With the arrival of summer, we begin to enjoy the beach, the pool, and the outdoors. Most people know that during this time of year, it's essential to protect the skin, so they buy creams and sunscreens for that purpose. But what about your hair? Have you thought about the products and care needed to keep it healthy and strong as it faces new challenges? Intense sun, chlorine from pools, and sea salt can have devastating effects on your locks. Without proper action, your hair can become dry, rough, dull, lifeless, frizzy, and lose its color. But fear not, as I'm here to guide you in protecting and maintaining healthy hair during these hot months.

Protection Against the Sun

Just like your skin, your hair needs protection from harmful UV rays. Excessive sun exposure can damage your hair, causing intense sunburn that affect keratin, the main protein in hair. The results include dryness, loss of shine, dehydration, and discoloration. It's crucial to use hats or scarves when outdoors and apply products with UV filters. Sunscreens are ideal for outdoor use, at the beach, or by the pool. Apply them constantly for total protection. You can also use them before styling or using straighteners or curling irons. In my Rocco Donna Professional line, we offer protective sprays that not only defend your hair from the sun but also moisturize it.

Intense Hydration

Summer can dry out your hair, leaving it brittle. "It's vital to keep the hair hydrated. Use moisturizing masks once or twice a week. Our products are designed to replenish lost moisture and strengthen hair fibers from within. At Rocco Donna Professional, we've created 3 different masks to use according to your hair's needs: hydration (chocolate-based), nutrition (based on our Roccoil oil complex), and repair (macadamia-based). It's also crucial to use shampoos and conditioners without sulfates or parabens to protect it from washing.

Combatting Chlorine and Salt

Pool chlorine and sea salt can discolor and damage your hair. It's crucial to wet your hair in the shower before entering the pool or sea. Since hair is porous and absorbs water, if it's already wet before coming into contact with chlorine or salt, it will be swollen, reducing penetration. It's also essential to rinse your hair with fresh water after leaving the sea or pool to remove chlorine and salt residues. Important: Many people with light or bleached hair suffer color changes when they enter the pool, often turning green. This is not caused by chlorine; the substance that changes hair color is copper sulfate, a bluish substance added to pool water to prevent fungus growth. In addition to what I explained above, you should use sunscreens, and in the case of bleached hair, you can also use conditioners or masks to protect your hair. Apply them with damp hair before getting into the pool.

Heat-Free Hairstyling

In summer, you can embrace your hair's natural movement and let it air dry after washing and conditioning it correctly. Additional heat from styling tools can be excessive in summer. If you need to use heat, always apply a heat protector for the best results.

Diet and Health

Your hair reflects your overall health. Make sure to consume vitamins and minerals. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids will promote stronger, shinier hair.

Regular Trims

Split ends are more common in summer due to additional damage. It's ideal to trim it before vacation to help maintain healthy hair and prevent split ends, which can lead to dehydration. After vacation, it's advisable to trim it again to eliminate damaged ends, promote healthy growth, and always keep your mane radiant.

Wash Your Hair as Often as Necessary

Keep in mind that in summer, it's hotter, we sweat more, and our hair and scalp need to be washed more often. Also, as explained above, if you go to the pool or the sea every day, you should wash your hair daily to remove chlorine or salt residues, as they would be harmful to your hair. Remember that the washing routine is essential; choose products according to your hair type, free from sulfates and parabens. Daily, wash with shampoo and conditioner, and 1 or 2 times a week, use the mask for extra hydration or nutrition (when using the mask, skip the conditioner).

Keratin Treatments

Protect your hair before going on vacation, upon your return, or throughout the summer with keratin treatments. There are 2 treatments: protein shots and straightening or keratin treatments. Here are the differences:
Protein shots or keratin are ideal for replenishing lost keratin in the hair, restoring shine, softness, and eliminating frizz. This is a super-hydrating and repairing treatment that won't change your hair texture and can be done once a month.
Straightening or keratin treatment, I always recommend those that are formaldehyde-free, and work based on hyaluronic acid and collagen, as they are more beneficial for your health and that of your hair. This treatment will eliminate frizz or puffiness and reduce volume. The duration is 2 to 3 months depending on how well you care for it, and it will help you stay more groomed during the summer. Both treatments will help you take care of your hair, keeping it in perfect condition, without drying out or damaging it, with spectacular shine.

Scalp Exfoliation

Just as we exfoliate the skin on our face periodically, it's also essential to exfoliate the scalp, which is also skin. I recommend doing this once a month, especially in summer. With this, we eliminate toxins, dead cells, and excess scalp oil. It refreshes the scalp, improves blood circulation, and helps absorb the nutrients your hair needs. It's done with dirty hair; apply the product with a good massage and then wash as usual.

Continuous Education

Stay informed about the best care for your hair type and the new products on the market, as you'll always find something new to help you maintain your mane healthy and spectacular. For example, it's essential in summer to use a leave-in conditioner or leave-in conditioner. And if it had molecular technology, it would be even better. Why is this technology different? Because it penetrates the cortex or hair cortex, reversing deeper damage, making the hair strong, healthy, and in its most virgin state again.

Conclusion

Taking care of your hair in summer doesn't have to be a daunting task, and with the right use of the right products, you can keep your hair healthy, shiny, and ready to enjoy the season. Remember, beautiful hair starts with conscious and expert care. Get ready to flaunt a spectacular mane this summer!