Protect Your Hair From The Summer Flare!

Summer is approaching and shops are stocking their shelves with suncream and aftersun. When we think about sun protection, our initial thoughts are how to save our skin from sun damage - but do we ever think about how the rays are ruining our hair?

Exposing your hair to the sun without any level of protection can leave your hair dry and brittle, leading to the breakage of weakened hair strands. Lack of moisture can cause hair to lose its natural oils and elasticity, allowing it to break under light strain such as towel-drying and brushing. Luckily, there are many ways which we can protect our hair before this becomes a reality. Here are a few simple tips to keep your locks looking healthy during summer.

1. Drink water.

Staying hydrated is a simple yet effective way of making sure our hair retains moisture. We drink water to keep our bodies hydrated, and what goes in our bodies shows on the outside. The same goes for what we eat. Eating clean and healthily will ultimately show through our skin, hair and nails - whatever you feed your body will nourish your hair. Drinking 2-3 litres of water when it's hot outside is ideal to stay hydrated.

2. Avoid styling irons.

If our hair is already struggling under the strain of the sunshine, then continuing to use straighteners and curling tongs will only make it worse. Styling irons produce extreme heat and should be used sparingly at the best of times. Leaving hair to air dry instead of using a hot hairdryer and opting for a natural textured look could be a better alternative. There are plenty of styling products which don't necessarily need the addition of heat to achieve the desired style. Beachy, tousled styles can be created with salt and texture sprays to create an 'undone' style for the perfect summer look. If a hairdryer is an essential part of your hair routine, then you could compromise by using a lower heat setting.

3. Use UV protection.

If you thought that they only made UV protection four your skin, then you'd be wrong! There are now products that protect your hair against UV rays. These can come in the form of leave-in and pre-styling spray which act as barriers by coating the hair shaft. Without protection, the hair strands can weaken and even cause colour fading. Damage to the hair creates an uneven rough texture which is why when hair is damaged, it looks dull and lacklustre. Using sun and heat protectors help to seal the hair strand, keeping it smooth and sleek.

4. Deep condition weekly.

Using deep conditioning masks regularly will help replace lost moisture in the hair due to dry, hot weather. Conditioning treatments can keep the hair soft, supple and shiny. It's also a good idea to pack a mini moisturing mask in your suitcase if you go abroad to a hot country. The heat is generally more intense and has the added challenge of chlorinated swimming pools. This added together with high UV rays is a perfect recipe for damage. Using a rich conditioner after each pool day can do your hair wonders so that when you touchdown back home, your hair doesn't feel like straw.

5. Wear a hat.

Not only will wearing a hat protect your hair, but it will also protect your scalp from getting burnt and drying out. Direct sunlight on your scalp could affect hair growth as hair follicles get harmed due to sun overexposure. Covering your head with a hat or a head scarf could prevent this damage and help your hair retain its natural oils. 

Have more questions about your hair? Read our blog post on common hair queries to see if we can shed some light on subjects that have you stumped!