It’s finally summer! Bring on the beach parties, vacation flights, refreshing pool-side drinks and the cutest pair of open-toed sandals to match your new pedicure. If we can be honest, the last thing you should be concerned with is choosing summer fun or the health of your hair. Yes, that means swimming too! This natural girl summer guide will show you exactly how.
Fresh Start
Start off your summer with a trim. Not only will it freshen up your look a bit but also reveal growth and length retention in the long run. According to Dr. Alan Park, board certified dermatologist and founder of Derm Warehouse, “Hair tends to grow a little faster in summer and slower in winter,”. It’s because the hair follicles are in the anagen phase (growth phase) longer. So, without trimming off last seasons damage it could ruin the chances of seeing the results of healthy growth. It’s best to a fresh start on those hair length goals and let the damage go.
Skip Hot Tools
Avoid additional heat styling tools. Moisture zapping heat will already be a challenge for your hair this summer, so staying away from hot tools will assist your strands in retaining as much moisture as possible. Just in case you can’t live without your tools, be sure to use a
quality heat protectant and to reduce the frequency in which you normally use them.
Cover Up
You might have known that UV rays can be damaging to the skin, but did you know it can damage your hair as well? A simple way to protect your tresses is to cover them. Wearing a hat protects to some degree but to take it a step further consider using a headwrap to wrap made of silk or polyester.
Why these types of fabric you ask? According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, “the composition of your fabric really matters. Shiny polyesters and even light weight satiny silks can be highly protective” from harmful UV rays. You can even opt for hair products that offer UV protection.
The most common complaint I hear is "I don't know how to tie a headwrap? I've got you
covered. These pre-tied wraps, are easy to use and ready to get you back to enjoying summer.
Moisture Boost
All that sweat and grime from the summer heat can increase your hair’s need for a good wash. That increase in washing requires special attention to making sure you are using a moisturizing shampoo and deep conditioner every wash day. The goal is to balance the scale of the moisture-stripping affects shampoo can have. Replenishing moisture while cleansing is crucial to maintain the advantage over summer dryness.
Product tip: When choosing a moisturizing or hydrating product, do you know the difference? Moisturizing products are used to add moisture to the hair and can be used daily if needed. Hydrating products are considered treatments for chronic dryness and used once or twice monthly.
Drink Up
You might have seen this coming, so we might as well address it. The more our bodies stay hydrated the better chance our hair will too. The average human body is made up of 60% water and without it, basic bodily functions wouldn’t occur. That includes transporting nutrients to your hair, creating natural oils for moisture and cell regeneration for a healthy scalp.
Increasing your water intake can be simple. Besides drinking an ice cold glass, you should also make sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. They also contain water, and keep you fuller longer. Win-Win!
Leave-In
Applying a light leave-in conditioner to your hair is like insurance. It covers all the bases you may have missed. It not only adds moisture, but it helps detangle, strengthen and protect your hair from damage. It’s especially helpful for those who often have dry, damaged or frizzy curls. I highly recommend TGIN's Green Tea Leave-in Conditioner. It's light weight and delivers amazing moisture.
Before You Swim
Growing up I always believed that swimming was off limits if you wanted healthy hair. Not
true. Here are a few things additional things you can do to make sure you enjoy some pool time this summer with the dryness.
· Wear a swim cap- the right fit will minimize complete saturation of the hair
· Clarify as needed- to help remove chemicals from chlorinated water
· Wet your hair before swimming-it allows the hair to absorb fresh water and less chlorine
· Braid or twist your hair- to prevent tangles before and after the pool
Commenti