July 14, 2021
So things are heating up this summer! We are outside more in the elements, enjoying pool activities, and traveling the world. We tend to skip our regular hair appointments, and lean more towards protective styles. All these summer time fun events can cause stress and damage on hair. The good news is that there are ways to prevent any damage from occurring,
Let us start by being out in the elements, and when I say elements I mean air and water. Depending on where you live, there is a range of dry air to moist air. Be clear that hair HATES dry air, "why?" you ask. Because the hair is made up of two molecules... protein and water. When the air is dry it sucks any of the water reserve out of the hair leaving the strands dry, and when hair is dry the proteins in the hair become brittle causing hair to become what? DRY! When hair is dry it is more prone to breakage. Now this moisture, it is everything! If you live in a place where the moisture is high, consider yourself lucky, because moisture is one of the key ingredients that hair needs. The double edge sword to moisture in the air is that hair is more prone to becoming frizzy. There are also ways around that to a certain extent.
People love nothing more than to be around a beautiful pool with water trickling in the background, because water relaxes the body and the mind, and on a molecular level it releases endorphins and makes you feel like you are on a happy high. If you are around some natural spring water, your hair will love you for putting it in such a steamy environment. On the other hand if you are in salt or chlorinated water your hair could be doomed. Salt is a natural dehydrator, and will not vibe well if your hair is chemically treated with color, lighteners, relaxers, and perms. Much like salt, chlorine will do the same causing hair, nail, and skin destruction. Again there are ways to minimize the salt and chlorine intake.
Every summer we spend money, time and effort into preparing for a trip. One of those expenses is our hair. All the options range from a haircut, color, sew in extensions, and braids. A lot of times we want to be cute and not have to worry about our hair. The big question always is, "is this style going to be good for me to get in the water?", and to be quite honest with with you...NO! So a new color as stated before with salt or chlorine are not friends, it will cause a total desert for your hair, wait until you get back for a new color. Sew In Extensions or extensions of any type is not a bad idea, but it is very difficult to properly shampoo the hair that is all hemmed up in braids, thread, and extra hair. The same rings true for braids or crochet braids, wet tightly braided hair can weigh down hair causing tension on roots and strangle strands. There is never anything wrong with getting a new haircut or maybe a fresh trim for your trip, so carry on with that.
Biggest problem with the summer time and hair is that because or kiddos are out of school and we have trips and other obligations, we neglect or hair. we skip appointments for the summer, we get protective styles and wear it the whole summer without proper removal and conditioning. It must be made the new normal that visits to the salon don't stop at summer time. Don't get me wrong, it gets busy, but we all make time for what we want. So keep your regular beauty sessions, if you get a protective style have it properly installed, and removed. once the protective style is removed, a conditioning treatment and a trim is required. Your stylist will be able to tell you what type of treatment you may need. Protective styles like braids should only be worn for at least 4-6 weeks. Hair grows at least half an inch every 4-5 weeks, and when hair has been kept up longer than this period, it can lead to hair dreading and extreme tangling when the install is removed.
Preventative measures that we take to protect our hair are super minut and can make a huge difference. For one if you will be spending time outside using a ultraviolet hair product on your tresses that will protect your hair from sun damage, it works much like sunscreen for your skin. My favorite products are CHI Rose Hip Oil UV Protecting Spray, Redken UV Rescue Recovery Treatment, Moroccanoil Protect & Prevent Spray, Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil, and COOLA Scalp & Hair Mist Organic Sunscreen SPH 30. Secondly If you are going to be in a chlorinated or salt pool, and really anywhere you are going to get your hair wet. Don't just jump in the pool bone dry. Your hair and skin are like sponge, if a sponge is dry it will take on everything in the water, but if you wet the sponge first it won't take as much harmful properties. So before you hop in that water wet your hair and body first with regular water, and apply a conditioner, leave in conditioner or one of those UV protective products in your hair. After you are done with water play rinse off your hair and body again with regular water. HINT: This is why you see outdoor showers or bathhouse showers located near a pool or beachside. Third, keep your regular hair appointments where it permits. before your protective style see your hairstylist to prep your hair, and go after so he/she can condition and trim your hair. If you have someone else install your braids, go back to that same person to have it removed. it is their work and they know how properly take it out with minimal damage. Bear in mind that there will be extreme shedding, but this is because hair sheds 150-200 hair strands per day. When hair has been "protected" for an extended period time, it has no where to go, and when the hair is detangled and combed during the removal process a lot of the hair the shed will be coming out. The shedding will subside after the shampoo session.
Enjoy your summer festivities, wear your protective styles, but be safe in what you do with your hair. I hope these tips will help in how to love on your hair during the summer season.
Learn more about taking care of your hair by subscribing to my online school, Love On Your Hair University. Click on the link https://mona-d-coiffeur-hair-coach.teachable.com/admin-app/site/domains#:~:text=mona-d-coiffeur-hair-coach.teachable.com
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