I mean really, what’s not to love about summer?
The days are longer and hotter, the clothes are smaller and bolder, and the adventures are endless. Summer always seems to go by in a daze and is over with before you know it, but the physical effects that are left can be permanent.
We all know that sunscreen is a must during the summer months, and in fact year round, but keeping hair healthy during harsh weather always seems to take the backseat. With a little TLC, keeping locks shiny and fresh during the summer months is obtainable and easy.Sunshine, saltwater and chlorine are known culprits of hair damage during summer. We love’em and we hate ‘em, and unless you decide to spend your summer days cooped up inside, there’s really no avoiding the sun, and in many cases, chlorine and saltwater.
UV rays are a huge factor affecting hair health and growth. We tend to think that our hair alone is enough to protect the scalp from burns and blisters, and while it technically is a protective covering, we want to keep it shiny, bouncy, and in tip top shape. Overexposure to the sun is a fast track to brittle and dry hair, but why? Hair follicles are susceptible to the sun’s powerful rays and begin to shrink when over exposed to sunlight. This in turn affects our scalp’s epithelial cells, stunting hair growth. In addition, UV rays slow the scalp’s production of Vitamins C and E. Both of these combined lead to finer, more sensitive hair. The solution to this double edge sword? The hat. Summer’s sexiest accessory. Wear a floppy sunhat, or straw fedora when out and about during the heat of the day. It not only protects hair from direct exposure to the sun, but keeps your face shaded, and adds a little something to any summer outfit. If a hat is not your thing, opt for hair sunscreen. This one from Aveda is lightweight and water resistant so you can keep your hair looking and feeling great, while still providing it with the protection it needs to stay that way.
Saltwater can be a means to achieving the ever so popular beach wave, but it is also a drying agent that parches hair of its’ natural oils. According to HuffPost Style, salt is osmotic, meaning that it absorbs any water, including that of your treases. While H2O keeps your hair elastic and shiny, saltwater reverses these affects causing hair to become brittle and dry. The remedy is simple. Apply a leave in conditioner before dousing hair in a saltwater, and if possible, reapply throughout the day. After the beach, soak strands in a hair mask to renew moisture and prevent breakage. An easy DIY mask includes mixing equal parts honey and buttermilk, for shine and moisture, and leaving in your hair for 15-30 minutes.
Chlorine might just be the worst of all hair enemies. Not only is it extremely drying, but it can easily turn already-damaged hair turquoise or green (I’m speaking from experience here). Chlorine wreaks havoc on hair through its’ chemical reactions, which actually change the physical properties of hair. Blonde locks can turn green through the oxidization of metals in the water binding to the hair and depositing their color. To prevent chlorine from killing your strands, wet hair before swimming, since dry hair is more susceptible to the oxidized metals. For an added bonus, add leave in conditioner to wet hair to combat dryness. Hydrated hair is happy hair, and happy hair is better able to block hair’s evilest villains.
(Feature Photo via We Heart It)