It would have been nice if I
got all my sun this summer from the beach but the majority of my sun rays
came from canvassing neighborhoods in Aurora, Colorado which is 5,332
ft above sea level. Yes, we are pretty darned close to the sun here and
we’ve had several days of temps over 100 degrees and even more temps
over 90! I cannot remember a period in my life when I’ve spent more time in the sun.
My hair is natural and I try and use only natural products, but that doesn’t mean I am being kind to my hair. I was smart back in June (when I first started doing this) because I wore my sun hat but after about two weeks I got tired of it and stopped. I did notice some dryness and a couple of weeks ago when I went to the More than Curly Salon she said I only had shedding. My hair was healthy (thank goodness!) but I’m sure my hair has been damaged by the sun.
I love the sun and often get about 5 shades darker each summer but this summer I must be about 10 shades darker especially after waiting in the sun for hours for the president over the weekend! Protecting your skin is important but also protecting your hair is too.
I wanted to discuss the effects of hair damage but also discuss how we can bounce back from it.
“Although your hair cannot get a
sunburn or cancer, the sun can harm it in other ways. Prolonged exposure
to the sun’s ultra-violet A and B (UVA and UVB) rays can damage your
hair from its cuticle to its inner structure…Excessive
exposure to the sun can cause weak, dry and brittle hair. It can also
make your hair more susceptible to split ends. Chemically lightening or
bleaching your hair can make your hair particularly vulnerable to the
damaging effects of the sun, but the sun can also damage healthy,
non-chemically altered hair. The American Academy of Dermatology
explains that natural brunette hair can develop a reddish hue if left
unprotected in the sunlight. Chemically treated hair can yellow, dull
and fade”. LIVESTRONG
- Buy professional products. Using curly hair products with high quality ingredients
will greatly assist in restoring your hair to its natural state. It may
be a little bit more expensive, but it is a wise investment that will
greatly pay off. - Moisture, again and again and again. Since the
sun’s rays will strip your curly hair of necessary moisture, it’s
important that you take time to replenish it. Using deep conditioning treatments,
followed by six drops of oil (such as rosemary oil) and letting sit for
at least 20 minutes will help bring your hair back to a manageable,
moisturized state. - Eat a balanced diet. Whether you believe it or not,
the food that you eat on a daily basis plays a huge role in the overall
health of your hair, as well as its resiliency and ability to bounce
back after it has been damaged by the sun. Eating a well balanced diet,
exercising on a regular basis, taking a daily multi-vitamin and living a
stress-free lifestyle will all greatly aid in your curly hair care
routine. - Try at home remedies. There are many different at
home remedies that will help to rejuvenate your hair and bring it back
to life after a long, hot summer! Try out a mayonnaise hair treatment,
olive oil for split ends, egg yolk treatment, henna or coconut oil.
Applying these products to your hair, separately, and letting sit for
15-20 minutes will surely help your hair literally bounce back. - Protect those strands! Being proactive about protecting your
hair from the sun year round is very important. Just like we apply
sunscreen to our skin, we need to protect our hair. By being conscious
about prevention methods, you’ll will limit the amount of restoration
that you must do in order to get your hair back to its usual healthy
state. Wearing hats and scarves whenever you are out in the sun will
greatly help you to shield your hair from the sun’s harmful rays. It’s
even important to wear a bathing cap whenever swimming; this will not
only protect your hair from the sun, but from the chemicals in the pool
as well.Naturallycurly.com
Being smart is essential so put on the sunscreen for your skin and wear the hat and use these remedies for your hair. I’ve been doing more deep conditioning and being kinder to my tresses. Don’t forget to drink your water as well!!
Enjoy the last few sunny days Naturals,
Sabrina
This is an amazing post, I visited Malta for a month so learned first hand!
http://www.bootyfurl.blogspot.co.uk
THanks so much for sharing.
I also read somewhere that you can mix sun screen with water and spray it on your hair after you moisturize, seal. It will protect your hair from the sun.
Haven't tried that but I'm sure it works well. Let me know if you try it.