[dropcap]W[/dropcap]ith summer right around the corner, it’s important to take a moment to prep ourselves for the hotter climates and fun-filled activities we’ll be soaking up this season. Now for most of us, putting on sunscreen and drinking more water are usually the go-to steps we tend to lean on during this time, but these are but a few of the precautions we should be doing this summer. Taking care of our hair during the hotter season is a must. In fact, hair follicles have a hard time dealing with strenuous elements like exposure to water, and therefore can become brittle and weak. The beach is where many of us will be spending our hot days at–enjoying some much needed sunbathing, waves and overall relaxing. But like any good thing, there comes some downsides. The beach is no exception. Long exposure to the sun, sand, and water can have damaging effects on your hair. Luckily, there are great hair care tips to tackle these potential issues so you spend more time enjoying the waves and less time worrying about hair this summer.
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It might seem like a good idea to tame that voluptuous mane into a messy bun, so that you can dive into the water carefree, but let us tell you right away – not a good idea. Water weakens hair follicles and can noticeably cause havoc on its texture. This causes tears and breakage, not only when trying to untie the bun, but also when it just simply sits there, on the top of your damped head. We suggest swimming with your hair loose, especially if you have thick hair. There are also fabric swimming caps if your wet hair feels too heavy but can lessen the damage on your hair follicles.
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On a similar note, you may be like most of us who tend to over towel dry our hair in the summer, which can further damage the hair and its texture. The best way to handle this is to completely avoid touching your hair when it is wet. Let’s put a bit of perspective here. You’re on a beach, it’s summer, if there is such a time when you should refrain from messing with your hair, it is now. Repeat with us: Beach hair, don’t care! The best policy is to just let it air dry naturally. But if you’re in a crunch, pat it dry, don’t tussle it.
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Be wary of the chemicals found in your hair products. Various pharmaceuticals have been known to damage hair, skin or anything else they come in contact with. So equip yourself with a good hair shampoo, and copious amounts of conditioner, specifically ones that don’t have sulfates and specializes in beach hair that has seen too much sun. Try for high quality, and if possible, use organic shampoos in this harsh environment.
Our recommendations:
- Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner
- Alterna Caviar, Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Shampoo
- Aveeno Oure Renewal Shampoo
- Burt’s Bees Mango Super Shiny Shampoo
- Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Sulfate-Free Shampoo
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You’ve probably noticed that the sun can change hair color. The sun’s rays tend to drain the color from your hair, which can led to pre-mature greying. So it’s important to protect it from sun damage by using sunscreen for the hair. And again, the more natural the better.
Natural sunscreens:
- Aloe Vera: Cut a plant leaf, and scoop some of the aloe vera jelly and apply it on your hair 15 to 20 minutes before taking a shower. Wash with cold water.
- Henna: A popular natural sunscreen, Henna coats the hair with a semi-permanent protein which helps to protect from UV damage. You can use henna paste or mix water with henna powder and let it soak over night. Cover your entire hair with the henna the following day, and leave it on for 40 to 45 minutes. When time is up simply wash it off.
- Vitamin E: Fill a spray bottle 2/3 of the way with filtered water. Drop in 2 to 3 vitamin E tablets. Shake until the tablets are dissolved and everything is mixed well.
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When it comes to sand, it feels good on the feet but not so much on the hair. In fact, sand can soak up whatever moisture is around, much like a sponge. Surprisingly, signs of greasy hair is its own way of protecting itself from whatever is set out to ruin it. So when you have sand on your hair what it does is soak everything up, rendering it dry and vulnerable. A good way to tackle dry beach hair, apart from keeping it secure with the help of various deep moisturizing products is to opt for the famous beach braid or a fishtail braid. This will protect it from the sand, as well as harmful sun exposure.
There you have it! Five hair care tips to keep the hair looking fabulous the entire summer. For more product recommendations, check out some the essential products here. They will save you from an unpleasant and expensive trip to the hair salon. Just remember to follow the key tips we shared and you should be free to enjoy a carefree summer.
