood on. That is when many wearers sweat more than they realise. If your bond tends to fail on busy commuting days, a scalp antiperspirant such as No Sweat applied before bonding reduces the moisture reaching the adhesive. Our guide to scalp antiperspirant for hair systems explains how to use it.

Store your adhesive at room temperature

Water-based adhesives should not be allowed to freeze. Keep your bottles indoors, away from radiators and windowsills, and do not leave them in a car, garage or shed overnight in cold weather. If a bottle has been somewhere very cold and the contents have separated, turned lumpy or no longer dry clear, replace it rather than risk a weak bond.

Choosing an adhesive for winter

Your needs can change with the season. Wearers who sweat less in winter sometimes find that GHOSTBOND Classic gives all the everyday hold they need, or prefer Supreme (now Motion) for its invisible finish on lace and poly bases. If you still sweat under layers or have oily skin, XL (now Endure) and Platinum (now Sport) remain the stronger choices. Our GHOSTBOND comparison guide sets out the differences.

Still lifting?

If your system keeps lifting whatever the weather, the cause may lie in preparation, application or the fit of the base. Our guide to why a hair system lifts works through each cause in turn, and our studio in Chipping Sodbury, Bristol can check the fit of your system in person through hair4alluk.com. Every adhesive and scalp product mentioned here is in our GHOSTBOND collection, with free UK delivery on orders over £50.