How to keep your hair healthy on holiday
We've rounded up some of the best tips for keeping your hair looking great
CELEBS and models would have us believe the secret to beach-perfect hair is to simply leave it to do its own thing - but anyone who's ever been on holiday knows that's just not how it works.
Exposing your hair to the sun, sand and sea can cause damage that lasts long after your tan fades - so we've rounded up some of the best tips for keeping your hair looking great on holiday.
Save the lemon juice for your drinks
Spraying your hair with a mixture of lemon juice and water is a popular tip among sun-worshippers - as it speeds up natural hair-lightening from the sun. However, it can do more harm than good, as the acidic nature of the lemon juice means it can cause damage to the hair shafts, creating an unpleasant straw-like texture.
Hats, hats, hats
The most obvious way to protect your hair from the sun is to cover it up - and a stylish wide-brimmed hat can help do just that. But it's advisable to also consider a swimming cap. While probably not the most stylish addition to your holiday wardrobe, the presence of copper, added to swimming pools to combat algae, can cause light-coloured hair to turn green - so it really isn't worth the risk.
Prepare your hair
Even if your hair is dark enough to be safe from unwanted colour changes, the chemicals in swimming pools can still cause damage - but there's a super simple solution to combat their unsightly effects. By simply wetting your hair before going for a dip, your locks are less likely to absorb water from the pool - as the hair is already saturated, like a sponge.
For even more protection, consider applying an intensive conditioner to your wet hair, such as Dove's Intensive Repair Conditioner (£3.99/180ml), before hitting the beach, to repair damaged hair and provide further protection from the drying effects of sun, sand and the sea.
Try SPF hair spray
Sunburn hurts at the best of times - but a sunburned scalp is a whole other level of ouch. Obviously slapping sun cream into your parting isn't an option - but scalp protector sprays such as Malibu SPF15 Scalp Protector (£3.49/50ml) are a lightweight, non-greasy solution to one of summer's most painful problems.
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Wear your hair up
Not everyone is a fan of walking around with dripping wet hair - and let's face it, for plenty of us leaving our hair to dry naturally after a swim is just asking for trouble.
Wearing your hair up at the beach can help protect your hair - especially if you wear in a twisted bun style that leaves the ends of your hair, which are the most vulnerable to damage, tucked away.
However, be aware that tight elastic hair ties and bobbles can cause more harm than good, as they may cause breakage.
Rinse out sea water
It's tempting to let your hair dry naturally after a swim in the ocean in an attempt to achieve natural, tousled waves. But the salt sprays we see in shops often contain additional ingredients, such as coconut and argan oil, to help nourish hair - so it's best to rinse hair straight after going in the sea, as the salt can be drying. After rinsing, immediately combing with a wide-toothed comb and de-tangling spray, if necessary, helps prevent breaking the hair.
Clarifying shampoo
The combination of conditioning products, salt, chemicals and even sand in your hair can lead to build up - leaving your locks dull and your scalp irritated. So, it's worth investing in a clarifying shampoo, such as TRESemmé Cleanse & Renew Deep Cleansing Shampoo (£3.68/500ml) to strip away oils, dirt and product. By unclogging the hair follicles, your hair will be able to absorb new nutrients - but don't use it too regularly, as that can lead to dryness.
Leave the heat at home
With your hair being exposed to so much heat from the sun, the last thing it needs is the blow dryer or straighteners too.
If you need to dry your hair, use a low heat setting or hold the dryer away from your head - and if it feels hot on your scalp, it's too hot for your hair.