If
you are one of those hard-working students about to head off to
warmer climes to take a little pressure off for Spring Break...we've
got some tips for you below.
But
we haven't forgotten you Moms either—the ones praying for a safe
trip for your kids (they are always your babies, we know) and feeling
a little stress (which shows in your hair, too...) Stop in at Believe
or a relaxing scalp massage, a cup of herbal tea, and a little
deep conditioning of your own (you could use a little babying
yourself).
Spring
Breakers....read on:
Headed
somewhere warm?
Sudden
temperature changes can traumatize your hair. As the mercury rises on
the thermometer, your cuticle (the outside protective covering of
your hair) swells and opens, making it more vulnerable to
environmental hazards. Your hair can get brittle, dry, weak and give
up its color. Battle this with a spray on conditioner with sunscreen,
like Chromastics Triorganic Leave-In whenever you are outside and
deep condition with Chrosmastics Triorganic Extreme after every
shampoo.
Hitting
the beach
The
sun wrecks havoc with your hair (and skin). UVA/UVB rays can result
in extreme color fading and dryness, so much so that hair might split
or breaks off with just a comb-out (and that's without even factoring
in the use of a blow dryer or flat iron, which just compounds the
problems).
Fine
textured hair is even more vulnerable to the harmful rays of the sun.
Here's why: there are three layers to our hair shaft; the cuticle
(the outside), the cortex (the middle), and the innermost
layer, the medulla. Fine hair lacks the medulla, which is why
it's generally considered the weakest of all hair types, and why it
needs extra protection from the sun. But if you must shake your mane
in the sun's rays, remember to apply protective sun screen to both
your hair and skin every hour—or more often if you go for a dip.
Speaking
of dips
Salt
from the Ocean or Gulf or chlorine from pools, can truly damage hair
(I remember a light blonde from our high school swim team whose hair
absorbed so much chlorine, it turned green!) Sand is no help either,
acting as a natural exfoliator, rubbing against your hair shaft,
making it rough, damaged and—again--stripped of color. The wind off
the water finishes the job—drying your hair that same way it dries
your clothes when they are hanging on a line.
How
to rescue your hair
Wear
a hat! Not only will you protect your hair shaft, but your scalp is
one of the first places to get sunburnt, causing pain, itching,
flakes and dried out roots. Run some Aestelance Butter into your hair
before you stick it under the hat (the heat will help the healthy
oils sink deeply into your hair's cuticle.)
Remember
to reapply sunscreen to your hair (and skin) every hour—more often
if you are swimming or perspiring heavily.
Rinse
your hair with clear cool water immediately after swimming.
Use
a ph balanced and sulfate-free shampoo like Aestelance After-Swim.
Deep
condition after every shampoo.
Take
it easy on the alcohol. Too much isn't good for your skin or hair or
decision-making ability.
Make
an appointment at Believe
as soon as you get back. You don't want to be heading back to
school until we've had a chance to look at your hair and scalp's
condition and do some repair work ourselves.
Be
safe, be smart and, from all of us at Believe,
have a great Spring Break!