Movie sunsets, golden hour glow, that sunkissed effect on your skin? Everything shines in summer, except your hair! Yes, you read that right: while you dream that your favorite season of the year will never end, your hair is crying out for a vacation from the sun, chlorine and salt.
Let's put it in context: the hair fiber is made up of keratin, amino acids, melanin, proteins and lipids, and UV radiation, salt water and chlorine from your pool can not only dry out your hair, but can also heavily alter and damage its chemical structure!
What effect does solar radiation have on hair?
The sun is one of your hair's worst enemies, because while UVB radiation damages the cuticle, causing your hair to lose its shine and frizz excessively, UVA radiation affects the inside of the hair fiber, causing a loss of proteins, amino acids and melanin. The result? Hair looks damaged, lifeless, limp, frizzy and with split ends.
In addition, the loss of melanin is responsible for your hair becoming lighter in summer (especially at the ends, which is the most damaged area) and giving it that California blonde tone we love so much, but you should know that this is nothing more or less than color oxidation and sun damage.
How does salt and chlorine affect hair?
If you're wondering how salt and chlorine affect your hair, you should know that it's almost all the fault of the pH of the water (well, chlorine and salts are also very much to blame), since in both cases the pH is alkaline, and that destroys the lipids in your hair, making it brittle, stiff, and super dry and frizzy. In addition, the presence of some chemical elements in the sea or pool water also oxidizes the color of color-treated or highlighted hair, causing it to take on those yellow tones (in the case of blondie), or orange (if you're team brunette) that take us head over heels.
How to protect your hair in summer?
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Protecting your hair from the sun at 40°C seems impossible, but it's super simple! Just apply your favorite coconut oil product before and during sun exposure, put it in a low bun and wear a cap or hat to protect your hair as much as possible.
Our must-have product is South Bondia leave-in conditioner formulated with this cool oil, plus melon and papaya extracts that are super antioxidants, and defend hair from free radicals and photoaging. And yes, hair also ages and loses its strength, in addition to slowing its growth, and those of us who want long, healthy hair like Brooke Shields in Blue Lagoon can't afford that.
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If you're worried about salt water or chlorine in your pool, don't worry, you can save your hair too! We recommend applying Cotton Lust from mid-lengths to ends so that the oils in this delish serum fill in the gaps in the cuticle, preventing damage to the fiber. And the smell is totally irresistible!
It's also a great option to use a detox shampoo once a week, such as Bare Wash enriched with active metal chelating ingredients, for super effective cleansing, protecting your hair from the accumulation of salts, chlorine, copper and other metals and minerals that leave it limp and without that glossy effect we love.
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Last but not least, L'Essentiel Mask is going to be your absolute crush after beach or pool plans, because it is a very nourishing mask composed of super emollient oils such as coconut, avocado and mango, and açai extract loaded with fatty acids. It will deeply nourish your hair, as well as rebuild the hair fiber thanks to the presence of hydrolyzed wheat proteins, giving your mane back the strength, resistance and shine it deserves.
Summer and great hair? OH YES!!!!
