Isn’t it ironic that the great things about summer can also be bad for you? After days of swimming in the pool, jumping in the ocean, or running around all summer, our hair can suffer. The result is sad, dry hair. While summertime is about relaxing and having fun, summer hair care is just as important too. Below is a list of summer stresses for our hair and tips on how to keep your locks healthy.
Sun
Did you know that the ultraviolet rays of the sun actually “cook the hair shaft?” The UV rays dry out hair and roughs up the cuticle, or outer layer, of the hair shaft which is normally smooth. Color-treated hair can become faded, bleached, and brassy. However, all hair will suffer stress.
Humidity
Growing up in Michigan we had some summers where the humidity felt so thick that you could cut through it. Humidity was not a friend to my hair. That’s because dry hair soaks up the extra humidity in the air. Then the hair shaft swells, leading to breaks in the cuticle. Hair puffs up and flies in all directions!
Chlorine
While you’re perfecting your cannonball this summer, chlorine is stripping your hair of its natural protective oils. And here is a fun fact for our blondes, that greenish cast your hair takes on is due to the copper molecules and other pool chemicals that bind to the protein in the hair shaft.
Salt Water
I absolutely love the ocean! It’s one of my favorite places to be. Unfortunately the whole atmosphere is not exactly favorable for my hair. Besides the sun and wind, the heavy salt content in seawater draws water out of your hair and skin. It may temporarily give me a cute wavy hairstyle, but my hair is dried and matted together too. I literally cannot brush through my hair after a day at the beach lol.
But you don’t have to miss out on all the summer fun just to avoid ruining your hair.
A bit of extra care to your tresses will keep them happy and healthy. Here are some of my favorite tips to for being stylish and keeping summer hair nourished.
- Trim up – Right before summer and maybe even midway, trim split ends. Not only will it get rid of the damaged hair, but it will freshen up your look.
- Block those rays – When exposed to the outdoor elements, wearing a hat or scarf can protect your hair from UV rays. It will also protect your ears and scalp, and will help to retain moisture. Using products that contain UV filters can also help to protect hair and keep color-treated hair from fading. You can even try running a little sunscreen through your hair after applying it to your skin.
- Presoak – Before taking a dip, wet your hair first. Hair saturated with clean water won’t absorb as much chlorine or salt water. Make sure to rinse hair after swimming with fresh water too.
- Take a break from the heating tools – At least once a week, skip the tools. Your hair is already taking so much heat during the summer. Blow drying, curling, and flat ironing already dry hair will just damage it more.
- Combat frizz – Used sparingly, products with anti-frizz serum or argan oil are helpful to smooth down out of control hair. Be careful not to use too much or it will end up weighing down your hair and looking flat.
- Keep your style relaxed – There are some cute trends in casual braids and messy twists that work so well with summer. You can get that “Summer hair, Don’t care” look but still look pulled together.
