With summer just around the corner, it’s time to shake off the winter blues and enjoy the sun as much as you can before the cold sets in again. School and college students would particularly look forward to this time off from the hectic schedule of studies. Summer means lazing around, long hours at the beach, or playing sports with friends. Wouldn’t it be great if you could also have great looking hair throughout all this?
Summer hair care is all about keeping your hair hydrated, avoiding extended exposure to the sun, and keeping off from using excessive styling products. A lot of people tend to forget that the summer requires its very own care regimen, one that is quite different from how you would treat your hair in the winter. While winters are notorious for drying out hair, even summers can do so, what with the excessive heat and sun.
Use Protection
It is of prime importance that you use optimal protection when going out. If you have long hair, this means keeping it covered, or wearing it in buns, ponytails, etc. to avoid exposing your hair completely to the sun. Men can keep their hair protected by wearing hats.
There are hair specific protective sunscreens available on the market these days. These sunscreens should be applied 20-30 minutes before you go out in the sun and washed away afterwards. If you plan to spend long hours under direct sunlight, such as at the beach or playing sports, then a hair sunscreen is highly recommended.
On the topic of protection: if you are using hats, make sure that they fit snugly and are washed periodically. Hats are one garment that few people take the time to wash regularly, leading to buildup of sweat, dirt and grime. All this can play havoc with your scalp’s sebaceous glands (the ones responsible for secreting oil), leading to excessively greasy hair. So remember to wash your hats frequently if you plan to wear them regularly.
Hydrate
One bit of universal advice that is also applicable when it comes to summer hair care: drink plenty of water. You can never go wrong with drinking extra water, so whenever you can, grab a glass or two. Don’t limit yourself to the 8 glasses a day usually recommended. Drink 12, 16, 20, or even 40 glasses – extra water in your body will never hurt you, particularly in summers.
Besides drinking plenty of water, also make sure that your hair gets its daily hydration. This means using a high quality conditioner suited to your hair type. When it comes to choosing hair conditioners, experiment a lot with different brands to find the one that suits you perfectly. Pick up a few sample packs and try them over the span of a month. Keep in mind that pricier does not always have to mean better; often, cheaper conditioners might turn out to be much better than their expensive counterparts.
It is also a very good idea to use a hair moisturizer regularly. Apply the moisturizer at night and wash it off in the morning. Make it a part of your daily summer hair care regimen.
While we are on the subject of hydration and hair care for summer, remember to always use cold water for washing your hair. I know it is a foregone conclusion, but the importance of NOT using warm water for washing hair (as it strips the hair of moisture) can never be emphasized enough.
Other Summer Hair Care Tips
Always wear a cap if you are going out for swimming. Always wash your hair after you’ve taken a swim. Avoid heating your hair through flat-irons or curling-irons – it can lead to long term damage to your hair.
Also try to avoid excessive styling products, especially the ones containing alcohol and paraffin gel. Buy some natural, organic products instead. They may be slightly more expensive, but provide much better returns in the form of healthier hair.
Hair care for the summer essentially involves keeping the hair protected from the harsh sun, and keeping it hydrated and moisturized. Follow the above tips, and you will have gorgeous, shiny hair that will be the envy of everybody.
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