Summer is right around the corner and now is the time to start nourishing your locks so that your hair looks soft, shiny and sleek. We all love a swim in the sea and lying in the sun, but the salt and the UV rays can play havoc with your hair fibers, leaving your hair dry, frazzled and full of split ends. Follow the tips below to keep your locks healthy, bouncy and full of shine – whatever the weather.
Use a UV Spray
We’re all so used to protecting our face and skin with sun cream that we completely forget to take care of our hair – but the truth is, UV rays can damage your hair just as much as they can damage your skin. Mist your hair lightly with a UV protecting spray before you go out into the sun and massage some through the ends as a leave-in conditioner.
Try a Sulphate-Free Shampoo
Sulphates can dry out your hair and damage your scalp, and if your hair is already damaged from the sun, it’s important that you nourish your hair with sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner. Sulphate-free shampoos are much more gentle than regular shampoos and will cleanse your hair and scalp without drying them out. Finish with a gentle sulphate-free conditioner, too, for the best results.
Let Your Hair Dry Naturally
If it’s hot out, you don’t need to use artificial heat to dry your hair – it will just cause further damage. Embrace the warmer weather and let your hair dry naturally into a beachy style. If you have long hair, scrunch hair every few minutes to create beachy-looking waves. If you have shorter hair, tuck it behind your ears and comb flat for a face-flattering look. When hair is about 50% dry, put a drop or two of nourishing hair oil onto the palm of your hand, rub between your palms and smooth over the ends to mid-lengths of hair. The oil will keep your style sleek and should smooth down any frizz.
Trim It
Get hair trimmed before summer, or before your holidays, to get rid of any existing split ends and to encourage hair growth. Throughout the summer months, your hair might need to be trimmed every 4-6 weeks instead of every 6-8 weeks as you might get more split ends.
Protect Your Color
Strong sunlight and chlorine can strip the color from your hair. Protect it by using a color-protective shampoo and conditioner, or by using hair products that are specifically designed for use when swimming. Use a color-protecting hair mask at least once a week. Massage into the hair from roots to tips, wrap your hair in a towel and leave for at least 30 minutes before washing out. Washing your hair too frequently also makes it more likely that your color will fade, so try not to wash your hair everyday – every other day will be just fine.
Finally, it’s important that you drink lots of water. This will not only keep your skin hydrated, but it will ensure that your scalp and hair stay hydrated, promoting healthy hair growth and reducing the likelihood that you’ll get split ends. Not drinking enough water could leave your hair follicles stunted and may even slow down growth – so make sure that you get your 8 glasses a day.
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