Just as the sun damages your skin, it can damage your hair, too. Saltwater and chlorine also take a toll on our tresses. The not-so-pretty result: A few weeks into summer, hair that was bright and easily maintained looks and feels fried.
Fried hair isn’t just a figure of speech. The UV rays of the sun really “cook the hair shaft.” The damage is most evident when we see colour-treated hair becoming faded, bleached, and brassy.
Even hair that isn’t coloured will suffer from sun-induced pressure. Those UV rays dry out hair and rough up the normally soft cuticle, or outer layer, of the hair shaft.
Frizz Factor
The dryer hair is, the more likely it is to suffer from a season malady that’s even more irksome than mosquito bites: frizz.
That’s because dried hair soaks up the extra moisture in the air, causing the shaft to swell and leading to breaks in the cuticle. Hair puffs up and goes every which way but soft.
Swimming Damage
Swimming beats up your hair, too. Dive into a pool and while you’re doing the breaststroke, chlorine is stripping your hair of its natural protective oils. If you’re a blonde, you may find your locks taking on an unflattering greenish cast. That’s caused by the copper particles and other pool chemicals that bind to the protein in the hair shaft.
A dip in the ocean stresses hair in another way. The heavy salt content in seawater draws water out of your hair and skin, Krant says. We end up with pruney fingers and parched hair.
Tips for Healthy and Gorgeous Summer Hair
Summer doesn’t have to be the season of bad hair days. Your hair can look great on the most humid days. Here are some hot-weather tress-taming tips from Krant and Julia Papworth, a celeb hairstylist who has worked with stars including Cameron Diaz, Elijah Wood, and Sarah Silverman.
- Start summer with a trim. You’ll get rid of split ends and renew your style. You might need a mid-season cut, too. Hair does grow faster in the summer. That’s because there are more hairs in the anagen, or growing, the stage during late spring and summer than in the dead of winter, Krant says.
- Shield your strands from the sun. Make a daily habit of applying a hair care product that contains UV filters. These products protect hair from sun damage and help keep colour-processed hair from fading. If you’ll be spending lots of time outdoors, wear a wide-brimmed hat. Not only will it keep your strands from getting scorched, but it will also protect your scalp and ears, areas that are vulnerable to skin cancer.
- Saturate strands before taking a dip. If your hair is drenched with clean water or leave-in conditioner, it won’t absorb as much saltwater or pool chemicals, Papworth says. It’s also a good idea to try to rinse your hair after a swim. If there isn’t a bath nearby, keep a spray bottle filled with clean water.
- Switch to a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. You may be washing your hair more frequently to deal with summer’s sweat and grime. Papworth also suggests using a clarifying, or anti-residue, shampoo once a week to clear away product buildup and chemicals. Just be sure to follow with a deep-conditioning treatment.
- Skip the hot tools. At least once or twice a week, give your hair a break from blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons. Papworth recommends washing your hair at night and piling it up in a bun, a braid, or ponytail before you head to bed. “When you wake up, you’ll have a nice beachy wave,” she says. It’s the perfect look for weekends, or make it work-ready with accessories like a thin headband or pretty barrettes.
- Outwit frizz. Hair that’s healthy and well-maintained is your best defence against frizz. Along with regular trims and conditioning, a drop or two of an anti-frizz oil or serum can help smooth hair and add shine. Use only “a teeny tiny drop” of oil, Papworth advises, or you can end up weighing down your hair, especially if it’s fine or limp.
But let’s face it: When the air is so thick with humidity it feels like molasses, frizz is going to happen. Don’t waste your summer trying to fight frizz. Instead, find an easy go-to hairdo like a slick pony, high bun, or side braid for those high-humidity days. Studio99 helps you maintain your smooth hair in summers also visit us at Mayu vihar phase 1
