July 14th, 2009
Your Summer Hair Care Guide
You sit poolside, water glistening like a finely polished gem; sun reflecting off your oiled skin, and the sweet summer air lulls you into a mid summers dream. Months of snow, frigid temperatures, and days confined to cable knit sweaters are ushered to the back of your mind. Life is blissfully perfect at this point, and your earthly cares are worlds away.
When summer draws to a close we find ourselves clinging to its waning properties. The days grow shorter, the nights get colder and we are left with the aftermath. For many of us who treat summer as the pinnacle of our year, we neglect our basic responsibilities to our bodies. We are left with subtle reminders, such as well tanned and often dried out skin, and faded lightened hair which has endured months of abuse.
Abuse which if prevented would allow for a smooth transition into the free flowing styles of the fall 2009. Lucky for us it’s only nearing the end of June, we have two months of prime weather to enjoy, and plenty of time to rescue our hair before damage occurs.
There are many foes to your hair, and first you must understand how it affects your body before we can prevent the damage.
Sunlight
A commodity that is plentiful in the summer but, is the harshest adversary to your delicate hair strands. It is as dangerous as any hot styling tool you use, and the same UVA & UVB rays that are damaging to your skin are constantly bombarding your hair. The suns rays penetrate the hairs cortex resulting in weakened strength, elasticity and making the hair dry and brittle. The sun can also oxidize pigment in your hair which can turn the color red or brassy. Damage by the sun ultimately results in increased porosity which leaves the hair strand vulnerable to other negative influences. Basic symptoms of sun damaged hair are
- Weak easily broken stands
- Spilt ends
- Rapid color fading
- Excessive dryness
Sand
This is one element many don’t consider a threat to the health of their hair. Although sand in your hair has the same effect as exfoliatents on the skin. It can result in
- Breakage at any part of the shafts, mostly near scalp were sand tends to sit
- Weakness in the strand
- Faded color
- Hair is hard to style due to weakened state
Water
This refreshing summer necessity, weather salted or chlorinated can have severe effects on your hair.
- Chlorinated water has the most devastating effect on hair. The oxidizing agents in chlorine can cause it to strip your hair of moisture leaving it dry, brittle and prone to breakage and split ends. It’s also devastating to hair color, high levels of copper and unbalanced PH in swimming pools can bond to your hair shaft and oxidize resulting in green tints
- Ocean water combined with the effects of summer sun can be extremely drying to the hair. Sea salt will cause hair to become dull, frizzy and lifeless
With all of the blatant negative effects of summer on your hair your probably left wondering how you can avoid all of the costly damage described. Well as with anything being proactive is the answer. Follow our easy summer tips and enjoy not fear the sun
1. Wear a hat or scarf in the sun, this not only protects your hair, but also your face
2. limit the use of “hot” tools on your hair such as blow dryer and curling irons, if using them is necessary apply a leave in conditioner prior to use
3. Try shampooing your hair less often, allowing your natural oils to moisturize hair
4. Use hair products with sun screen in them
5. Prior to swimming dose hair with bottled water, this prevents the absorption of sea or chlorinated water. Repeat this procedure every hour during swimming
6. Be religious about trimming your hair, even increasing trims during summer to get rid of dry ends
7. Wear your hair in a bun/knot or braids to minimize sun exposure
8. Avoid hair care products that contain alcohol or formaldehyde since they can be excessively drying to the hair
9. Shampoo your hair immediately after swimming to cleanse the hair of any chemicals
10. Use a deep conditioning treatment weekly
Check out these products to help in your summer defense
Aveda
- Sun care hair and body cleanse -A color-safe formula that gently and effectively removes chlorine, salt and product build-up, while helping to maintain moisture balance.
- Sun care after sun hair masque - An intensive cream masque that restores sun-exposed hair, moisturizes, and helps defend against free radicals.
- Sun care protective hair veil - A lightweight, water-resistant UV defense mist that forms an invisible screen to help protect hair from sun exposure for up to 16 hours, to minimize color fadage, damage and dryness.
Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability. ~Sam Keen
