How to protect your hair from chlorine and the sun on vacation
Why does chlorine and the sun damage hair?
Beach, swimming, tanning, lounging and eating: For many people, this is the epitome of vacation. You come back refreshed, have refueled a lot of energy and sun and maybe also gained 2 kilos from too much good food.
But no matter how relaxed and brown you are, the holiday was anything but a blessing for your hair. Due to the UV radiation of the sun, the hair loses its elasticity, becomes brittle and porous, chlorine and salt water attack it even more. With the right precautionary measures, however, you can prevent hair damage: uncomplicated and worthwhile.
Tips and tricks on how to protect your hair from chlorine and the sun on vacation
- Before going into the sea or pool, dampen your hair with water from the beach or pool shower. The already wet hair can then no longer absorb so much chlorine that it is damaged.
- Blonde dyed or tinted hair can take on a green tint from chlorinated water. If this happens to you, rinse your hair with an aspirin pill dissolved in water after swimming. This pulls the green tint out of the hair again.
- Wear a sun hat, a cap or a nice scarf, it protects your hair and scalp and is fashionable at the same time. It is particularly important for bald people to cover their scalp, as the skin there is very sensitive and burns easily.
Hair protectant in summer
- There are special scalp sprays for the parting of the head, at least a sun protection factor of 20 should be used here.
- There are sun protection sprays for the hair, which are recommended for any lengthy sunbathing because they protect the hair from UV radiation and keep it supple.
- If you go to the hairdresser before you go on holiday, remember that the sun will lighten your hair. So choose a shade darker than usual when coloring or toning.
- Wash your hair with warm, not too hot water and a moisture-regulating shampoo with ingredients such as panthenol, jojoba or keratin, especially after going to the beach or swimming in the pool.
Diet for healthy hair
Hair needs a lot of moisture in summer. So eat lots of fruit. This is not only healthy, but also contains vitamins A and B, which are important for the hair structure.
Avoid the sun during the times when it shines most (11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.). Not only your hair, but also your skin will thank you. If you tend to wear your hair in a ponytail when you go to the beach or swim, don’t always wear the hair tie in the same spot. There, the hair quickly becomes brittle, which is further intensified by the sun’s rays. Feel free to wear your hair loose or braid it in a ponytail. The hair can rest and you look great on the beach.