Your skin isn't the only thing that needs to be protected from those hot summer rays. Sun damage and exposure can cause devastating effects on your tresses. And don't forget the chlorine in the swimming pool! Luckily there are many products that can remove harsh chemicals and remoisturize hair during these smoldering summer months.
Swimming
The sun and the chlorine from the swimming pool create dry and thirsty hair by stripping it of natural oils. All of the chemicals in chlorinated pools have a negative effect on your hair—especially if your hair is chemically treated or colored. If your hair is blonde or light brown, the chlorine can even turn your hair green!
Before and After You Swim
Before swimming, wet your hair and condition it. Your hair will absorb the conditioner and prevent chlorine from being absorbed into the hair shaft.
Cover your head. If you’re an athletic swimmer, or if you plan to swim every day this summer, protect your hair with a swim cap. It’s unhealthy to wash your hair every single day, so just avoid the process by covering your head.
If your hair feels extra sticky after a dip in the pool, give your curls a beer rinse to wash out all the chlorine. The malt and hops from the beer are known to repair damaged hair.
Use a leave-in conditioner before or after your dip in the pool. Moisture is the key to protecting your hair from the drying effects of chlorine.
Shower Tips for Post-Pool Hair
Wash your hair right away. Don’t wait until the next day. Do NOT use clarifying shampoo as, clarifying shampoo has a tendency to strip your hair of everything, including those natural oils that curls need in the summer. Clarifying shampoos will simply result in drier, frizzy locks.
Use a regular moisturizing or hydrating shampoo. In the summer, your hair needs all the moisture it can get. Shampoo with warm water to trigger the opening of the pores in order to rinse all of the chlorine out. Shampooing with cold water will close the cuticle and trap the chlorine in your hair shaft. However, after shampooing and conditioning, you can finish with a cool water rinse to prevent frizz and enhance shine.
Also, leave-in conditioner or styling cremes are useful even if you haven't shampooed your hair. They provide extra moisturize after you've spent a day in the summer sun. Above all, don't forget to wear a hat. From straw cowboy hats and sporty visors to your favorite team's baseball cap, hats with broad rims are stylish this season. They also protect your face from the sun.
Summer Styling
A humid day is a day to go curly, not a day to straighten your hair. Summer days are typically humid and hot - a nightmare for freshly styled hair. Try to keep it simple during these months. Rock your natural waves for fun beach-like hair. With endless UV rays pounding against your hair and skin, it’s beneficial to keep the use of blow outs, flat irons and curling irons to a minimum. Check out our Style Seeker blog for more information on managing your curls in the humidity.
Products
Just as you have updated your summer skincare routine, you should switch out your hair products for the season. We cannot stress how important it is to invest in good quality products. There are plenty of product lines available that are designed to protect your hair from the summer elements. Don’t forget to deep condition. Experts recommend doing a deep conditioning treatment twice a week in the summer. If you’re constantly exposed to the sun, or if you frequent the pool, supply your hair with that extra moisture it needs.
Tips
- Hair accessories, when used wisely can be powerful weapons against sun damage. Broad hats can be useful defense against aggressive UV rays. Make sure you avoid hair accessories that might make your delicate strands prone to breakage such as ponytail holders with metallic closers or barrets with rough edges.
- Avoid using peroxide to create highlights as these products can have a devastating effect on your tresses weakening the hair cuticle.
- Whenever possible let your hair air dry instead of using a blow drier to give your hair the chance to recover from heat damage.
GIVEAWAY! Leave a comment on this post telling us your favorite summer activity and you will be entered in the drawing for one of these fabulous KMS SolPerfection products!
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Go from sun-stressed to un-stressed in perfect style. Be sure to check out My Best Friend's Hair Style Seeker blog for more summer hair care tips. Or if you're looking for the perfect stylist to give you a deep conditioning treatment, be sure to visit My Best Friend's Hair!
For the Love of Hair,
Brittany
