Summer is coming up and while that means more fun for you, your hair may think otherwise. With dry ends, damaged colored hair, and even scalp sunburns, your hair can really take a beating come fall. Whether you are relaxing by the pool, taking a trip to the beach, or driving with your windows or top down, take a moment to reevaluate your summer hair care routine. Afterall, you don’t want your fresh new color fading into nothingness after a dip in the pool. Nor do you want to walk away from a day at the beach with split ends. Well, fear not. There are plenty of tricks you can do to protect your hair and still enjoy the warm weather. Here are just a few.
Get A Haircut
It may be tempting to put off a haircut until fall, but it is always best to get a trim before summer. The sun will do extra damage to dry hair. While hair grows faster in the summer, when you don’t cut off split ends, they move further up the hair shaft. This leaves your hair looking worse. If the length is important to you, ask for a quarter-inch trim every 6-8 weeks. If you want a bigger change, bring a picture to your consultation to avoid leaving the salon unhappy.
Start In The Shower
Good hair care always starts in the shower. If you were in the sun and forgot to protect your hair, give it the nourishment it needs with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner. Look for products that read “intense hydration”. Also look for ones that do not contain sulfates, parabens, or sodium chlorine, which will weigh down your hair.
UV Protection
You put on sunscreen to prevent burns, why not protect your hair as well. No, you don’t need to slather sunscreen on your hair. There are plenty of products out there specifically designed to protect your hair from UV rays. These products can help prevent highlighted hair from lightening too quickly and looking fried, and they can keep dark hair from turning brassy or red. You can find these products as a hairspray or a leave-in conditioner. Just be sure to apply them to wet hair or they will sit on the surface and not sink into the hair. If you can’t find the perfect product with UV protection, try a leave-in detangler or conditioner to keep your locks hydrated and protected.
Keep Chlorine At Bay
Summer means a lot of swimming in pools and we all know what that means. Chlorine is known for drying out your ends and sometimes turning your hair green. Protect your hair before jumping in. Dampen your locks before going into the pool or ocean. This adds an extra layer of coating so when you are swimming, your hair isn’t as likely to absorb 100% of the chlorinated water. You won’t have a huge concentration of chlorine or salt water to blast your hair and dry it out. It will be diluted because your hair is already wet. For further protection, apply a dime-sized amount of conditioner throughout your mid-lengths and ends of your hair. Then tie your hair up in a bun and jump in!
Wear A Hat
Hats are one of the best ways to protect your hair and scalp from the sun. If you’re worried about a baseball hat killing your look, shop around. You can look for a cool, printed Turbin for an effortless and chic look, or you can opt for a scarf, wide-brimmed hat, or a cowboy hat. However, just because you are wearing a hat, doesn’t mean you still shouldn’t protect your hair. The sun can still shine through certain hat designs. It is smart to wear a protective product for further protection.