Fix swimming hair with these simple steps

Hot weather, chlorinated swimming pools and salty sea water can all wreak havoc with your hair, resulting in dry lengths, damaged ends and dull, faded colour.

So, how do you keep your hair looking full, shiny and healthy during the warmest months of the year? A few small tweaks to you everyday routine can make all the difference.

Don’t forget the SPF for your hair

UV rays can damage your hair as well as your skin. Investing in a hair protector that has UV filters has the same effect as sun cream, shielding the strands from harmful rays (which can break down the structure of your hair as well as fade any colour). 

Fight humidity with serum

Rising temperatures can leave any hair type frizzy and fluffy, and a good hair serum is the fastest way to restore order. The best hair serums will work to smooth frizz while also adding shine, making your hair look as healthy as can be. What’s more, today’s best options come with a whole host of added benefits, from colour-protecting ingredients to nourishing actives and deep-hydrating extracts.

Hydrate with a hair mask

Just like hydrating yourself with a glass of water (or a cool G&T), using a hair mask puts moisture back into the hair giving it a new lease of life. It also helps weakened hair follicles to regain strength and elasticity, helping to avoid further sun damage.

Give your scalp some TLC

Just like the skin on your face, your scalp can become dry and sensitive when it is exposed to the sun. You may even find your parting becomes pink and burnt if you leave it unprotected. Like your skin, you should treat your scalp to some extra TLC in the summer, using products that specifically address your issues. For instance, applying a weekly soothing scalp mask in the summer is a great way to calm and moisturise your scalp. Daily hydrating scalp toners can also be very beneficial – a healthy scalp is key to hair growth.

Spring hair SOS: How to look after your hair

Now the weather is warming up our hair is more prone to damage from sun and humidity. If you want to promote healthy hair growth, there are a few things you can do to protect your hair:

Wear a hat or scarf to shield your hair from the sun

Use a leave-in conditioner or hair oil with SPF

Avoid too much chlorine and salt water

Massage your scalp to stimulate blood flow and oxygen to hair follicles

Use detoxifying treatments to remove buildup and rejuvenate your scalp

Wash your scalp weekly to prevent dandruff and itching

Choose a lightweight, pH-balanced shampoo to calm frizz

Avoid shampooing every day, which can dry out your hair

How do I protect my hair while I sleep?

As much as we love sleeping is, it can play havoc with your hair.

But there are a few things you can do to protect it. Here are our top tips and tricks for protecting your hair while you sleep…

Seven ways to protect your hair while sleeping:

1. Dry your hair before bed: wet hair is fragile so if it’s dry when you go to sleep it will be less likely to get damaged when you move around.

2. Avoid sleeping with your hair tied up: wearing your hair up puts it under pressure so keep it loose and carefree for perfect ‘just got out of bed’ hair in the morning.

3. Use scrunchies over hair bobbles: hair bobbles are more abrasive than scrunchies.

4. Apply some dry shampoo: this adds an extra layer of protectin when you’re moving around in your sleep.

5. Use a silk scarf: another level of protection from friction when you move positions in your sleep.

6. Apply an overnight conditioning treatment: hair needs hydration and when you sleep in a deep conditioner you not only add moisture but you also protect it from movement-related friction.

7. Splurge on a silk pillowcase: in the same way as a silk scarf, this type of pillowcase keeps hair soft and protected.

How to protect hair from chlorine

Swimming can wreak havoc on hair thanks to the drying effects of chlorine. If you want to know how to protect hair from chlorine, read on…

Tip 1: Soak hair in fresh water before a swim

Soaking hair in fresh water before you take a dip helps prevent it from absorbing too much chlorine.

Tip 2: Wear a swimming hat

Wearing a swimming cap is another great way to protect hair from absorbing chlorinated water.

Tip 3: Use a hair mask

Chlorine drys hair out and makes it brittle, so after a swim make sure you use a hydrating hair mask to restore moisture.

Tip 4: Get regular trims

What can we say, regular trims keeps hair healthy so give as a call or pop in to make your next appointment.

How to protect hair while sleeping

As wonderful as sleeping is, it can play havoc with your hair.

But there are a few things you can do to protect it. Here are our top tips and tricks for protecting your hair while you sleep…

Seven ways to protect your hair while sleeping:

• Dry your hair before bed

• Avoid sleeping with your hair tied up

• Use scrunchies over hair bobbles

• Apply some dry shampoo

• Use a silk scarf

• Apply an overnight conditioning treatment

• Splurge on a silk pillowcase

How to protect your hair in winter

Want to know how to protect your hair in winter? Central heating, cold air and styling can really play havoc with hair and cause it to be dry and brittle. But with these haircare tips you can keep your hair hydrated and healthy.

Wash your hair less often

If you want to know how to protect your hair in winter, one simple trick is to wash it less. Natural oils provide a protective layer between your scalp and hair and washing removes some of these essential oils. Bridge the gap between washes – and avoid looking greasy – by using dry shampoo.

Click here to see some of our favourites. Bonus tip: dry shampoo smells great and gives extra volume!

Go easy with the hairdryer

Going out with damp or wet hair is definitely a big no-no in winter, but using a hairdryer to dry hair can actually make it dryer. Make sure you use a low heat setting and a heat protection product before styling for gorgeous, healthy hair.

Hydrate

Invest in some moisturising shampoo and conditioner and give hair a boost with a weekly hair mask or deep conditioning treatment.

Wear a hat

Keep hair protected from the cold with a beanie. Just make sure hair is totally dry before you put the hat on or expect some funky new hairstyle when you take it off!

Photo credit Emma Kate Instagram. Emma is wearing the MND Tee hat, which raises money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Buy yours here.

Cut off split ends

Winter is often toughest of all on the ends of your hair. Get regular trims and those split ends won’t stand a chance – your hair will remain healthy and gorgeous. Book your next appointment online here or click the button below.