Summer is here and so is that wonderful summer sun. Sunscreen is always a yes when going out for long periods of time, but what about hair. There are a few ways to keep hair healthy during the summer that do not cost much and are quite simple.
Hair, like skin, must be protected from the sun's harmful rays and keep moisturized for a healthy, long life. These five ways to keep hair healthy will ensure your hair glows as much as that new summer tan!
Leave-In Conditioner
Between the sun, the sea, and the sand, our hair gets beat up while at the beach. To keep hair moisturized and brittle strands at bay, rinse your hair before heading out, but do not use shampoo or wash out your conditioner. This extra moister will form a moister mask and help reduce UV damage.
The easiest thing to do is to wet your hair, then pat dry it with a towel and massage your conditioner throughout your hair. Once this is done, you can tie it up, braid it, or, my personal favorite this season, put it in a nice bun atop your head. Once you get home, simply wash the conditioner out and enjoy your new super-soft hair!
Washing 101
This tip will help keep hair healthy and styles last longer all year round. When washing your hair, use shampoo on the scalp only. Shampoo will reduce oils in the hair along with any dirt and debris. Shampooing our hair from roots to ends will take needed moister from the ends and increase oil production at the roots. By shampooing at the roots only, you will be helping dry strands retain their moister and roots stay oil free for longer.
Likewise, when conditioning, only condition the ends. Our roots do not need the added moister benefits of conditioning, but our ends will break and split less. This will help hair stay smooth and styles last longer. Once I started doing these two tips, I found my hair needed to be restyled or washed half as often.
It is best to never wash your hair with shampoo before going for a swim. Shampoo will take nutrients and oils out of your hair that it may need to protect itself from the elements.
SPF
We protect our skin, why not protect our hair? UV rays can damage air and reduce the lifespan of color treatments. Hair SPF's can be purchased for super cheap and last forever. There are all sorts of hair SPF's from hairspray with UV protection to hair serums that also give some extra luster. Check out your local beauty store for tons of options. One of my favorites is the Redken UV Rescue. It has flecks of glitter in the oil serum to give your hair some extra sheen.
Deep Conditioning
Depending on how much your are outside over the summer, your hair could use a deep conditioning twice a month to once every week. There are plenty of deep conditioners on the market that do wonders. If you would prefer something more home grown, try an avocado masque with one part avocado and two parts olive oil. Leave this in for twenty minutes, then wash and style per usual.
To get some extra soft ends, wrap your hair in a silk scarf or cotton. This will help increase moister absorption and reduce frizzies.
Take Your Vitamins
A sure fire way to see one's health is through their skin, finger nails, and hair. To really keep your body healthy this summer, take 100% organic vitamins, specifically a multivitamin, fish oil vitamin, and a vitamin C supplement. This vitamin cocktail will give skin and hair a natural sheen and keep cell production at it's peek.
Remember, lad synthesized vitamins are not the same as vitamins with ingredients that have bee grown in nature. Lab vitamins are missing vital phytonutrients that help fight free radicals, have UV protectant qualities, reduce risks of cancer, reduce risks of liver-disease, increase our immune responses, and aid with proper cellular function.
