Summer Hair Care Tips
Summertime Hair Care Tips
Most of us are quick to acknowledge the need to protect our skin from the rigors of sun, but what about our hair??
Summer is a season of exposure to sun, salt water, and chlorine — not to mention a few extra chemical sun streaks for style — can come together to wreak havoc on our tresses. By the end of the summer, hair can become so dehydrated it looks and feels nearly fried.
When hair dehydrates it becomes brittle and when it becomes brittle you get the broken split ends that go up the hair shaft and cause fuzziness and frizziness and sometimes breakage; it’s a cumulative process.
So now what? Well here are a few ways to help protect your hair for the summer….
Get a haircut. It’s always best to get a trim before summer. The sun will do extra damage to hair that’s already dry, so if you remove those dead ends, you’ll be in better shape.
Start in the shower. If you’ve been out in the sun and forgot to protect your hair, you can still give it the nourishment it needs. Opt for a hydrating shampoo and conditioner.
Use UV-shielding products. You slap sunscreen on your skin to prevent burns. And likewise, an array of products are specifically designed to protect your hair from UV rays. These can help prevent highlighted hair from lightening too quickly and looking fried, and they can keep dark hair from turning brassy or red.
Dampen your locks. Spray some water on your hair before you go into the pool or ocean. It adds an extra layer of coating, so when you go swimming, your hair isn’t as likely to absorb 100 percent of the chlorinated water.
Brush carefully. Since hair is most fragile when it’s wet, don’t rip a brush through it after swimming. Spray some detangler on it, and then use a wide-tooth comb to minimize breakage.
Choose strong hair bands. Summer heat practically demands we throw our hair back, and a ponytail with no part can even protect the scalp from exposure to the sun. The problem is that pulling it too tight can cause hair to break.
Wear a hat – or something cuter. It’s one of the best ways to protect your hair from the sun’s rays.