Summer time is the worst time for hair. Most people spend lots of time at the ocean or in the mountains without thinking of the damage being done from the sun, chlorine, and ocean. Just like skin must be protected with sunscreen and coverups, the hair and scalp must as well.
Hair is made up of two parts, an inner layer called the cortex and an outside harder layer called the cuticle. The cuticle is made up of hard protein that protects from things like UVA and UVB rays, chlorine, and pollutants. While the cuticle is made to protect, the sun's rays, chlorine, and salt are very harsh and can easily penetrate strands to cause damage. And coarse hair has less cuticle than fine hair, so it needs extra protection.
How the Sun Damages
If no protection is used on the hair, it can lose it's elasticity (which is the ability to pull on a strand and have it spring back), it will become damaged and dry, and the color will fade tremendously. It will resemble hair that has been bleached through the ends several times. The best way to protect hair is by wearing hats, clarifying after being in chlorine or saltwater, and using UV sprays with SPF. Up until recently, the effects of the sun on hair weren't known and many women had to resort to home remedies for protection. Now, there are several haircare lines with plenty of options.
The Best Products
Fekkai has Clean Detox Shampoo as a part of their new Marine Summer Hair line. This shampoo should be used directly after time in the pool or ocean to deep cleanse. The line suggests using the Beachcomber Leave-In before going in the sun. It has a UV shield to act as a sunblock and retains moisture in the hair.
Redken is a more budget friendly alternative with an After Sun line. The After Sun Shampoo is a clarifying shampoo to deep clean the hair after sun exposure. The second part of the system is the After Sun Mask, a deep conditioner that's left on for 15 minutes in the shower, to seal the cuticle shut after deep cleaning it. The Sparkling Shield Leave-In should be sprayed in right before going into the sun. It is water, chlorine, and mineral resistant. The last part of the Redken system is the Sun Solar Screen, which should be sprayed onto scalp and hair for SPF.
It's important to take care of hair especially in the summer. It is much harder to replenish, retain elasticity, and keep beautiful color after three months of damage. Remember that doing something is better than nothing, and with so many options available to protect, there is every opportunity for healthy, shiny hair.
Kate McLaughlin - Kate McLaughlin started her writing career in high school as a staff writer for Timberlines Newspaper. She also developed a love for ...
