2011 Summer Hair Care Product Tips

Introduction

Nioxin Scalp Guard

Summer hair care tips have remained static over the past 10 years. What has changed for 2011 versus past years is the type of newly formulated protective hair products available for sun hair exposure.

Many of the most highly respected hair care companies such as Phyto, Rene Furterer, JF Lazartique, Leonor Greyl, Nioxin, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Pureology and similar prestige lines have recognized that the hair and scalp must be protected from the assault of summer sun, sand, surf and wind in a more aggressive fashion.

As a result existing hair products are constantly being reformulated and improved to offer bulletproof protection from Summer sun, spiraling hot temperatures and related humidity which can damage your hair's cuticle resulting in dry, drab, split, brittle or frizzy hair and ragged ends.

Other changes for 2011 summer hair care include updates to some of the following traditional Summer hair care tips:

Nioxin Intensive Therapy Clarifying Cleanser

1. Minimize or eliminate use of clarifying shampoo

In the past many hair care experts suggested bi-weekly use of deep cleansing products to remove chlorine, product built up and other summer related toxins.

This is no longer true for 2011. Why? Clarifying products can be extremely drying to tresses which may already be dry to sun, surf, sand or wind exposure. The 2011 thinking is to minimize hair exposure to chlorine or similar hair chemicals rather than clarifying them out.

The best way to minimize pool chemical contamination is to pre-wet pool bound hair with distilled or spring water, wear a water tight cap and rinse hair immediately upon exiting the pool.

2. Opt for regular pre-poo conditioning

Determine the best pre-poo conditioning treatment for your strands and follow a religious regime. Whether your focus is split ends, fading color or overall moisture deprivation there's a pre-poo conditioner for you.

Leonor Greyl Pre-Poo Conditioning Treatment

Pre-poo conditioning treatments have been around for many years, but only in the past few years have they become more important than every before.

3. Give your tresses a summer shampoo break

Shampoo less often to allow tresses to absorb natural oils. Or switch to more gentle cleansing methods which won't dry out sun exposed strands. Opt for Conditioner Only (CO) or Diluted Shampoo (DS) washes.

Hair needs to be treated more gently during the summer.

Consider switching to a more moisturizing and overall gentle shampoo formulas like Phytonectar, Phytojoba or similar.

4. Amp up moisturizing from the inside out

While it's important to amp up your moisturizing and conditioning duties during summer months, remember to keep your roots and hair hydrated from the inside out.

Drink plenty of liquids to keep roots and strands flush with fluids. Water will also keep your skin soft and plump.

Rene Furterer After Sun Repair Mask

While it's tempting to drink ice cold alcoholic drinks keep in mind that they can dehydrate skin and strands. Water is always the best choice for your tresses.

5. Perform rinse out or deep conditioner

When you cleanse be sure to apply a rinse-out conditioner appropriate for your hair, type, texture and current condition. Select the type of conditioner based on your hair's type, texture, current condition and summertime needs.

Hair regularly exposed to the sun needs regular deep conditioning treatments and moisture replenishment. Utilize hair repair products such as Phytokarite Intensive Treatment, Phytocitrus Mask, Rene Furterer After Sun Repair Mask or similar.

For extra conditioning treatment apply deep conditioner to tresses (damp or dry) then wrap in plastic wrap or a shower cap. Allow conditioner to soak into damaged hair sections for an extended period or overnight for extra repair and re-moisturizing benefits.

6. Cool it down

Phyto Leave-in Conditioner

When possible, finish the cleansing/conditioning process with a cool to cold rinse to seal the hair cuticle and impart natural shimmer.

7. Utilize leave-in conditioners

Leave-in conditioners or moisturizing styling products will protect your strands from environmental and solar damage. It can also help repel pool chemical absorption.

After towel blotting tresses apply a drop or two of a great leave-in product, like Phyto's #7 or Phyto #9, to the palms of your hands. Rub hands together and then distribute leave-in products completely through your strands.

Keep in mind some hair care products designed to add shine, may only add shimmer, but not necessarily add moisture.

Be sure to read all ingredients on the hair product labels to understand what benefits the product is designed to provide to your strands.

