Fighting The Sun At Its Best!
After the long winter months, summer is finally upon us. As much as we look forward to the balmy, long days, the warmer weather can play havoc with your hair.
Natural hair and beach waves are on the cards, as it’s the season to embrace a loose and natural look. However, as nice as the heat and rays feel, they can leave your tresses looking lifeless and lacklustre.
Your summer hair care routine doesn’t have to be complicated and there are several easy things you can start doing today to keep your hair healthy all summer long. In this article, we delve into how to protect your hair from the heat, humidity and sun with minimal effort.
What Damage Can the Sun Do to Your Hair?
If your hair is exposed to the harmful rays of the sun for long periods of time, it can cause substantial damage.
The UVA and UVB can damage the hair cuticle, which is the protective outside layer of hair. When this is damaged the result can be brittle and dry hair which leads to split ends and frizziness. It can also cause discolouration and in worst cases, thinning of the hair.
Swimming Damage
Imagine, sitting by the pool, sipping on a cocktail. Naturally, you’re going to want to take a dip to cool off. However, the chlorine in the water is detrimental to the condition of your hair. Chlorinated water makes your hair weak and dry. In turn, this causes breakage. If you have dyed or bleached hair, the chlorine can also taint it.
The best way to avoid getting chlorine in your hair is to tie it up so it doesn’t get wet. If you really can’t resist going underwater, then rinse your hair as soon as you get out of the pool to minimize damage.
Summer Hair Care Tips
Whether you’re off on a summer vacation soon or relaxing in your backyard, follow our easy summer hair care tips to keep your locks looking in great condition. These six ideas will help make sure you have glossy locks all summer long.
Get a Haircut
By far the easiest solution to getting rid of damaged hair strands is to get a haircut. Summer is a great time for a new hairstyle. Not only is it a great time of year for a new look, it taking some of the lengths of your tresses is a quick way to cool down.
Once your hair had been damaged, and the split ends have set in, it’s impossible to repair the damage. If your hair is tangly and knots easily, split ends could be the reason. You can use various serums and hair masks to give the appearance of non-damaged hair, but unfortunately, the only way to truly get rid of them is by cutting them off.
Use a Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner
Frizzy hair is caused by a mix of environmental factors, your natural hair type, and hair damage. If you have frizzy hair, you can do several things to combat it.
Hydrating shampoos and conditioners contain ingredients to replenish the moisture in your hair. They help to keep your hair supple and seal the cuticle.
When you’re choosing a hydrating hair product, look for ones that contain ingredients like argan oil, coconut oil and butter, shea oil and avocado oil. These all contain properties that trap moisture.
Apply a Hair Mask
If you have sun-damaged hair it’s a good idea to use a hair mask to help repair any damage done. A hair mask is a little bit like a thick conditioner or oil. However, you soak your hair with it for a prolonged time.
For best results, use a hair mask after shampooing. Apply the mask, and then wrap your hair in a towel. Leave it on for as long as possible to let it soak in properly before rinsing out. For a more intense remedy, you might want a keratin smoothing treatment.
Use Products With a UV Filter
So we know about the importance of protecting our skin from the harmful rays of the sun by applying an SPF lotion, but we often overlook our hair.
When skin is exposed to the sun without protection, the tell-tale warning is sunburn that we can see and feel. However, it’s more difficult to see the damage from the and you can’t feel it at all. If your skin can be damaged, then so can your hair.
There are several UV-containing hair lotions that you can apply to your locks before going out in the sun to protect them. Another way to stop hair damage is by keeping your hair under a hat.
Use Leave-In Conditioner Before Swimming
We mentioned earlier in this article the negative effects of chlorine on hair. If you’re planning on going swimming in chlorinated water, then a great way to protect your hair is by using a leave-in conditioner.
This works by adding an extra barrier to your hair and protecting your hair’s cuticle. Before going into the pool, dampen your hair in the shower, then apply a liberal amount of leave-in conditioner. Rub this in so that all of your hair has a generous coating on it. Your hair will be protected from the pool water, the chlorine will not touch your hair. When you get out, have a shower to rinse your hair and body of chlorine.
Skip Blow Dryers, Flat or Curling Irons
Exposing your hair to excessive heat changes the shape of your hair’s keratin strands. Over time, this leads to weaker hair that’s more prone to damage. Give your hair a break from the damaging heat tools in the summer months.
Summer is a great time to let your hair dry naturally, and embrace the natural waves or curls in your hair. If you do find your hair is uncontrollable, then use a light serum, oil or wax to help tame it.
Keeping Your Hair Healthy in Summer: The Takeaway
This guide has given you great tips on keeping your hair healthy this summer. They are simple to e easy to incorporate into your current routine.
The key takeaways from this are to prevent the sun and pool from damaging your hair by using a mix of UV-protecting sprays and conditioners. Give your hair a hydrating treatment to reduce any damage done, and treat yourself to a fresh new haircut to get rid of split ends.
For the more great hair care tips for keeping your tresses in tip-top condition contact our knowledgeable team to find out more about our hair salon services.
