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Summer Hair Tips
With days growing longer, and the weather getting warmer and warmer, we’re gearing up for summer. Bathing suit season means getting
into shape and jumpstarting our summer tans (which are – hopefully - fake). But before we can talk about what we need to do to get
our hair ready for summer fun, we should look at what are considered the biggest summer hair problems:
Sun Damage:
Dry/Scorched Hair
85% of women in the U.S. (with similar figures in other countries) have color-treated or
chemically-processed hair. Processed hair is already depleted of moisture and is susceptible to serious sun damage. The combined
effects of the heat and UV radiation from the sun can leave you with dry, brittle hair. This means that while you are sitting there
on the sand (or poolside), or playing in the water, your hair is being bombarded and the moisture is leeching out.
The heat of the sun can swell the cuticle of the hair and open it, causing the hair to release
moisture. So to combat this effect, you need to use a leave-in conditioner, which along with restoring moisture, will help to seal the
cuticle and protect the hair from sun damage.
Women and men should also consider the use of SPF sprays, particularly if you have fair skin
and/or lightly-colored hair. The SPF sprays can be used as a pre-treatment, before the use of leave-in conditioner. These SPF sprays
should be used in whatever strength can be found (15, 30, etc.) as skin cancers can occur on the scalp, and the SPF sprays not only
help protect the hair, but they guard against these cancerous effects as well.
Color Loss:
Another thing that the SPF sprays can assist with is the loss of color due to prolonged and
repeated exposure to the sun. The SPF sprays can help protect against the color leeching effects of the UV radiation.
You can also look at having a clear gloss application performed on your hair. These colorless
treatments deposit shine enhancers and sealants which help to protect the hair, add shine and seal in the color of the hair.
In addition to these options, you should use a color-enhancing shampoo and conditioner to help
you maintain the integrity of your color treated hair. These products contain color enhancing agents that help you to keep the
vibrancy and richness of your color for as long as possible, maximizing the life of your color service.
Of course there is a simple way to help protect your hair from the effects of the sun in summer. You just wear a hat. These can be
stylish, and fun, but may make you susceptible to the dreaded “hat head”.
Water Damage:
Seawater:
While being a great attraction for many in the Summer, ocean waves contain minerals and salts that
can be brutal on the hair. The solution of saltwater is easily absorbed by hair shafts that are already opened by sun exposure and/or
chemical treatments. And the seawater continues to force open the cuticle while depositing these minerals and salts that can REALLY
dry out the hair. You only have to dip your head into the ocean, and let the saltwater dry on your hair to feel the dramatic change
in texture caused by even a small amount of exposure.
Rinsing the hair with fresh water after being in the ocean is always a help, and you should do
your best rinse the seawater from your hair as soon as possible, then shampoo and condition once you get to a place where you can.
Pool Water:
When enjoying the other popular summer site – the swimming pool – you have to be aware that when a
swimming pool is not properly balanced, metals – such as copper – can be present and will leech into your hair. This is what causes
that “greening” effect many people experience, particularly those with blonde shades of hair. The problem is doubly likely with
those who have chemically treated hair.
Experts recommend using a pH balancing spray to lower the pH level of your hair to an “acidic”
level (usually around 3.5). Doing this creates a barrier to the substances in the water that cause the greening effect. Some experts
argue that this may not be as effective as thought since there is no guarantee that the spray won’t just wash right out.
A better solution is to make sure that you have access to a source of untreated water. If when
you get out of the pool, you immediately rinse your hair using a garden hose or poolside shower, you can minimize the problem by not
leaving the treated water on the hair where it has more time to cause a reaction with your color-treated hair.
You should also keep some Swimmer’s Shampoo and Conditioner on hand to help neutralize the
chlorine left behind in the hair after spending time in a pool. These products are easily found in beauty supply stores and are
worth their weight in gold if you plan to spend a lot of time in the pool. They are also good for use after swimming in the ocean.
Style Damage:
Chemical Applications:
Some people, in the desire to keep their hair frizz free in summer humidity, have their hair
chemically treated with Japanese straightening, defrizzing services, relaxers, and even hair color. Unfortunately, all of these
chemical processes can weaken the hair, resulting in hair that is more susceptible to damage from sun, wind and water. The key is
to be aware of this and to treat your hair appropriately.
Of course, some people strive each year for the “summer blonde” look and go to many lengths to get
it. Some use lemon juice, sun-lightening products and in some cases people have used 6% peroxide in order to create highlights. What
this type of thing does is blast open the cuticle of the hair, allowing the moisture inside to be dissipated, along with the
color-dispersal necessary to create the lightening effect. The end result is hair that looks and feels like straw.
Physical Damage:
Most women and men are unaware that pure water makes their hair weaker and susceptible to breakage
from physical stress. In fact when the hair is wet you can also more easily rip the hair out by its roots. Add to this that the hair
may be chemically treated and already subjected to sun and water-chemical damage and you could be seriously adding more injury to
already mistreated hair.
Wet hair that is otherwise healthy will stretch up to 200% of its normal length without breaking.
When the hair has been damaged it loses its ability to rebound from the stretching, and to keep from breaking due to the stresses
involved. Furthermore, prolonged exposure to the water (as noted by fingers turning pruny) can weaken the integrity of the skin,
and since that’s where the follicles are, pulling on the hair after it has been wet for an extended period of time can result in
pulling out clusters of hair.
Here are some simple tips to minimize the damage potential in dealing with wet hair:
• NEVER rub the hair to dry it. Gently pat or squeeze the hair between folds of a
towel and blot away the extra moisture.
• Use a detangling spray or leave-in conditioner on the hair before you try to
comb through towel-dried hair.
• ALWAYS use a wide-tooth comb to remove any snarls or tangles in damp hair.
NEVER use a brush on wet hair. Many
women think nothing of grabbing the “tined” brushes popular today and raking them through their
towel-dried hair after
emerging from the pool. Then they wonder why their brushes get so full of hair.
• If you must blow-dry your hair, use a diffuser attachment and re-apply any
leave-in conditioner. Also, use your fingers to
lift the hair and allow the air to circulate at the scalp level.
• If you have curly hair, avoid the dryer altogether and simply fluff up the
hair using your fingers. This is also good for wavy
hair types, too. As an alternative, you can simply braid the hair into a loose
braid and allow it to dry naturally, then finger-
comb out the waves.
• Avoid putting the hair into ponytails, pigtails, or tightly-wound buns or
knots when wet. It may make matters simple while
you wait for the hair to dry, but can add stress to the hair in unexpected points.
Specifically ponytails worn with wet hair
can lead to the recession of the hairline over a period of time.
Stacy
©CelebrityHairstylesNews.com
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