Hello lovelies,
When you’re out this summer enjoying family, friends, and most of all the warm weather, I’m sure your hair will be the last thing on your mind. However, with the potential harm the sun and all that summer entails can cause to your hair, you may want to take extra precautions. Below are four easy ways you can protect your hair this summer and ensure that the sun and the warm weather don’t get in the way of your long hair goals.
Pre-treat Your Hair with Sunscreen
Most of us know the importance of shielding our skin from the sun’s harmful rays via sunscreen, but we don’t understand that our hair needs the same protection. UV rays from the sun have the same effect on hair as it does skin, but the damage is much more apparent when it comes to hair. It may take years, possibly decades, to see the full damage harmful rays from the sun can wreak on our skin, but after just a single day out in the sun, we can immediately tell the effects on our hair. The good news is that just as we protect our skin with sun blocking products, we can use sunscreens to protect our hair as well. Now, not so fast, don’t apply the same sunscreen you use on your skin to your hair. There are specially formulated sunscreens just for your hair that won’t make it feel greasy or weighed down. My favorite sunscreen for hair is the Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil 
Wear a Hat
Summer hats are not only chic, they’re perfect to provide guaranteed protection for your hair from the sun. If you plan to be out soaking up the sun for extended periods of time, a hat is a simple way to protect your hair from getting scorched and drying out in the summer heat. As an added bonus, a hat can provide adequate shade for your face to keep sun-induced wrinkles and brown spots at bay!
Remove Chlorine Buildup
Taking a dip in the pool is the ultimate summer fun, but the chlorine buildup that can follow a fun-filled day at the pool is nothing to rave about. When you swim without protecting your hair, chlorine attaches to the scalp and causes the scalp to produce more oil than normal. Chlorine buildup can make your hair heavy, limp, and practically lifeless, which can make fun summer hairstyles, like beach waves, virtually impossible to achieve . Wearing a swim cap is the simple solution to prevent chlorine build, but if that’s not your style, simply cleanse your hair with a clarifying shampoo after a day in the pool. Paul Mitchell Clarifying Shampoo Three
Deep Condition to Combat any Summer or Sun Damage
For any type of sun damage or other summer-related hair damage, moisture, moisture, moisture is the key to getting your hair back on track. The sun and summer heat naturally weakens the keratin-based protein bonds in our hair strands, and makes our hair more susceptible to breakage and split ends. Ramping up the moisture will provide a protective barrier to the hair and ensure that your locks stay moist and supple in the summer heat. Simply apply your favorite moisturising conditioner to your hair before venturing out into the sun, but don’t wash it out! Yes, leave the conditioner in your hair while you’re out enjoying the sun, and wash it out when you return home in the evening. Deep conditioning is even more necessary if you have color treated hair because the sun’s rays can strip your hair color and and practically fry your already delicate strands.
