Keeping Hair Healthy In Hot Weather.

Summer is a time of being outside, of having fun, and of trying to keep our hair in decent shape, especially  if we already apply heat via curling irons or blow drying it.  During summer, we expose our hair to the bright light of the sun and it can dehydrate our hair, making the strands more brittle thus facing long term damage.  

In addition, exposure to either salt water or fresh water can damage our hair further.  If you love swimming in the ocean, the salt can dry on the hair, making it feel horrible while the fresh water can add bacteria, dirt, or microbes to the hair.

The last thing that can effect your hair during the summer is wind.  The wind blows your hair, causing it to create small knots or tangles which can lead to split ends.  It doesn't have to be windy for your hair to suffer from wind damage.  One can experience damage by having the windows open, or riding on a motor bike.  There was a reason you saw the leading lady wear a scarf when she was heading down the high way in a convertible car. 

There are several things that can be done to cut down on damage to hair over the summer.  Start the summer by getting your hair trimmed so all the split ends are gone and your hair is as healthy as possible.  Don't forget to use a hair mask between one and three times a week.  After shampooing our hair, use a hair mask instead of conditioner and leave it on for a nice long time so it has the chance to really soak in.  Hair masks are designed to rehydrate hair so it looks and feels so much better.

Summer is also a time that many people suffer from more frizz due to the humidity in the air.  Use a hair serum to help counteract the frizz and help with blow away strands.  A good hair serum will lock in moisture and reduce split ends.  Since it is hot in the summer, get rid of your blow dryer because the air around you will help remove moisture and dry it at the same time.  If you keep using the blow dryer, curling iron, or other styling tool, the heat from them can remove any extra moisture you've manage to return to the hair.

An unfortunate side effect to hot weather is that it can cause the scalps oil production to increase.  This increased production of oil can clog pores and make your hair much greasier.  One way to avoid this is to find a gentle shampoo that naturally cleanses your hair. Go back in time and wear a cute hat, or scarf to protect your hair from the sun and wind.  Wearing a hat or scarf will keep protect your hair from UVA and UVB rays and keep your scalp from burning.  

Remember your hair changes from season to season and it is important to change your routine.  Don't be afraid to switch to a heavier duty conditioner if your hair becomes dryer or to a lighter conditioner if your hair is oilier during the summer.  If you swim in a pool regularly, be aware of exposing your hair to chlorine which can really damage your hair.  I used to think my mom wore a swim cap to keep her hair dry but I realized it also protected her hair from the chlorine.  If you do not want to wear a swim cap, think about not washing your hair until after your swim because the natural oils can help protect your hair.  Just wet your hair before you go in because wet hair is less likely to absorb chlorine.  As soon as you get out of the pool, at least rinse your hair of the chlorine.  If you want to shampoo and condition your hair, look for a shampoo that will get rid of the chlorine.

Check back on Wednesday for something on ways to cover your hair so it stays healthier this summer.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.