The end of summer is drawing near, and you realize you may have spent a little too much time in the sun. There was that day you stayed on the beach from dawn to dusk and didn’t put on a hat once...and that weekend at the amusement park...oh, and the week you spent at the lake with your family…okay, fine, it was the whole summer, and your hair is fried. Now what?
We all know that too much sun isn’t good for us, but hey, we’re human. Sometimes, we get caught up in the moment and don’t do what we should. If your hair is paying the price for your summer in the sun, all hope is not yet lost. Here’s how to treat sun-damaged hair.
Step Up the UV Protection
First, let’s be honest. Summer isn’t over, and you’re probably going to want to keep enjoying the warm weather while it’s here. But it’s never too late to make a change. If you want to keep your locks from getting even more damaged by the sun, you need to focus on UV Protection.
Wear a hat or cover your hair with a scarf when you’re in the sun. Use a UV protection spray on any hair that isn’t covered. If you’re going in a pool, rinse your hair with cold water before entering to give your tresses some extra moisture, and wash as soon as you leave the pool to keep chlorine damage to a minimum.
Skip the Sulfate
Sulfate gives commercial shampoo that foamy lather, but it’s really harsh on damaged hair. Choose shampoo and conditioner that is free of sulfates to help your hair recover and retain moisture.
Viori is always sulfate-free, and our bars are super convenient for travel. Keep them handy when you head to the pool or beach so you can wash salt water and chlorine out of your hair right away. We recommend Terrace Garden or Hidden Waterfall for dry hair.
Cool Down
Heat is your hair’s enemy, and if your hair is already damaged by the sun, you’ll want to take extra care to avoid heat. Allow your hair to air dry whenever possible after showering, and skip the heat styling. If you do use heat to dry or style your hair, use a protective spray first.
Turning the temperature down in the shower will also help keep moisture in your hair where it belongs. Rinsing in cold water helps seal your cuticles, so it’s a good idea to turn the hot water off when rinsing out your conditioner.
Get a Trim
Don’t worry; if you’ve finally gotten the long, beachy waves you’ve always wanted, you don’t have to chop them all off. But even trimming an inch or two off your hair will make a difference. Split ends are likely to become worse, so getting a trim makes sense. You’ll remove a lot of the damage, and your hair will recover faster.
Use a Mask
There’s nothing better than a hydrating mask when your hair is really parched. Look for natural ingredients like aloe vera and oils. You can make a simple DIY mask at home. Just mash an avocado with two tablespoons of aloe vera and one teaspoon of coconut oil. Adjust ingredients as necessary if you have longer or shorter hair. Leave the mask on for half an hour or so, and rinse.
Sun damage isn’t the end of the world. Just give your hair a little extra TLC, and it’ll be healthy again in no time!
