Sun, sea, chlorine... How to take care of your hair in summer?

Our hair is more often exposed during the summer season than the rest of the year. Just like our skin, it needs to be pampered and should be well protected. In this article, we reveal the harmful effects of the sun, salt water, and much more on your hair. Of course, we will also give you some tips on how to take care of it. This way, your hair will remain strong and shiny all summer long, and logically, all year round!

 

Summer is great ! But not really for our hair…

 

• The sun severely damages our hair:
  

If we expose our beautiful hair in a reasonable and occasional way, the sun is not harmful. On the contrary, it gives it natural highlights and promotes the synthesis of vitamin D, which in turn helps calcium bind to the hair.In addition, the sun stimulates blood circulation at the hair roots, which helps to irrigate the scalp. 

The sun, at first glance, may seem very beneficial for our hair. But… be careful, it can quickly become an enemy for them ! It dries out the scalp, and alters its pH, which can lead to the appearance of dandruff. It also burns the keratin naturally present in our hair. The sun's rays are also disruptive and slow down the elimination of fatty acids present in sebum… These then stagnate under the epidermis, turn into toxins, and damage the roots. The hair is then heavily stressed, becomes thinner, more fragile, and falls out much more easily. Our hair can also be bleached due to excessive and too frequent sun exposure.

 

• The wind doesn't help matters... 

The wind is great when it's very hot, when it cools us down and we feel like a star with our hair blowing in the wind... No, seriously, wind is not the worst natural element for our hair, but it's not its best ally either. In fact, it also dries out the hair. Frizz multiplies, hair gets tangled and then breaks. 

 

• Chlorine, the worst enemy of our hair:
  

Chlorine, present in the vast majority of swimming pools, is very bad for our hair. It tends to make it dull and dry. For blonde and colored hair, it can be a disaster... Chlorine can alter the color and make it turn greenish.Moreover, the effect that chlorine has on our hair reduces the hair's natural protective oil, which leads to significant dehydration. This loss of oil inevitably damages our hair by drying out the hair fiber. The natural sebum initially present to protect the scalp disappears and is replaced by chlorine, which makes our hair brittle.

 

• Sea water is not their best friend either:
  

Once again... What a pleasure it is to go for a swim on a nice day at the beach to cool off and, for the luckiest, to discover marine environments and their beautiful fish. However, you need to be careful, as the iodized sea water can severely dry out your hair and make it split. It can also affect the pH of your scalp, making it much more sensitive and irritable.Your ends will tend to fray and will gradually become very split. Salt water will weaken and dry out your hair. Salt and sand can cause abrasion to the hair and lift the cuticles, which is very harmful for it.

The sun, wind, chlorine, salt water, sand, heat... Too many elements damage our hair, especially in summer. They become difficult to style and lose their soft and shiny appearance... A shame, isn't it ?

 

Simple and effective tips to fight against hair damage in summer.

 

We are sharing some tips to limit this damage, or even prevent it altogether. Take care of your hair in summer by following these daily tips.They can save your hair !   If you adopt the right habits, you will know how to prevent and protect your hair from natural elements that can destroy it. 

 

• Do not use heated styling tools. 

Straightener, hair dryer, curling iron… These styling tools are destructive for our hair. In addition to the summer heat, if you continue to use these tools… It’s guaranteed damage. Your hair will be dry, burnt and irreparable.

 

• Bye-bye hairspray. 

Indeed, very useful when you want to set a styled hairdo for example, but it is very damaging for your hair. It acts as a “ barrier ” against humidity and wind but dries out and stiffens the hair terribly.You got it… Lacquer + sun = bad combo !

 

• Vegetable oils are great for pampering your hair. 

Contrary to what some information may suggest, putting oil on your hair will not fry it, as long as you use vegetable oils. Indeed, some processed oils mixed with other chemical ingredients can burn your hair when heated by the sun. Udder balm is typically a product with disastrous components (petroleum is the main one) and can easily destroy your hair fiber.

Nevertheless, some vegetable oils contain a natural filter that forms an anti-UV layer on the hair.The smoke point of these is important to take into account, even though in most cases, it is high and therefore poses no risk. It represents the temperature at which oils or fats emit smoke continuously.

Coconut oil has a smoke point of 177°C, 230°C for castor oil and sweet almond oil, 160°C for sunflower oil, 271°C for avocado oil, and 160°C for wheat germ oil.

