Borrowing from Mark Twain, rumors of my (blog’s) demise have been greatly exaggerated. Posting will probably always be erratic, but I’ve decided I can live with that.
What I can’t live with is the beginnings of “summer hair” I’m experiencing. I don’t live near a beach and haven’t spent any time in the pool, but the wind and sun are doing bad things to my Brazilian-bronze-with-honey-caramel-highlights tresses. Time to switch to summer hair care mode!
Sun
The best tool for fighting sun damage is a hat! Any old hat is better than none at all, but there are hats on the market (no affiliation) that have UV protection built into the material. Check THIS LINK for tips on selecting a sun hat.
If a hat is out of the question, you can always use a styling product with UV filters. Or make your own UV hair spritz using 1 part sunscreen to 2 parts water. (Choose a paraben- and sulfate-free product if you can.)
Wind
I have oily hair, but even a few walks in windy weather have it looking like dried-out straw. All that blowing about can damage the cuticle and weaken the hair shaft. This will eventually lead to breakage. I don’t have enough hair to afford any breakage.
Fortunately, there’s an easy solution: an old-fashioned pony tail. Also, some extra conditioning time works wonders. For short hair, a little leave-in conditioner may hold hair in place.
Chlorine
Chlorine is also damaging to hair. An easy way to limit the amount of chlorine your hair absorbs is to thoroughly wet your hair with lukewarm water before you get in the pool. Hair can hold only so much water, and if it’s wet already, it won’t soak up as much chlorine. (I learned this from a lifeguard.)
Salt Water
A good way to combat the drying effects of salt water is to use leave-in conditioner before going for a swim. The conditioner will act as a buffer between the salt and your hair. Or you can use a bit of olive oil and consider it a hot-oil treatment.
I’m no hair stylist, and you can tell by my hair that I don’t visit my stylist nearly enough, but I’ve used each of these suggestions in the past with good results.
Do you have summer hair care tips to share?
Photo credit – lindawild via Flickr
I was pretty good about wearing a hat so my part wouldn’t burn and then my hairdresser told me that the sun makes my hair color fade faster and now I’m doubly motivated to put a hat on!
Karen@WaistingTime recently posted..That’s the Sound of My World’s Colliding
I forgot to mention fading hair color, Karen! Thanks! I’m happy to help support my stylist, but I don’t want to need extra sessions.
Can you help my “stick your finger in a light socket” hair! Frizzy & curly & craziness all year round! Headband or ponytail for me! Hats don’t fit too good over my crazy hair!
Jody – Fit at 54 recently posted..Bacon Sundae, C.R.A.P. and More!
Our hair is very important especially to us girls.. This summer, we badly needed these tips for our hair care.. Thanks!
I just cut my off for the summer. Just kidding – it’s always cut very short now that we live in the desert. Still, my hair has never been this dry. I always wear a hat and actually use a conditioner now. Um, maybe that’s just old age…
Jan recently posted..Going Off The Grid