Prepare Your Hair For Summer

Get Set For Summer

Summer Hair Care Advice From Simone Thomas Hair Salon in Westbourne

Summer is well and truly here and while we all enjoy long lazy days in the sunshine, they can wreak havoc on our hair!

We know that we need to protect our skin from the sun, but your locks can also suffer, not only from UV exposure, but also from chlorine in swimming pools plus salty sea water.  This can leave your hair dry, lack lustre and susceptible to breakage.  Read on to see our top tips for keeping your hair in the best possible condition over the summer months.  We also recommend speaking to your stylist at our Westbourne salon who will be happy to advise you on the best hair care products to protect your hair this summer.

Choose Professional Hair Care Products to Protect Your Hair’s Health

During the summer, and especially while we’re on holiday, we often need to wash our hair more frequently than usual.  This can be due to sweat, sun protection products or water when we’ve been swimming.  All this washing can result in greasy, heavy hair as your strands over compensate for the effects of so much washing and conditioning.  On the other hand, many shampoos contain harsh chemicals which can deplete moisture and lead to split ends and breakage.

To avoid these problems, we recommend choosing a range such as Davines.  These gentle and effective nature based products cleanse your hair without stripping away moisture or causing brittleness.  We stock a full range of products, including clarifying shampoo such as SOLU which will remove product residue, leaving your hair and scalp feeling revitalised.

There’s no need to be concerned about carrying large heavy bottles of your favourite products on holiday with you as we offer a wide range of travel sizes too.

Avoid Summer Frizz With A Keratin Treatment

Summer heat and humidity is notorious for causing hair to frizz.  If you’re battling with this problem, never fear, we’re here to help.

 We recommend trying a keratin treatment  at our Bournemouth salon.  A keratin treatment works on the inside and on the outside of your individual strands of hair.  It repairs the hair fibre then applies a protective film of keratin on the hair, to keep it safe from further damage.  The result is smoother, softer hair which is far easier to manage.   

Our Lisse Therapy keratin treatments don’t leave you with poker straight hair (unless that’s what you want!)  They are suitable for all hair types including curls and coils.  

We also stock Davines products and treatments which will help to control summer frizz.   We recommend Love shampoo which is ideal for unruly hair, available via our online shop.  

Protect Your Hair From The Sun’s UV Rays

Prolonged exposure to the sun is not only harmful to your skin, including your scalp.  UVA and UVB rays can damage the hair’s cuticle, which is the protective layer on the outside of each strand.  Some experts say that damage can start to occur after only eight minutes of sun exposure, so it’s not surprising that after a day out at the beach or by the pool your hair might be noticeably more brittle, dull and dry.

Make sure you pack a hat or scarf to cover your head when you’re going somewhere sunny.  To provide a full protection for your hair, it also advisable to use products that act as a barrier against harmful UV rays.  These products also hydrate your hair, leaving it soft and manageable.  We recommend the Davines SU range, available in salon and via our online shop.  This includes SU Hair Milk, a leave-in protective treatment which will not weigh the hair down.  

The sun’s rays can fade your hair colour. Using a product such as SU Hair Milk with both UVA and UVB filters will help to maintain your colour’s vibrancy.  A further tip is to rinse your hair in cold water at the end of your wash and condition.  This helps to seal the hair cuticles, thus reducing colour fade.

Protect Your Hair Against Chlorine

Taking a dip in the pool is a great way to refresh, relax and get some exercise at any time of year, particularly during the summer months.  The chlorine which keeps the pool safe and clean poses a major hazard for the condition of your hair however.  It can strip your hair of its natural sebum, drying it out and leaving it frizzy.  This can ultimately lead to hair brittleness and breakage.  If you have blonde hair you might want to be particularly cautious when swimming in a pool as it can result in your hair turning green!  This is partially due to the chlorine, but also also the copper in the pool water.  When it bonds with the chlorine it forms a film that can stick to the proteins in your hair, giving it a green tinge.

Chlorine can also damage the internal structure of your hair, reacting with the keratin within the strands and weakening the hair’s structural integrity.  It can also strip your hair colour and cause your hair to become more reactive to UV rays, compounding the problem!

So we’ve established that chlorine is bad news for hair, but what can you do?  Thankfully there are several simple steps you can take to protect your hair against chlorine:

• Soak your hair in fresh water before swimming.  This makes it less absorbent when you dive in.
• Use a swimming cap.
• Create an oil barrier.  Try using nourishing coconut or olive oil.
• Apply conditioner before swimming.
• After swimming, use a clarifying shampoo such as SOLU from Davines.
• Dry your hair gently and use a leave in conditioner or mask.

Replenish Your Hair’s Moisture

We know how important it is to drink plenty of water to stay fit and healthy, particularly when it’s hot and sunny.   Similarly our hair requires plenty of hydration to stay healthy and strong when subjected to the stress summer can bring.

To keep your hair healthy and resilient from the inside, make sure you drink plenty of water.  You could also consider taking a hair health supplement, such as Biotin Brilliance from Simone Thomas Wellness.  It will give your skin’s radiance a great boost too!

Applying after-sun treatments to your hair is another way to help restore moisture and vitality to your locks. It also offers soothing relief and replenishment after sun exposure.  Speak to your Simone Thomas stylist about the best products to use.

We also recommend taking a Davines treatment away with you on holiday.  They come in convenient sachets and will keep your hair looking lush and strong while you enjoy your holidays.

Book Your Post Holiday Appointment Before You Go!

We know what it’s like when you return from holiday – mountains of washing, back to work…. it’s so easy to feel down and forget to look after yourself and your hair!  Book your post holiday appointment at our Westbourne salon before you go, so we can tidy up your hair and restore it’s colour and condition.  Call us on 01202 760003
or book online using the tab at the side of the page.