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All You Need To Know About Healthy Hair Maintenance During Summer

Posted by ecostinger on 4th Apr 2016

Summer is the best time to have fun as we relax. It is during this period that everyone looks forward to going to the beach, pool and anywhere else in the beautiful hot sunny weather. However, these events tend to pose a danger of harming your healthy hair #healthyhair. This post looks at some helpful tips to help you prevent hair damage as you enjoy your summer.

Whenever your hair gets exposed to too much sun, the chances are that it will get damaged by the UVA and the UVB rays. The UVA rays burn the outer layer of the hair (cuticles) destroying the cells and thus rendering it dry or brittle. The combination of the two can cause an intense damage up to the center of the hair shaft (cortex) making the strength and elasticity of your hair reduce.

If you are going to be in the sun for long hours, ensure that you put on a scarf, hat or a cap. These are helpful in protecting the scalp from getting damaged when exposed to too much heat by ensuring that it remains moisturized. Note that when covered up, you do not only stay protected from the extra UV rays, but also from the wind which can cause your hair to tangle.

Most people find swimming during summer to be fun. This activity is great for your body as it helps you stretch your limbs, strengthen your lungs and heart to name a few. Unfortunately, it may not be the same for your hair especially if you are swimming in chlorinated pools or salt waters. Chlorine can strip hair oil from your tresses and cause severe damage over time. Salt, on the other hand, can percolate the hair moisture leading to dryness, loss of strength, shine and elasticity.

To avoid these adverse effects, you need to wet your hair with fresh water before you jump into the sea or pool. By doing this, your hair becomes less able to absorb the chlorinated or salty water. And immediately you are done swimming, rinse your hair with cold and fresh water as soon as possible. In addition to that, you can invest in a clarifying shampoo to protect your hair from the harsh pollutants. You could also choose to use an oil spray before getting into the water to protect the hair from the dehydrating effects.

Your hair is most fragile when it’s wet. After swimming, make sure that you don’t rip a brush through it because it can cause damage by snagging strands. You can, however, use a wide-tooth comb since it's more gentle when it comes to untangling your hair. Also, limit the use of curling irons, blow dryers or straighteners during summer. The amount of heat your hair is exposed to during this period is enough, and you would not want to add any more. If you have to use any of them, apply some leave in conditioner for protection.

Although you can condition your hair daily, avoid shampooing because it can strip moisture and essential oils from your hair. You can reduce the number of times you wash it or use a natural dry or homemade shampoo to go a bit longer without washing. Hair chemicals are also not healthy for your hair since most of them are known to take away the moisture. You should, therefore, keep hair bleach, chemical straighteners as well as color relaxers at bay.

We are what we eat. It is a no-brainier therefore, that good nutrition is at the core of healthy hair. Omega-3 fatty acids are one of the essential foods that are beneficial to your hair. They assist in the production of cell membranes in the scalp which help in the creation of natural oils, thereby encouraging the hair to grow and preventing it from drying out. The other one is vitamin C, which aids in the production of tyrosine and collagen. These maintain the structure of the hair follicles and protect the hair strands respectively. Others include beta-carotene and Vitamin E, which strengthen and protect the hair from the effects of the intense sun.

In a nutshell, your diet should be balanced, meaning that you can also include some portions of protein and fat in it. And as you ensure this, keep your body hydrated by drinking enough water every day. This way, your hair remains hydrated and thus more healthy.