The best oil to care for your hair this summer is raspberry seed oil. It deeply nourishes your hair, its smoke point is 215°C, and it has a sun protection factor between 28 and 50. All pure vegetable oils provide good nutrition for your hair, only with varying intensity.

Wheat germ oil, avocado oil, and even coconut oil have a sun protection factor of 15 and are also great for your hair. The oils can be mixed together. They coat our hair with a protective film and shield it from the sun's UV rays.

 

• Avoid contact between your hair and seawater or pool water. 

One of our tips, which can sometimes be difficult to follow if you enjoy swimming or refreshing your face or body during the summer, is to limit contact with this type of water as much as possible. Indeed, seawater or pool water tends to damage your hair.

To do this, tie your hair back to prevent water and sand from sticking to and breaking your hair. Braids are relatively easy to do and help prevent tangles.It is one of the best alternatives !  

Another alternative, just as simple, can be to wet your hair before swimming. In fact, the scalp acts like a sponge, meaning it soaks your hair with fresh water. This way, your hair will be saturated with fresh water, which reduces the space available to absorb chlorinated or salty water. You can wet it in the shower or with a bottle (reusable, of course 😉). This will make your hair less sensitive. 

 

• Oil baths will be beneficial for your hair.

Before or after sun exposure, remember to do regular oil baths. The vegetable oils mentioned in tip no. 3 are also suitable for use at home.To promote the penetration of the oil into your hair, you can cover your head with a warm towel. There are microfiber towels in particular that are soft and gentle on your hair. This will open up your cuticles and allow them to absorb the oil, strengthening your hair fiber. Before shampooing, you can apply the oil to your entire hair, focusing on the lengths and ends. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes and you’re done! Your hair will be nourished, silky, and ready to face the summer !

 

• A pretty cap or a beautiful hat ?  

Try not to expose your head when you are in the sun. First of all, the risk of sunstroke can be more or less high.But your hair is also put to the test. The cap and the hat are the most common accessories you can see on a beach. You can also opt for pretty hairstyles, while using different accessories such as a turban, a scarf, a headband, …  Many quick tutorials are available on Pinterest or YouTube.

Here are some links that may be useful to you: 

• 6 hairstyle ideas by " Kim Tout Court " 🡪 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxcdsby2iVI
• Summer hairstyle ideas with a scarf 🡪 (303) Pinterest

By keeping your hair protected from natural outdoor elements, you can feel reassured and don't have to worry about the wind, the sun...

 

• Rinse your hair after swimming.

One thing not to forget is to rinse your hair with clean water once you have finished swimming.This will help limit the harmful effects of external natural elements that can get into your hair. You need to quickly remove: salt, pollution, sand, chlorine… If you don't have a shower nearby, consider bringing a reusable bottle to rinse your hair after your relaxing moment basking in the sun.

When you wash your hair, it is important to use a gentle shampoo that does not irritate your scalp; and always apply a treatment or mask to maintain your hair's hydration. 

 

• In summer, you need to drink a lot, and so does your hair !  

Hydration of your hair is essential.It is important to drink at least 1.5L of water per day. This way, your hair will be hydrated from the inside.

We also recommend applying a hair mask once a week to nourish your hair from the outside this time. The mask can be made with coconut oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, avocado oil, or even castor oil. Leave the mask on for at least 15 to 20 minutes. However, you can leave it on for several hours or even overnight.

Finally, try to reduce the number of shampoos per week to 1 or 2 times. Indeed, even though they remove impurities, they tend to dry out your hair and reduce the natural sebum your scalp needs.

 

• The swim cap, it's not very glamorous but it's super effective

Wearing a swim cap in summer is certainly not the most elegant accessory... But after all, why not ? There are different patterns and beautiful fabrics available. It is clear that with this on your head, your hair will be 100% protected. You will no longer have to worry during your swims and you won't risk losing your hair! 

It's up to you, but it's an excellent alternative that allows you to preserve all of your hair in summer.

 

• Detangling operation

Some brushes tend to weaken your hair. Instead, opt for a silk bristle brush or a wide-tooth comb. The direction in which you brush is essential to maintain their beauty. Contrary to what one might think, you should start by combing the ends and then gradually work your way up to the roots. In addition, never brush your hair when it is saturated with salt or chlorinated water. 

We hope these valuable tips will help you. These small gestures are easy to implement this summer and promise to keep your hair beautiful all season long ! !

To go further: how to repair dry hair ?