Planning a getaway for this summer?
If you’ve been looking around for the most popular destinations among Americans for 2018, know that the Lonely Planet has an interesting list for you. And, the most favored location is the Caribbean with a special focus on St Lucia and Antigua, Turks and Caicos, and Jamaica. Cancun in Mexico also follows close behind.
In short, Americans would love to go for a beach vacation where there’s lots of sun, superb beaches, soft sands, and sparkling blue waters. While you’re all set packing for your trip with the sunglasses, pretty hats, sarongs, cute swimwear, suntan lotions, and the works, don’t forget hair care essentials. Spending time in a location that your hair isn’t used to can turn it into a disaster.
Read ahead to understand how to care for your tresses so you have gorgeous hair all through the trip.
1. Prepare for the Frizz that Comes with the Humidity
Seaside towns invariably have high levels of humidity. And, given that hair absorbs moisture quickly, chances are that you could develop a free of cost Afro. But, with the right tactics, you can get your hair to behave so you look fabulous in every one of your beach vacation photographs on FB and Instagram. Like the experts tell you, take care not to rub your hair vigorously after a shower. Use a soft towel to gently pat dry.
Here are some more hair care tips for your beach vacation. When blow drying your hair, don’t let it fly in all the different directions. Instead use a comb to settle the tresses in place. One of the best products to have in your arsenal of hair care essentials is the anti frizz brush. This amazing product is made with natural boar bristles that add to the natural oils and help flatten the cuticles so your hair remains smooth. Also, considering applying a few drops of a natural oil like olive oil or argan oil on the still damp locks after you shampoo. This oil will act as a barrier and prevent your hair from absorbing excessive moisture.
2. Prevent the Saltwater from Damaging Your Hair
Saltwater is great for your skin as long as you stay protected with lots of sunscreen. But, you may want to watch out for the damage it can cause to hair. Seawater with its osmotic nature can strip away the moisture leaving your strands dehydrated, dry, brittle, and prone to breakage, especially if you’ve colored your hair.
Like Rene Fris, hair stylist to celebrities at Salon CK reveals to Huffington Post, “The hair becomes dull, tangled, rough feeling and can be hard to comb or brush out. If you have color in your hair, salt water damage would give it a very hard texture.”
The solution? Make sure you nourish your tresses with adequate amounts of leave in conditioners. Wear a swimming cap when going into the water to protect your hair and look for products that you can use to give the strands a shield.
3. Prevent Damage from the Chlorine in Swimming Pool Water
Aside from spending lots of time on the sands on your beach vacation, you’ll probably lounge beside the hotel swimming pool too. While the salt-free water of the pool is safe for your hair, the chlorine content isn’t. Like saltwater, chlorine can also strip the natural oils from the scalp and leave hair dry and lifeless. To prevent that from happening, wet your hair completely in a shower before stepping into the pool. Alternatively, you can opt for leave in products that prevent the chlorine from coming into contact with the strands.
Choose silicone-based conditioners and hair serums. And, if you prefer natural products, coat your hair with coconut oil or castor oil before entering the pool. After getting out of the pool, rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar to get rid of the toxins and then shampoo your hair normally. Of course, using a swimming cap is the best solution.
4. Protect Your Hair and Scalp from the Sun
When you’re packing for your beach vacation, one of the first things to go into your bag is sunscreen for your facial and body skin. But, stop a minute and think about what the sun is going to do to your hair. The folks at MindBodyGreen warn about UV radiation and how it can cause serious damage to the scalp and hair follicles. The sun’s harmful UV rays can result in the blood vessels in the scalp getting inflamed. In response, they produce a compound called superoxide. This substance can signal the hair follicles to stop growing. The result? Hair loss! Add to that is the stripping of natural scalp oils leading to dryness and weakened tresses.
Add some broad spectrum sunscreen cream to your shopping list when you’re preparing for that beach vacation. Look for products that are specifically designed for hair care. And, be sure to add wide brimmed sun that can protect both your skin and hair from the UV rays of the sun.
Post Beach Vacation Care for Your Hair
Use these four practical tips on your beach vacation this summer and you won’t have to worry about causing irreparable damage to your hair. Once you’re back home, nourish your hair with deep conditioning and hair masks made of coconut oil, avocados, eggs, and olive oil. Leave on for about 30 minutes and wash off. Just like you take the time to detan and care for your skin, do give your hair a little TLC and it will thank you with a gorgeous shine.
Go ahead and enjoy your holiday in the sun.