‘Basking in the sun’, as romantic as it sounds might not be a real option in the summer months.The hot summer sun is not only harmful to our skin but it also has harmful effects on our hair as well. The heat from the sun causes weathering and oxidative damage to hair and make it dry, brittle, and stiff.
The UV rays can penetrate the hair cuticles, causing damage like dryness, brittleness, and weathering. High humidity during the summer monthsmay settle on your hair and weigh it down, resulting in limp hair.We also tend to sweat more during the summers, this coupled with the exposure to dust, lead toincrease in hair problems like dandruff, split ends, frizziness, and increased hair fall. Another condition caused by the harmful UV rays of the sun is the effect on the melanin in your hair which causes the colour of your hair to fade.
It is therefore, important to protect your hair from overexposure to the sun while stepping out. Here are a couple of tips which might help:
* Shampoo with care
While you may feel like shampooing your hair every day, be mindful that too much shampoo can dry up your scalp and hair. If you tend to sweat more on the scalp, and if your hair gets greasy and sweaty easily, go for a mild shampoo that is especially good for summers. Dilute the shampoo before use and apply the shampoo only to your scalp and not your strands. You can also opt to co-washing, which means use your conditioner to clean your scalp.Wet your hair, use a replenishing conditioner for 2 minutes, and rinse off. This will not only limit your use of shampoo, it will also nourish your hair every time you co-wash.
* Condition your hairWhile the sun is drying out your hair, make sure you help restore some moisture and life to it by using a rinse-out conditioner. You can also opt to go for a leave-in conditioner if you are supposed to spend a lot of time outdoors.
* Avoid using too many cosmeticsMake sure you go easy on any chemical hair treatments during summers. Chemically treated hair can be affected far more than the naturally cared for hair. If you want to colour your hair or change the colour during summer, try and do it a month or two before the sun hits hard. You can also try organic ingredients to colour your locks.
* Avoid heat treatmentsIf you are a big fan of blow drying or using flat irons and curlers, try to go easy with these treatments during summers. You hair’s exposure to sun causes the hair to become dry and brittle, further using the heat treatments may cause some serious damage to your hair strands leading to split ends.
* Take care of your coloured hairHair care is all the more important if you have recently coloured your hair. Hair sustains maximum damage with chemical treatments, leading to colour fading and excessive hair dryness. Choose the hair care products specially made for coloured or treated hair. If you cannot avoid going out in the sun, you should remember to cover your hair with a scarf.
* Trim your hairThe tips of your hair take a lot of beating during the summer. This is when you see split ends and dry tips. Summer is the ideal time to give yourself a new haircut, but if you don’t want to shorten your hair, opt for a small trim that will take care of the ends and bring back life to your hair.
* Use sun protectionThe best way to screen your hair from the scorching sun is wearing a scarf. If you don’t want to use a scarf, make sure you use a leave-in conditioner with SPF.You may also opt for a special hair mask or sunscreen product that is made for your hair type. However, make sure you wash your hair once you are home.
* Drink lots of fluidsWhile you may be doing all of the above to protect your hair from the sun, if you are not drinking enough water, you are not going to achieve anything. Opt for cooling liquids that will help you keep your hair healthy and hydrated. Include as many fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet as you can. This is an essential hair care tip for summer.