How to Protect Your Hair During the Summer Months

You probably know that you need to protect your skin during the summer. In fact, you probably purchase makeup and moisturizers with SPF and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. Have you ever taken the time to think about the damage the sun can do to your hair and what you can do to protect it? Keep reading to discover the best forms of hair protection during the summer months.

How the Sun Damages Your Hair

You can see the damage the sun’s UV rays do to your skin if you forget to wear sunscreen. It burns, turns red, and becomes painful. You cannot feel your hair, but that does not mean that it is safe from the harmful rays. In fact, the sun can fade your expensive color quickly, and it can even dehydrate your hair, sapping its moisture and baking the natural oils that it needs to stay healthy.

Trim Your Hair Regularly

The sun is extra harsh on the parts of your hair that are already damaged, be sure that you get a trim now and then to avoid making your split ends worse. You may need to increase your visits to the salon during the summer for quick trims. Keeping on top of those split ends will protect the rest of your hair throughout the hot months.

Use SPF-Laden Products

Many companies create their products with hair protection in mind. Although SPF in shampoo and conditioner will not help much since you rinse most of it out, consider a finishing product like a leave-in conditioner or hairspray that has UV protection. Although sunscreen for your hair is not quite as effective as the products for your skin, it is certainly better than nothing.

Dampen Your Hair before Swimming

If you swim in the salty ocean or a chlorine-laden pool during the summer, your hair is really taking a beating. Your hair literally soaks in the salt and chemicals, causing it to become dry and brittle. The best way to prevent this is to dampen your hair prior to entering the water. Throw a spray bottle in your beach bag, and spray your hair until it is wet before you get in the pool or ocean. By pre-saturating your hair, it is unable soak up the salt and chlorine.

Cover It Up

Finally, just like you cover your skin with light fabric before going out into the sun, you can do the same for your hair. Consider a wide-brimmed hat as a sort of parasol for short to shoulder-length styles.  If you have long hair, wrap it up into a bun and use a bandanna or a scarf. The more you can cover, the better off you will be. Remember that UV can penetrate some fabrics, so use a hair protection product underneath.

Summer hair protection does not have to be difficult. In fact, all it takes is a bit of preparation. Trim your hair prior to the hot months, use UV-blocking finishing products, and cover as much of your hair as possible when you are out in the sun.