With the coming of summer comes long hours in the sun and heat. Protect your mane from the summer sun without sacrificing all the summer fun by taking the right precautions.
Summertime causes several effects on your hair. The balmier weather will dry out your locks while UVA and UVB rays bake your hair, just like your skin, which alters the color and feel of it. These changes cause damage and allow your hair to deteriorate more easily. Much like the effect of heating implements on your hair, the constant high temperatures of the summer months can cause breakages and split ends. The outside coating of your hair, called keratin, is also affected by the sun. The often causes discoloration, frizziness, brittleness and even hair thinning.
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Since it’s more likely for your hair to be damaged while soaking up the sun, consider wearing a hat. While they can also protect your décolletage from overexposure to harmful rays, protecting your head (and the hair on it) is just as important. It’s also good to know that there are shampoos and conditioners that help protect against UVA and UVB rays. You can even dilute sunscreen to apply to your hair; just remember to use a clarifying shampoo afterward to get rid of buildup. Kerastase has great sun-care products under its Soleil line, including Huile Celeste Protective Spray which contains UVA and UVB filters.
You can also keep your hair strong throughout the summer months by using proper conditioning techniques. Ideally you should be conditioning your hair with every wash, summertime means your locks will need some extra love to stay moisturized. Use Moroccan oil to help lock in hydration. After spending time at the beach or pool, use a conditioning masque to help restore moisture. Try Aveda’s Sun Care After-Sun Hair Masque to neutralize free radicals with green tea extract and Vitamin E, while also boosting hair strand density with a patented protein and blend of plant oils.
You may also want to change up your beauty regimen during the summer months. Dye, style and shampoo less often! Crazy, you say? Bleach and hair dyes, along with curling and straightening tools are essentially the quid-pro-quo, but they aren’t putting your hair in the best starting position during summer. Additionally, shampooing your hair too often strips it of natural oils which cause it to become dryt—skip the shampoo as often as possible, especially if you’re about to go swimming in a chlorinated pool!
Make the most of the gorgeous weather without damning your beautiful tresses by using these simple tips.
