How To Protect Hair from the Sun Bethesda MD

There is nothing like being out in the hot sun...to wreck your hair. Whether you are spending a relaxing day at the beach, out in the garden, or playing with your kids, the sun can really do a job on your hair. This is known as oxidization, and it is the same process that put those nice blonde highlights in your hair as a teenager. However, what it is really doing is damage to your hair - the reason your hair got lighter is that the hair shaft was damaged and couldn't hold its original pigment. Add to that chemical processes like perming and coloring, as well as styling processes like flat-ironing and blow-drying, and an afternoon in the sun can ruin the great hair you've worked (and paid) so dearly for. But you certainly don't need to hide in the house to keep your great hair. Follow these steps to protect your hair from the sun:

1. Get a good hat. Seems simple, but it's your best line of defense in protecting your hair. If you can put your hair up and truly cover all of it with the hat, all the better. If you are looking to protect your skin as well, get a wide-brimmed hat to shade your face.
   
2. Put conditioner in your hair as a barrier. You can either choose a standard deep conditioner, or go for a truly deep conditioning treatment. Some women, especially in Europe, use coconut oil - a thick, deeply hydrating oil - to slick back their hair when they are going to be in the sun. Other oils to try are jojoba oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, even olive oil. You can find most of these in a big container at your grocery store pretty inexpensively, with the exception of jojoba oil, which may cost a bit more but is worth it. You can even try mixing a few oils together. If you have a favorite deep conditioner or hot oil treatment, look for the oils in that, and you will get a sense of where to start. The heat from the sun will drive the oils deep into your hair shaft. While it won't protect your hair from all damage, it is so conditioning that it repairs your hair before it can get too straw-like....

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Author: D M