The summer weather can play havoc with our hair, and as we all try to take advantage of the sunny weather, it’s important to take measures to protect it.
Whether you’re heading for a
foreign beach holiday this summer, a simple UK staycation, or an afternoon in the park with friends, keep in mind that soaking up the warm weather and swimming in the pool or the ocean can dry out your hair, leaving it stressed and frizzy, and you can even get scalp sunburn.
The hot summer sun can break down artificial hair dyes, and cause coloured locks to fade, lighten, or become a rusty or brassy tone after sun exposure. To preserve your shade, look for hair products that offer sun protection and always use a UV protectant spray when sun-worshipping.
The best way to protect your hair is with a hat, so for a day at the beach, channel your inner Bianca Jagger and don a wide-brimmed hat, that will also help protect your skin from the harmful UV rays.
The summer heat can make hair dry and brittle, and using hot tools when styling your hair won’t help much at all. While there are heat protectant products to use before any thermal styling, the best way is to try and avoid hot hair tools completely.
Embrace your natural texture, and even try sleeping in braids, as it will add a cool, beachy texture without needing any heated tools.
Saltwater and sun exposure can dehydrate hair leaving the ends feeling dry. Before diving in, try pre-dampening your hair, applying a leave-in conditioner, and wrapping strands in a bun.
By pre-dampening and applying product, your hair is less likely to absorb water— hair retains water like a sponge, and if it is full of water/product, it will not absorb more water.
Blondes need to be careful when jumping in the pool, as the chlorine in pool water will discolour alone hair, at best dulling the colour and at worst leaving it with a green tone.
After a day at the beach, shampoo your locks and apply a nourishing hair mask. Use a wide-toothed comb to gently distribute the mask from root to tip and process for 5 minutes. Rinse and apply a leave-in conditioner or styling balm.