Happy Summer Solstice! The longest day of the year is finally here, which means it’s officially summer! It also means that the beaches around Lake Michigan will be packed. As fun as the sand and sun can be, time at the beach can also be detrimental to your hair, if you’re not careful. Don’t worry, though, because there are plenty of ways to protect your hair so you can still live the mermaid life this summer.
Protect Your Hair from Sun Damage with Sprays
Much like sun screen for your skin, there are hair products that protect hair from sun damage. Prolonged exposure to the sun can discolor hair, create brittleness and frizzing, break hair ends and thin hair. Your hair is particularly susceptible to damage if it’s light colored, thin or tightly coiled. In order to protect your hair at the beach, use a sun care spray. Lots of different companies provide them. We love Sun Care Protective Hair Veil from Aveda, which is a lightweight, water-resistant UV defense mist that forms an invisible screen to help protect hair from sun exposure. UVA/UVB filters derived from wintergreen and cinnamon bark oils help protect hair from the drying effects of the sun, and it’s cruelty-free!
Protect Your Scalp by Wearing a Hat
If you know you’re going to be at the beach for a few hours, bring a wide brimmed hat. Not only are they fashionable, but hats offer the best protection for your scalp. The skin under your hair can get burned, and a sun burn on your part is no fun. You can rub sunscreen into your part, but that can get a little messy. The best and easiest way to save your scalp is a hat. Plus, there’s the added bonus of protecting your face and neck from sun damage, which reduces the chance of skin cancer.
Wet Your Hair Before Heading into Salt Water
If you’re hanging out at the ocean, you should take one extra step before heading into the waves. Wet your hair with freshwater first. Your hair is like a sponge and it absorbs what’s around it. If you hair absorbs freshwater first, it will absorb less salt water. This prevents the salt from completely drying out your hair. When you’re done at the beach, rinse your hair immediately with fresh water to remove any excess salt.
Give Your Hair a Styling Break before the Beach
We all know that styling with heat can lead to damage and weaken hair. If your hair is weak when you visit the beach, you’re at greater risk of sun damage. A day or two before your trip, give your hair a break by not styling with heat. Avoid harsh styling agents like hair sprays or gels, too. Your hair will have a chance to repair itself before exposure to sun or salt water.
Want more advice? Make your appointment at ourMilwaukee-area salons! Our stylists can help you create healthy hair.
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