Protecting the hair is never more important than when on holiday in the sun. The reason for this is that we subject it to hours of strong sunlight and exposure to chlorinated and/or salt water when we go swimming. In addition, hair can also be affected by winds and can dry out or get tangled very easily. In fact, more damage can occur to the hair on holiday compared to any other time. It is therefore crucial that every effort is employed to protect the hair from these harsh conditions.
Hair Protection from the Sun
We all hear about protecting our skin from the damaging rays of the sun, due to an increased risk of skin cancer, however we often forget that ultraviolet radiation can also have damaging effects on the hair. The radiation from the sun depletes the natural oils and quickly dries it out leaving it ‘straw-like’ and unattractive. These effects are even more serious for people with white hair as they have no protective pigment (melanin) to filter out the harmful rays. Luckily, sun damage can be reduced by following some simple guidelines.
- Keep hair covered with hats or scarfs, especially in the midday sun.
- Use sprays or gels that are specially designed to give sun protection to the hair. Apply in the morning and after each swim.
- Use ‘leave in’ conditioners after shampooing as these supply extra moisture to the hair.
- Avoid heat on the hair from hairdryers, curling tongues and hot brushes. Try to let the hair dry naturally on most days and only use heat when going out to a special event. Use soft, bendy rollers instead of heated ones whenever you can.
- If the hair is very fine or thinning, the scalp will need protecting in some way. Many people forget to apply sun-cream to this part of the body and burn the scalp, which can be very painful. Try to apply sunscreen directly to the scalp to prevent this. If you do burn slightly use aloe vera gel to soothe and heal the skin. If it is severe, seek medical advice.
Hair Protection from Wind
If you are going to the beach, then it is very likely there will be a breeze from the sea, which can be very drying. In fact any holiday that involves being outside will automatically mean exposure to winds, especially on a blustery day. The hair can obviously dry out very quickly, but strong winds can whip long hair into a tangle, which can lead to split ends and broken hair follicles.
- Long hair should be tied back or braided to prevent tangling.
- Hair should be washed and well conditioned every day during your holiday.
- If your hair does get tangled by the wind, gently untangle it using a wide toothed comb, ensuring that you start with the ends of the hair first and eventually reaching the roots.
- Ensure you pack an intensive conditioner or a split end treatment, especially if your hair is already splitting or damaged in any way. These should be used as and when needed.
- Cold winds are also damaging, so ensure the hair is treated with an intensive conditioner when going to cooler climates. If it is damp use a mousse, gel or hair spray to help keep the style and protect the hair from excess moisture.
Hair Protection from Swimming
Both salt water and the chlorine used in swimming pools can have very harsh effects on the hair. They really dry it out and make it difficult to brush or comb. Both types of water are especially unkind to coloured and permed hair. Colours can fade or in some cases actually react to the chemicals in swimming pools causing undesirable changes in hair colour. Water from the sea and swimming pools can cause a perm to drop, making it look unattractive.
- ‘Leave in’ conditioners and gels should be applied to the hair prior to swimming and reapplied after each session.
- Hair should be treated with a special shampoo that is formulated to wash out the pool chemicals and salts after swimming. This should be well rinsed and followed by an intensive conditioning treatment.
- Hair colours should be applied at least 1 week before your holiday, so that it has time to establish and you have time to condition it thoroughly before exposing it to swimming water.
- Perms should be done at least 3 weeks before a holiday to allow the hair to settle and give you time to get used to styling it. It will also give time for some intense conditioning so that you arrive on holiday with hair that is well moisturised and better prepared for chlorine and salt abuse.
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