(ARA) -Just as it’s time to say good-bye to those knit caps you’ve been wearing all winter, along comes a host of warm weather haircare challenges. Whether you’re wrestling with problems that seem to get worse as the barometer rises, such as split ends, or other hair concerns unique to the season, a few minor tweaks to your haircare routine can make a huge difference in the condition of your strands.
Find out how to achieve and maintain gorgeous hair with these simple solutions to your most nagging haircare woes:
Mend split ends
With nearly 60 percent of women reporting to have them, split ends are a major tell-tale sign of damaged, unhealthy hair. Split ends are a year-round problem, but in the warmer months, it can be worsened by frequent heat styling used to tame humidity induced frizz. Traditionally, the only way to get rid of unsightly split ends was a trip to the salon for a trim. However, with daily styling, split ends can form quickly, making frequent haircuts an impractical and costly solution for most women.
Instead, use a reparative product like the new Nexxus Salon Hair Care ProMend line. Unlike other hydrating conditioners and hair treatments that simply mask damage, Nexxus ProMend is the first line of products to actually bind split ends back together for a fresh-cut look. The products – including a shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner, overnight treatment and styling spray – mend split ends, binding up to 92 percent back together in just one use for true, at-home repair.
Fight the frizz
Have frizzy hair? You can thank your parents for that, since the tendency for hair to curl and/or react to humidity is genetic. Fortunately, you can minimize the problem by changing how you wash, dry and manage your hair.
Start by using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner. Try a soft, absorbent towel to gently squeeze excess water out of your hair – don’t rub dry, as this can cause split ends and make frizz worse. Blow dry and style with a soft-bristled, round brush and then spritz with a frizz-fighting hairspray. Avoid touching or brushing your hair throughout the day. The more you handle hair, the more prone it becomes to static and flyways. Finally, make sure hair is properly hydrated by using a vitamin-rich deep conditioner once a week to restore moisture to parched locks. Well hydrated hair is less likely to soak up the excess moisture in the air – a leading culprit for unwanted frizz.
Sun and chlorine damage
While spending time outdoors in warm weather months, you probably know to protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UVA) rays. But did you know the sun can also damage your hair? UVA rays can leave hair dry, brittle and dull. Minimize these harmful effects by reducing the amount of hair that is exposed to direct light by styling your hair in a loose bun or braid. A hat, or scarf, is even better for extended periods outdoors. Refrain from using reflective styling products like shine sprays, hair sprays and gels as sunlight can react with these products and heat hair to scorching temperatures. Instead, use a daily leave-in conditioner to ensure your hair stays moisturized.
It’s also important to protect hair when taking a dip in the pool. While swimming, hair absorbs water and chlorine which can make hair prone to breakage. Swim caps may not be considered fashionable, but are a great way to protect strands from chlorine exposure. If you can’t bring yourself to wear one, try saturating your hair with clean water prior to jumping in the pool. Hair that’s already wet will absorb less chlorinated water.
Daily styling and exposure to constant environmental stressors can certainly take a toll on hair. Fortunately, the right mix of products and prevention can ensure your hair looks gorgeous, salon-fresh and split-end-free straight through to fall.