8. Add heat protection to styling cocktail

PhytoPlage

Add a thermal, sun or similar protectant spray to your styling cocktail Not only will a good heat protectant block heat styling damage, it will help block solar rays. In some cases a good heat protection spray can also minimize absorption of pool or related chemicals.

9. Utilize SPF rich sun care products

If you don't have specific leave-in or protective sun care products for your hair and scalp slather a regular SPF product on your tresses. Make sure to concentrate the product onto your scalp as well. Although not a perfect solution, it will help save your tresses from major sun damage.

10. Back off heated hair styling tools

If you normally use hot styling tools (blow dryers, hot irons, rollers), give your hair a rest during summer months. Air dry whenever possible or opt for easy chic styles.

Braid damp tresses waves which create natural waves as the hair air dries. Play with half up/half down styles or Boho side braids.

If you're attached to your blow dryer and can't give it up, use a leave- in conditioner designed to protect your hair against dryer heat. When you do blow dry, dry on high heat.

HairTopia Beautiful Hair Oil

Why? It's actually much better to dry with high heat because you expose your hair to heat for a shorter period of time than you would if you used medium heat.

11. Dump the chemicals

During summer months when hair tends to be moisture deprived, limit use of hair chemicals (bleach, hair color, relaxers, chemical straighteners) as much as possible.

Depending on your hair type, texture and condition you may wish to consider avoiding hair care products which contain known ingredients (some forms of alcohol) which may be drying to some type, textures or condition of hair.

Consider switching to hair care products which are as natural as possible.

12. Treat fragile ends with TLC

Jojoba oil applied to the ends of your strands will help soften them. Jojoba oil works wonders on frizzy hair. Jojoba oil can also be utilized as a pre-shampoo treatment or applied to dry strands for protection throughout the day.

After Sun Repair Mask

Prevent static electricity from occurring which is more prevalent when you shampoo during summer months. Keep static at bay during hot months by applying a rinse out or leave-in hair conditioners which instantly adds back moisture and shine.

13. Be religious about trims

Be religious about your trims. Since summer sun can rob moisture from your tresses, make sure you have your ends trimmed every 4-6 weeks during the summer months. When your ends are fizzy, its a sure sign that they are either damaged, split or both.

Hair can get sunburnt just like the scalp. The only way to deal with severely burnt hair is by trimming the damaged sections off. Prevention is the safest plan. Frizzy hair is often the result of too much sun time.

14. Block frizz

Rene Furterer Karite Deep Conditioning Formula

When the summer heat is hottest contain potential frizz by wearing hair up in a knot, bun or braids. Or combine a cute side braid with a chic cap or hat to keep tresses covered.

Depending on your hair type, texture and condition you may be also be able to use shine products as a quick fix to control frizzies. Remember that a little bit goes a long way.

15. When in doubt always cover up

When you find yourself out in the sun, the beach or at the pool without pre-planning, reach for a 2010 version of a summer hat to cover delicate strands. Bandanas and head wraps are always a hot option.

With all the sizzling fashion options now available you can opt for a range of sassy summer head wear. Just remember to buy a head covering which allows for proper air circulation and blood flow.

got2b Glossy Shine Serum

Summary

Summer hair care tips have remained similar over the past ten years, but for 2010 there are hot new solar hair care products available.

Prevention is always the best action for your tresses. Take care of your hair during the summer and you won't have to spend the Fall and Winter working to repair your hair.

Social Media Network Information

Please follow me on Twitter at: http://Twitter.com/HairBoutique. I look forward to meeting new people from all walks of Twitter and learning from their Tweets. Visit us at Hairboutique.com located at: http://www.HairBoutique.com, on Facebook, MySpace and YouTube.

Thank you for visiting us at The HairBoutique Blog and for leaving your comments. They are very much appreciated. We apologize in advance but must remove any direct advertisements or solicitations.

- Revised Publication Date: 01/23/11

If you want to talk more about this or other hair care articles on HairBoutique.com or anywhere else, please post a message on HairBoutique.com's Hair Talk Forums.

Social Media Network Information

Please follow us on Twitter at: https://Twitter.com/HairBoutique. I look forward to meeting new people from all walks of Twitter and learning from their Tweets.