How to protect your hair this summer

On vacation, we enjoy sunbathing. Of course, you wouldn’t think of basking in the sun without protecting your skin. Yet, while your hair suffers equally from UVA and is susceptible to sunburn on the scalp, it’s not uncommon to see men spend the day at the beach without a hat or sun protection. This is a mistake. Here, we help you take care of your hair in the summer – to avoid returning home without it being damaged or you being burned.

Before exposing your head

Before your vacation, you can prepare your hair for the sun. Since UVA rays damage the keratin in your hair by penetrating deeply, it is better to prevent this. So opt for vegetable oils. Ylang ylang, coconut or raspberry seed oils, with their rich compositions are ideal for protecting your hair. By applying one of these oils the day before your sun exposure, you are giving your hair natural sun protection. How does it work? Leave the oil on your lengths overnight (not at the root, or it will be weighed down) and rinse with clean water upon waking. Even if you have a regular bathing routine, doing this just once a week is enough. If you have greasy hair, the oils may weigh it down. Go for sun sprays, with a light and non-sticky texture. Apply just before sunbathing, and repeat the routine each time you leave the water. There are also sunscreens specially formulated for hair: these too are suitable for greasy locks, as well as other types of hair. Unlike oils these creams can be left in and will not apply weight. Don’t want to use sunscreen on your hair? Fair enough. In this case, choose a head-covering. Whether it’s a baseball cap or a straw hat, the important thing is that it protects your hair from damage.

After your swim

Once you’ve enjoyed a dip in the sea, it’s vital to rinse yourself with clean water to prevent the salt from sticking to the scalp, and from dehydrating your hair. This will make it rough and brittle. To limit this day-long assault, the process is simple. First, wash your hair with a mild purifying shampoo to remove impurities. If you haven’t bathed, keep a shampoo routine every other day. Then, nourish with a strengthening conditioner to detail and prevent your hair from drying out. Finish with a good jet spray of cold water. This will help tighten the fabric of the hair – while giving you a welcome wake-up call as summer is in motion. After you leave the shower, let your hair air-dry: firstly, because the hairdryer may damage it, and secondly because the heat will make it dry too quickly. If you must style your hair, choose a styling product that contains moisturising ingredients. You can also choose to let the hair breathe. They will be grateful.

What you eat

In summer, like all year round, your diet affects the health of your hair. As luck would have it, the foods we are likely to consume in summer are suitable to protect your hair from the dangers of the sun: as consuming fish provides the proteins necessary for hair resistance. Colourful fruit and vegetables, rich in carotene, will protect and strengthen your hair. Also, try melons, peaches, carrots, peppers, and apricots. We trust your eyes, here. In summer, our hair is subject to numerous attacks, from the salt, sun, wind, and chlorine – all of which discolour, dehydrate, and weaken it. To enjoy your holidays, keep them safe.