Summertime Hair & Skincare, Part II: Water Damage

Last week, we talked about the dangers posed by the hot summer sun.

Now, let’s discuss the effects of freshwater, salt water and chlorine.

Remember how we just talked about how silicones are very hard to break down and you need a strong surfactant to do so? This is why it is important to have a silicone-based UVA/UVB protectant in your hair before going swimming in any kind of water.

With that being said, salt water and chlorine are strong corrosives, meaning they will still strip moisture and break down keratin. So your protectant needs to be reapplied every couple of hours if you’re letting your tresses in the water. Once water absorbs into the hair, it intensifies the sun’s rays and damage. This goes for the skin too!

Pro Tips

Scrub ONLY Conditioner into your scalp and through your ends after swimming, this will neutralize the pH and break down any salt or chlorine that could cause further damage. ONLY Conditioner will also rehydrate the hair and skin, keeping them healthy and shiny.

(DO NOT rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar, it has a very low pH (very acidic 2.5-3) and can actually cause damage to the follicle.)

Over time, any type of water will wear away the keratin in the hair, lightening it and wearing away the cells. This is why your hair gets really tangled and dry after swimming. If you spend a lot of time in the water or sun — I’m talking about lifeguards, swimmers, anyone who works primarily outdoors — you should definitely wear a swim cap or a hat that provides adequate protection of your scalp, covering your ears.

The good news is that we are currently working on a heat protectant spray and cream, along with a refreshing spray for after swimming or post bed-head. Stay tuned!

XOXO,

Nina