3 Easy Ways To Keep Hair Healthy And Protected This Summer
Summer is the perfect time to reassess your hair styling routine. Time spent at the beach or pool, going to cookouts and having lazier days call for easier routines, and that includes for your hair. Take advantage of your beautiful natural hair and go for carefree styling to save it from damage and keep it healthy this summer.
1. Lay Off Heat Styling Tools
If you’ve spent the last several months blow drying and straightening your hair, swap out your heat styling tools for natural, air-dried hair styles. They not only require less time but help limit the damage that the summer sun and heat can cause. Besides, who wants to spend all that time blow drying their hair in the summer heat? If you have naturally curly hair, use a styling product to manage your locks and keep frizz away. If your hair is wavy or even if it’s stick-straight, a volumizing or texturizing product can give hair a lift or create beach waves. You can also put damp hair in a braid at bedtime and in the morning, you will wake up to soft, lose waves. I have naturally curly hair so when summer comes, I want less fuss. Over the years, I have learned to accept, and even appreciate, my natural hair. By using a few key products formulated especially for curly hair, I’m able to keep my curls in check and minimize frizz. And when those bad hair days come, or when it’s just too hot to have my hair sitting on my neck and shoulders, I turn to a braid or pin my hair up into a bun for relief from the heat.
2. Protect Against Sun and Heat
Days at the beach and time spent lounging poolside can create a parched head of hair. So how can you avoid the drought? Years ago, my hair stylist told me the best way to avoid dry hair in the summer is to soak my strands with plain water before taking a dunk in the pool or diving into the surf. You can also bring a spray bottle of leave-in conditioner or even hair oil with you and spray your hair down before entering the water. By wetting your hair down completely, or at least the ends, your hair will absorb less chlorine and saltwater. You can also use a leave-in hair product that offers UV protection from the sun. Wearing a hat or scarf is also a smart way to protect your hair – and your color from fading more quickly – and adds an extra layer of protection from the sun for your face along with your daily sunscreen.
3. Deep Condition
Image via Stocksnap
Slather on a deep conditioner at least once a month. My hair is thick and coarse, so for me, this is a necessity. I have learned that using a deep conditioner on a daily basis provides the extra hydration my hair needs; I just leave it on for one or two minutes versus the five minutes if I was deep conditioning. You can also use coconut oil. Concentrate on coating your ends then pin your hair up and put on a shower cap. Leave it in for at least 30 minutes then shampoo, condition and style as usual. The result will be soft, shiny hair that you won’t be able to stop touching.
