| Summer Hair Doldrums: Fast Fix Ideas |
| Karen Marie Shelton |
| Date: 7/3/2002, 5/2/2006 |
Introduction
The July 4th weekend signals that
Summer is half over. Although sun-bleached, frazzled hair is
still regarded by many as the ultimate banner ad for fun in the sun,
it is definitely not a healthy look.
It is a proven fact that the
natural process of sun-lightened hair is a lot more damaging than
having it done at the salon. If you hair has already undergone
chemical coloring or processing additional sun exposure will add
damage that is probably irreversible in the short term.
If you have been hanging in the
sun, you may have some new sun-related damage to your hair and
skin. If your skin is peeling and your hair looks faded or feels
dry and scrunchy, don't despair, there are tricks that can help you to
easily recover from hair or beauty problems.
Dry
& Damaged Locks
 While
it is always best to protect your hair by applying serums, sprays or
gels containing sun protection during the day, be sure to replenish
moisture with extra-nourishing shampoo and conditioners created for
sun parched hair that has been spending time in the sun.
Saturate frazzled dry as a gulch
hair with a product
line designed to help your hair recover from sun and surf
dryness. Or dig out your favorite deep
conditioning treatment or moisture masks
for instant
moisture replenishment and sun damage reversal. Don't forget
to use a more moisturizing shampoo and always finish with a cool/cold
water blast to lock in added moisture.
Although you should always
shampoo out pool or similar chemicals from your hair as soon as
possible, when you are not exposed to similar contaminants, consider
giving your hair a rest from a daily shampoo schedule.
If you prefer home treatments try
the following options:
1. Take two or three
Vitamin E or Flaxseed oil capsules (depending on the thickness and
length of your hair) and prick carefully with a straight pin.
Squeeze the contents of the capsules into 1/4th to 1/2 cup of your
favorite rinse-out conditioner. After your regular shampoo has
been completely rinsed out of your hair apply this special
mixture.
Work the new mixture through your
hair from the tops of your ears to the ends. Be careful not to
saturate the mixture near your roots and focus the mixture on your
most damaged sections. Use a wide toothed
comb or pick and carefully comb the mixture through your hair.
Leave the mixture on your hair
for 10-20 minutes and then rinse with warm water. Some of the oil will
remain on your hair to help re-moisturize it and protect if from
additional sun. If possible, let your hair air dry for extra
benefits.
2. Take a few drops of
jojoba oil and massage into the clean palms of your hands.
Massage the oil through the damaged sections of your hair.
Concentrate some oil on the ends. Use a wide-toothed comb or
pick to distribute the oil through your ends. Pin your hair up,
braid it, put it into a low slung ponytail or slick it back. Allow the oil to remain on your hair all day
for extra moisturizing and protection.
3. Make a Sesame Sun Oil
for your hair and skin. Sesame offers a small dose of UV
protection so you if you burn easily, you may want to add your
sunscreen on top of the sesame hair and skin mixture. To make
the oil follow these instructions:
Mix 2 1/2 tablespoons of high
quality sesame oil with 2 1/2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Add 4
teaspoons of grapeseed oil, 5 drops of lavender essential oil, 40
drops of petitgrain or lime.
Apply the oil through your hair
and your skin. Use a wide-toothed comb or
pick to distribute the oil through your ends. Pin your hair up,
braid it, put it into a low slung ponytail
or slick it back. Allow the oil to remain on your hair all day
for extra moisturizing and protection.
Halt
Future Damage
If your hair appears to be
suffering from extra dryness or other summer related hair problems,
make a conscious decision to opt for wearing a hat for the rest of the
summer. A hair with a good brim is the perfect choice especially
if it is comfortable and provides extra coverage from the rays of the
sun. Not only will it protect your hair but it will help keep
sunburnt skin and new skin damage at bay.
Sunburnt
Scalps
While it is always best to
prevent a burnt scalp by using sunscreen on delicate exposed areas,
once you have a burn it is just as important to get some instant
relief. Pour a glass of ice cold full-fat milk. Dip cotton
balls into the milk and dab on the burnt scalp parts. Do this
repeatedly until your scalp stops burning. The fat in the milk
will naturally moisturize and soothe the sting.
You can also apply this same
mixture to burnt faces and bodies. It is very gentle and does
not contain any damaging chemicals.
Once your scalp starts to peel or
scale you can dab a small amount of baby oil on the burnt
sections. This will help to gently remove the peeling without
damaging the skin. When your scalp is burnt it is more sensitive
to chemicals and other hair care products. If you must wash your
hair during the first days of the burns, avoid applying shampoo near
the raw areas. Wash only the lengths and ends of your
hair. Use a cool water to shampoo and rinse and hot or warm
water may irritate the burn.
Fading
Hair Color
 Nothing
will strip your beautiful hair color faster than sun, sand, salt and
pool chemicals. It is a known fact that the UV rays from the sun
can fade or alter the color of both natural and treat hair. Redheads
will find themselves fading the fastest.
While it is always best to take preventive
action, there are ways to bring back your sparkle. You can use
some of the fabulous color enhancing shampoos currently on the market
from Mine,
ARTec, Aveda
or Sexy
Hair Concepts.
If you prefer the natural route you can make an herbal tea rinse at home.
Use chamomile or lemon teas for
blonde hair, strong black tea for brunette or black hair and red teas
fro red hair. Brew one cup of tea using a tea bag or loose
tea. Allow the tea to cool. Use a spray bottle and mist
into pre-dampened hair. If you prefer you can use cotton balls
and dip them into the tea and then apply to your hair. Leave the
tea on your hair for 30 minutes and then shampoo.
Split
Ends
Whether you have been having too
much fun to stop and focus on your ends or you haven't had time to zip
by and see your stylist, make sure that you keep the splittage down to
a mild case. Although you can't glue a split end back together,
you can use a good leave-in conditioner to help the ends from
splitting further. If your ends are getting creepy or split, be
sure that a leave-in conditioner is added to your must have list for
your current hair care regime.
Summary
The mid-point of summer is a
great time to stop and access your hair and skin. Although
prevention is always the best medicine, never fear, there is always
ways to repair the damage so that your hair lives for yet another
day. |