Summer is usually considered the best time of the year, as this is when people are enjoying their holidays. Many of us jet off to a sunnier, hotter climate where we can get a healthy bronzed tan whilst relaxing around the pool.
On the other hand, summer is also considered to be a threatening call for our beauty, as the sun’s rays can damage our skin and hair badly. During summer, the oil glands on our scalp gets stimulated, and makes our hair oily or frizzy which in turn makes our hair look dull and lifeless.
If you plan to spend time in the sun this summer, it is important to protect your hair as well as your skin.
In this article we focus on how to protect your hair this summer…
The 4 steps for looking after your hair this summer
1. Protect your colour
Whether your hair is dyed or au naturel, the sunlight bleaches your hair.
Unfortunately results can be unpredictable and unattractive. Though it’s likely the natural hair might take on subtle highlights from the sun, processed hair can turn brassy whilst loosing luster.
How to protect your hair colour from the sun
Create a sunblock for your hair. Unfortunately there is no effective chemical product or dye, which is designed to counteract the impact of ultraviolet rays on your hair (though added SPF can help). A wide-brimmed hat is your best weapon for summer hair care.
Try one made from a tightly woven UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) fabric.
Tip: A product, which has been specifically formulated to shield, your hair from the sun will offer some protection or even your everyday leave-in hair conditioner.
2. Fight frizz
Moisture in the air can make your hair prone to frizziness. Even if your locks aren’t normally vulnerable, any damage, whether from the sun or from colouring, straightening, or heat appliances can roughen cuticles, enabling water molecules in humid air to penetrate the hair shaft, causing it to swell.
How to fight frizz
Try a silicone-based smoothing serum. These styling products can temporarily ‘glue’ hair cuticles, which will smooth and flatten out roughness whilst preventing the absorption of water molecules from the air.
Tip: Apply a silicon serum
3. Solve greasy hair
Just like oily skin, an oily scalp gets worse in the summer months. Heat prompts sebaceous glands to churn out more oil, and perspiration compounds the problem because it makes hair appear dirtier and greasier.
How to solve greasy hair
Frequent shampooing (once or twice daily) is the most effective technique for removing buildup. You can have greasy roots but fried ends, so even if you are afraid that conditioner will make your hair greasier, apply it to your ends to prevent sun-related dryness and damage. You can get rid of grease with a dry shampoo made from oil-absorbing powders.
Tip: Use essential oils. Or make your own by dusting your hairbrush with cornstarch, shaking off the excess, and brushing it through your hair and scalp.
4. Rescue your swimmer’s hair
It is no myth that chlorine builds up on your hair and can leave a discolouring green film. And this isn’t a blonde-only problem, although the build up is more obvious on light-coloured locks.
How to rescue swimmer’s hair
Be sure to prep hair pre-swim. Like a sponge, dry hair absorbs the first liquid to which it’s exposed. Wet hair with tap water before you take the plunge and it won’t absorb much chlorinated water. For extra summer hair care protection, coat wet or dry hair with a leave-in conditioner and then re-apply to protect your hair as it dries in the sun.
Tip: Try a clarifying shampoo, which has residue-removing properties, or rinse your hair with a ¼ of a cup of cider vinegar mixed into a pint of water, which also removes dulling and discolouring films.
