The summer can wreak havoc on your hair if you are not careful. Combine daily exposure to the sun along with frequent dips in a chlorinated pool and you have a recipe for dry, damaged summer hair. The sun can also oxidize your hair color as well. Olansky Dermatology Associates is committed to helping patients achieve healthy skin, nails and hair through all seasons. Here are some helpful tips to prevent damage to your hair during the summer months.
UV Protection
You may be diligent when it comes to applying sunscreen on exposed areas of your skin. However, we often forget to use sunscreen on our hair. Spraying from head to toe means that your hair and scalp are protected from harmful UV rays too. This is especially important when applying sunscreen on your child, as they have sensitive skin on their scalp that can burn easily. Of course the most effective form of protection is to cover your hair completely by wearing a hat. Girls can tie up their hair in a ponytail for better sun protection as well.
Swimmer’s Hair Prevention
Besides wearing swim cap, which most of us probably don’t do throughout the summer, there are still steps you can take to prevent chlorine-damaged hair. The chlorine content in most traditional swimming pools leaves hair feeling dry, brittle and even green in some cases. The first and most important action you can take is to wash and rinse your hair with a clarifying shampoo immediately following your swim. Next, you must restore the moisture. Apply a conditioner that is specially formulated for dry hair. Start from the ends up and work the conditioner through your hair. Try to leave it in your hair for at least two minutes before your rinse it out. Swimming is fun and a great form of exercise for all ages, but the damaging and drying affect on your hair can be detrimental if you do not combat it with a prompt hair care regime.
Skin protection is essential during the summer, but let’s not forget to tend to your hair and scalp as well. Skin cancer of the scalp is one of the deadliest forms of melanoma. Taking the extra time to apply sunscreen to your head as well as jumping in the shower after a swim can make a dramatic impact on the health of your hair and scalp this summer.
