It is Dr. Angela here and it’s hard to believe it’s May and it already feels like summer in Houston! Get out your sunscreen because it’s going to get hot this year! So, we know to get our combo sunscreen/sunblock ready, but what about our hair?
Keep in mind that the heat can dry the hair, even in humid climates like Houston. Plan your chemical treatments before and after the summer as much as possible. Granted, no one is walking around with our grays not covered in the summer, but I try to go as long as I can between colors and just color the part that I have to. Embrace your naturally wavy or curly hair as the “beachy” look in the summer to avoid hair dryers and curling irons.
Shampoo at appropriate intervals for your hair (click here to see previous blog post). You can go 2-3 days without shampooing, but not washing after your scalp has an oily feel can also be bad for your hair. Your natural oils can be protective from the sun, salt water and chlorine. So, avoid washing your hair right before you swim. Retain those oils, then wash after to remove any of the chemicals from the pool. Some shampoos can be drying. So, a small amount of shampoo and focus on the scalp rather than the hair. The ingredient sodium lauryl sulfate produces lather, but can be very irritating to your scalp. I would avoid shampoos with this ingredient in general and particularly in the summer when your scalp may be more sensitive. I recommend Oribe Ultra Gentle because it is sulfate free, highly moisturizing (yet weightless) and offers sun protection. Also, conditioner is important in the hot months. Use a conditioner that works with your hair type. I have very dry hair and love Nexxus Humectress. It moisturizes without weighing it down.
Protect not only your scalp, but your hair from the sun (Aveda Protective Hair Veil). If you have thick hair, it does block the UVA and UVB rays, but if your hair is thin always wear sunscreen to protect your scalp (Nioxin Scalp Treatment) that is a common place that people forget and can have skin cancer. Select products with protective ingredients because your hair can be damaged by the sun’s rays, just like your skin can. UVA, UVB and infrared rays can make your hair more brittle, not hold color as well and less shiny. Products with silicone have been shown to protect the hair from the sun. Leave in conditioners with sun protection are great to put on your hair right before you go to the pool or beach to protect from drying, chemicals, salt and the sun. That way you have lush, shiny hair all year round!