caring for hair, skin and nails as we age

Summer presents unique challenges for your hair. Your hair is exposed to more sun during the summer time. Depending on where you live, humidity may be an issue. Swimming pools, lakes, rivers, and oceans present their own challenges to your hair as well.

#1 Cover Up Your Hair

When you go outside, make sure that you cover up your hair. Ultraviolet rays from the sun can damage your hair and burn your scalp. On windy days, all those cool breezes can cause your hair to get tangled.

To protect your hair when you are spending extra time outside, make sure that you cover your hair up. You can cover your hair up with a nice hat, or you can use a light-weight scarf to cover-up your hair instead.

#2 Reduce How Frequently You Wash Your Hair

The natural oils in your hair help protect your hair from damage in the summer. You want your hair to have some natural oils in it. That is why you should not wash your hair on a daily basis with shampoo during the summer. Instead, just rinse your hair off without using some shampoo. Remember, it is okay to skip shampooing a day or two when you shower. It's actually good for your hair.

#3 Reduce Extra Heat

Your hair is already exposed to a lot of heat during the summertime; don't amp it up by blow drying and styling your hair every day. Allow your hair to dry naturally in the summer sun.

When you use the hair dryer, turn down the heat. Use the cool setting on your hair. The air will be at a more natural temperature and will still dry your hair; it may take a little longer to dry your hair, but you'll protect your hair from damage.

#4 Get A Haircut

At the start of the summer, get a trim and get rid of any damaged hair that you have. How much hair you need to trim depends upon how long it has been since you last got a haircut, as well as much heat you use on your hair. Do this again at the middle and end of the summer.

Summer is also a great time to try out a new haircut. If you have been thinking that you want to try out a shorter haircut, summer is a great time to do it. Having a little less hair on your head will make things a little cooler for you. This is a good time to thin out your hair and go a little short.

Summer is also a great time to add a little color to your hair. If you want to change up your look, get some highlights. As the sun fades your hair and your highlights, go for some lighter toned highlights to add dimensionality to your hair. 

#5 Clean Your Hair After Swimming

After you go swimming in the pool, make sure to take the time to remove the chlorine from your hair. Create a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar for washing your hair. This natural shampoo will help remove the chlorine from your hair.

Also, before you jump in the pool, use an outdoor shower to get your hair wet. When your hair is wet before you get in the pool, it is more difficult for the chlorine to be absorbed by your hair.

#6 Untangle Your Hair with A Comb

Being outside in the summer, all those summer breezes can really tangle your hair up. If your hair gets tangled, get the tangles out with a wide-tooth comb. It is easier and less likely to cause damage to your hair than a brush. As always, avoid brushing or combing your hair when it is wet. When your hair is wet, it is more likely to break.

This summer, cover your hair up when you go outside, skip washing your hair every time you shower, reduce the heat you use on your hair, use a natural shampoo to remove chlorine from your hair and stick to a comb to untangle your hair after a day outside. For more information, contact your local hair cutting service.