Tips To Keep Your Hair In Top Condition As Summer Approaches
We’ve already enjoyed some lovely weather so far this spring, with plenty of warm sunny days and the promise of a good summer ahead. This naturally leads to spending more time outdoors to make the most of the sunshine. We all know about the importance of using sunscreen to protect our skin from the harmful effects of UV rays.
However, our hair can also be damaged by the sun, leaving it dry, brittle, and prone to frizz or colour fading. Here’s a look at how natural hair care products can help to keep your hair in great condition this spring and summer.
What are the dangers of sun exposure to the hair?
While the risks of sun exposure to the skin are well known, it’s also important to protect your hair. This is particularly true if you have thin or sparse hair, because UV rays can cause irritation and dryness to the scalp, or even cause sunburn and increase the risk of skin cancer.
The sun can also dry out the hair shaft and weaken the protein structure of the hair, leading to breakages and split ends. You may find that your hair is frizzier and more difficult to style than usual, and loses its natural volume and shine. Colour-treated hair can fade, and naturally darker hair colours can lose depth and richness.
How to keep your hair protected and nourished
It’s important to take some extra precautions to safeguard your hair as the sun gets hotter. However, piling on products that are loaded with artificial colours, fragrances and ingredients such as parabens, silicones, and alcohols can cause even more damage. Instead, look for products that contain 100 per cent natural ingredients.
Use a weekly deep conditioning treatment
A weekly deep conditioning treatment will help to support your regular conditioner and strengthen your hair from within. Natural ingredients such as shea butter, aloe vera and jojoba oil provide intense nourishment and are suitable for sensitive skin types. Apply once or twice a week and leave on for ten to 15 minutes before rinsing.
Use natural oils
Use natural oils to seal in moisture and protect against frizz and brittle hair. Products such as 100 per cent pure organic Moroccan Argan oil will provide a protective barrier over your hair, locking in moisture and protecting individual strands from UV damage. They will also leave your hair looking beautifully soft, shiny and manageable.
Keep curls under control
If your hair is naturally curly, summer can present extra challenges to keep them looking defined and frizz-free. Look for products that are specifically formulated for curls, and contain calming and nourishing ingredients such as murumuru and macadamia oil. These will tame flyaways hairs and define each wave without weighing your curls down.
A leave-in lightweight conditioner will provide an extra layer of protection if your hair is particularly dry or prone to split ends.
Other tips to protect your hair from the sun
If you are travelling to a very hot climate or spend prolonged periods of time outdoors, then it is advisable to wear a hat or a scarf. This will help to keep you cooler, and also protect your hair and scalp.
Rinse your hair directly after swimming in the sea or the pool to remove traces of salt or chlorine, which will dry out your hair and lead to colour fading. If you usually rely on heating styling tools to get your look together, try giving your hair a break and embrace its natural texture.
Manage your hydration levels to ensure that the cells responsible for building strong healthy hair have a good supply of water. If you have a very active lifestyle or the weather is unusually warm and you are sweating more than usual, consider using a rehydration tablet and carry a water bottle with you at all times.
With some simple precautions and nourishing natural haircare products, it’s possible to keep your tresses looking glossy and beautiful, whatever the weather.
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