Beautiful woman with blue eyes lies in a blue lagoon

Summer days are filled with sunshine, swimming and spending time by the ocean. Unfortunately, the excessive exposure to sun, salt water and chemicals can sometimes wreak havoc on our hair causing dryness or a change in color. I spoke toMark Ryan Salonowner and celebrity hair stylist Ryan Trygstad about how to protect your hair in the sun and ocean so that summer hair doesnt mean damaged hair.

What Impacts Hair Negatively

Chlorine

Chlorine is the worst for hair, says Trygstad. If your hair is dry or colored, chlorine attaches to it and alters it it can even make blonde hair turn green. Additionally, chlorine can give hair a dry or metallic feeling. Trygstads tip to prevent your hair from experiencing damage through chlorine? Always pre-wet your hair with bottled water, then the hair shaft is filled and wont absorb chlorine. If you cant pre-wet your hair,R&Co Sun Catcher Leave-In Conditionerwill help protect and soften, seal, and detangle your hair. If your hair sustains significant damage from chlorine during the summer, there are also crystal treatments to pull the chlorine out of your hair but this process can also be drying. When it comes to chlorine its better to prevent than to treat, so keep that in mind before you dip into the pool.

Interestingly, water can play a big role in how our hair looks and feels when we go to a new location. Trygstad told me about some interesting changes hes witnessed in his career blondes getting a more yellow tone in their hair in England or his sister in Michigan developing a more brassy and copper tone in her hair over time due to minerality levels in the water there. In Florida the mineral levels in water are so high that people often get aMalibu C Hard Water Remedybefore getting their hair colored so that the mineral content doesnt interfere with the subsequent color.

Sun

The sun can dry your hair out especially when exposed over days or weeks. A lot of people love the sunkissed look their hair gets especially when it goes naturally a few shades lighter, however in the process hair often loses moisture. There are two restorative products that Trygstad loves to repair summer hair. One isMilbons Plarmia Hair Serum Treatmentwhich features emollient oils and nurturing proteins to provide superior hydration to dull, stressed hair. This product is compatible with all types of hair and can help with everything from repair to growth. Ive had clients whove never been able to grow their hair and this does it for them, says Trygstad. Another favorite of his isUltimate Resetby Shu Uemura which is a nourishing mask containing Japanese sourced rice extract to promoting stronger, softer hair.

Hair Bands and Friction on Hair

Summer is also a time when people partake in sports like surfing, paddleboarding, and snorkeling, and those with longer locks often pull their hair into tight ponytails. Instead of using plastic or thin hairbands, Trygstad says people should opt forGoody screw elasticsorhair ring ties. You wont get a tension break with these hair ties, he says. Also, braids are often a gentler alternative to ponytails which can lead to nice hair texture later in the evening.

Trygstad also recommends gently combing wet hair with the addition of a detangler or leave-in conditioner and a wide comb. People wonder why their ponytail keeps getting thinner its because they are ripping their hair with a brush when its wet, says Trygstad.

With a little planning ahead, the right products and gentleness on your hair, you can prevent the damage that often comes with summer travel and go through the season with healthy, beautiful hair.

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Summer Travels: How To Protect Your Hair In The Sun, Ocean And Pool - Forbes