Summer is coming – there’s really no stopping it – and, while that’s great news for all of us beach lovers, summer adventures often take a toll on hair. Whether you’re lounging in the sun all day, dropping in on some killer waves or are hitting the pool, the sun, salt and chlorine can wreak havoc on your locks. Exposing your hair to harmful pool chemicals or UV rays is bound to happen this summer, so what can you do protect it? Rather than ending up with fading color and dry, split ends here’s a look at some of the best ways for how to protect your hair from sun, surf and chlorine.
How to Protect Your Hair from Sun, Surf, and Chlorine
Rinse before you go in the water. Sounds odd, right? If you saturate your hair in cool, clean water first, your hair is less likely to immediately absorb all that salt or chlorine. Think of the extra rinse as an extra layer of protection.
Rinse and repeat! After spending a day at the pool or the beach remember to thoroughly rinse your hair with cool, fresh water. You can even look for an after-pool chlorine rinse or shampoo to help get every ounce of those harsh chemicals out. Another great option (especially for blondes) – mix up a little baking soda and water for an alternative solution to rinsing out the pool chemicals.
Sunscreen for your hair! Believe it or not, your hair is just as sensitive as your skin and lathering up with shampoo and conditioner that includes protective qualities like beta carotene and green tea will help add a strong layer of protection.
Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. By giving your hair the extra moisture it craves, you can build up the strength in the shaft of the hair. This added strength will help your locks protect themselves from the penetration of chlorine and other harmful pool chemicals. In other words, load up on the conditioner and give your hair an extra special treat with occasional leave-in treatments.
Get a haircut. Ridding your hair of dry ends will help the healthy hair stand strong against the tough UV rays, salt water and harsh pool chemicals. When your hair is already dry, its defenses are down and the results will just mean more dry hair. Trim those ends and start summer with a healthy head of hair.
Have you had a chance to get your hair summer ready? Got any other tips or tricks for keeping your locks soft all summer long?
