We all know that UV rays are bad for the skin — but did you know it’s important to protect your hair and scalp, as well? On top of the damage UV rays can do to your hair, pool water and even the ocean air can also lead to dry, limp and dehydrated strands. Find out how to protect and repair summer hair.
Problem #1: Parched, brittle strands
Perhaps the biggest complaint during the summer is that hair becomes dry and prone to breakage. The combination of chlorine, salty ocean air and sun can suck every last drop of moisture out of your hair.
Celebrity hair care expert Peter Lamas tells MedicineNet that both hair and skin are made of proteins that rely on moisture, but hair doesn’t have its own moisture supply like the skin does. So it’s crucial that we treat our hair with the same types of deeply moisturizing treatments that we would use for the skin. Barry Reitman of the Kevin Josephson Salon in Beverly Hills, California, tells Total Beauty: "Hair can't repair itself; we have to put back in what was taken out."
Problem #2: Sun damage
Most of us know about the importance of using SPF, but what about HPF — Hair Protection Factor? UV rays are as damaging to the scalp as they are to the skin — or perhaps more. "Only six percent of melanoma patients present with the disease on the scalp or neck, but those patients account for 10 percent of melanoma deaths," Nancy Thomas, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of dermatology in the UNC School of Medicine, tells ScienceDaily. In addition, UV rays can leave the hair completely dehydrated and dull. Protect your hair and scalp now with a simple spray-on product or leave-in conditioner — and leave your locks more lustrous in the process.
Problem #3: Fading hair color
Whether your hair is naturally a rich dark brown or you visit the salon on a regular basis, the summer sun can leave your hair color dull and faded. The sun naturally strips moisture from the hair, which is even more of a problem if your hair is dyed.
According to MedicineNet, the natural oils in our hair are contained in the pigment, and color-treated hair is even more prone to dryness and damage because the pigment has already been stripped.
Getting your hair back in shape requires two steps: thoroughly cleansing the hair of saltwater and chlorine buildup, and hydrating dull strands. If your hair is color-treated, you might want to ask your hairstylist for the best way to recover your desired color.
Problem #4: Frizz
Whether your hair is straight or curly, you might find that it’s hard to style in the summer because of all that humidity. If daily frizz is the problem, don’t fight your hair — proceed gently.
Problem #5: Dull, limp strands with no volume
Wondering why your usually bouncy curls are limp and flat? You’re not alone. "From a technical standpoint, there's a protective coating on hair called the hydrolipidic film; if you have dry hair, that film is broken down somewhat anyway," says Melissa Baker, national training advisor for Rene Furterer hair care products in Paris, on MedicineNet. "But when you add sun, salt water, and chlorine, you can destroy the film altogether." The result: lifeless curls that won’t spring, or flat strands with zero volume.
You don’t have to deal with fragile, unmanageable hair all summer. By diligently protecting your tresses from UV rays and repairing damaged strands, you can enjoy healthier hair this season.
See also:
6 Hair-Saving Tips for Damaged Locks
Top Five Styling Tips for Curly Hair
Easy Tips for Beach-Inspired Beauty — Without the Sand or Surf
Essential Guide to Younger-Looking Hair