If you read our blog last week, you know the summer can be an especially difficult season for our hair.  Unfortunately, the hair strand has limited ability to protect itself or heal itself from damage. Once a hair strand leaves the area of the follicle, it no longer gets further nourishment. There is no blood supply or blood vessels to bring liquid to the strand and during the summer, many of our activities can really dry out or damage the hair.  It is incumbent on us to repair it from any damage it goes through.  During the summertime, that means adding moisture back to our hair.  It is important to remember that the type of damage that occurs to our hair during the summer does not typically lead to hair loss, but it can lead to dry and brittle hair that can be more susceptible to breakage and more difficult to style.

Let’s take a look at 5 ways to keep your hair healthy this summer.

1. Become best friends with a hydrating serum and healthy oils for the hair.  The sun, chlorine, and salt water all dry your hair and scalp and can weaken the hair.  Using a hydrating serum, especially one with coconut oil or argan oil, will help protect the hair.  These can be used preventatively, like under a swim cap or hat, or after you have rinsed off from a fun summer day.  The Medi Tresse Hydrating Serum is a great option as it is enriched with Argan oil and is safe for colored, straightened, and chemically treated hair.
2. Limit the use of hot flat irons, hot rollers, and hair lightening products. These styling techniques can damage the keratin in our hair, which allows the sun and heat to penetrate the hair more easily and making it more fragile.
3. Use a deep conditioner treatment after swimming in the ocean or pool.  Salt water and chlorine can have similar drying effects, but for different reasons.  The excess salt in salt water will pull moisture from the hair, while the chlorine will remove natural oils.  Using a deep conditioner, and leaving it in overnight, will help add moisture back into the hair.  The Medi Tresse Keratin Deep Conditioner is great for all hair types and safe for colored, straightened, and chemically treated hair.
4. Use a big hat with Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF). A big hat not only will protect your face, neck, and scalp from harmful ultraviolet rays, but it will protect your hair.  Sun damaged hair looks dry and is often unmanageable and won’t hold a curl or style.  Woven hats are better than straw hats.
5. Try a DIY Hair Mask. Hair masks are becoming more popular and you don’t need to buy a fancy one at the store. You can DIY one at home with warm honey and buttermilk to help soothe the hair and scalp.

How to make your at home DIY hair mask:

Ingredients: 3 tablespoons of buttermilk, 1 egg, 1 banana, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

Add all ingredients in a blender and blend until you get a smooth texture.

Apply this smooth hair mask all over the hair and scalp and wrap it with a plastic shower cap.

Keep it on for 20 minutes.

Shampoo as usual.

When that hot summer breeze is blowing through your hair, use these tips to make sure it is healthy hair blowing in the wind!

Posted by Dr. Mary Wendel