Summer has many wonderful things, but perhaps one of them is not the effects it has on our hair. On these dates we receive countless queries and concerns from our clients and today we are going to talk to you a little about some of them.

One of the biggest concerns about hair is perhaps unwanted color change. In summer, the color tends to take on an unwanted tone, revealing orange tones in medium to dark colors and greenish or copper tones in blonde hair. Excessive sun exposure and poor preventive measures also mean we frequently receive inquiries about dry scalp and hair. From green dyes to dry locks, the sun, the pool and the sea can have their disadvantages on our hair.

Here we leave you 6 things you should know about summer and the health of your hair, and what to do to beat the ghosts.

1.- HEAT DOES NOT AFFECT HAIR HEALTH

Although it may increase frizz a little due to humidity, it is not the heat that affects the health of your hair, it is all the sun's fault. The heat of the sun itself does not affect the hair, as the hair is quite resistant to temperature and can withstand up to 180˚ before the keratin is damaged. However, with the heat of summer comes ultraviolet light from the sun that probably has the most naturally damaging effect on our hair fibers. Sunlight literally degrades the fibers of our hair. Hair is made of about 18 different amino acids (protein chains) and some of them are highly sensitive to ultraviolet light, so the longer the hair becomes, the more light it has been exposed to throughout its life and weaker and more opaque it becomes.

2.- ONLY OUTDOOR POOLS LEAVE YOUR HAIR GREEN

If you're blonde and you're facing the pool with trepidation, don't panic. While swimming in an outdoor pool may risk causing a slight green tint, indoor pools probably won't cause the same effect. This depends on the pool you go to. If your hair is porous (processed) the “green hair phenomenon” will not happen in indoor pools, only in outdoor ones. It is the copper in swimming pools that causes hair to turn green, not the chlorine itself, so in hot countries, outdoor pools (due to evaporation) have a concentrate of copper salts in the water that works as an algaecide, which is easily absorbed by the hair.

3.- BEWARE OF ITCHING EYES!

If the pool stings your eyes, it is likely to dry your hair. If chlorine starts to sting your eyes, it may be drying your hair at the same time. Chlorinated salts, the substances that the body dissolves in the pool (sweat, sebum, skin, etc.) bind to chlorine and cause the stinging sensation you feel in your eyes. The more itchy your eyes are, the more dissolved waste will be in the pool and this can also have the dry effect you feel in your hair afterwards. At the same time, sea water can also leave your hair dry since sea salt removes water from the hair. Hair becomes saturated with salt water, which dries out more moisture. In fact, it makes the hair feel very dry.

4.- PREVENTION IS THE KEY TO AVOIDING HAIR DAMAGE

Prevention is key to minimizing the damage caused by these waters to the hair. In addition to getting a wax, or a manicure and pedicure, prioritize treatments to protect your hair. To prevent 'green hair syndrome' when abroad, try pre-treating your hair with a quaternary ammonium conditioner that inhibits the binding of copper to the hair. First of all, inform your colorist that you are going to travel, as they will be able to recommend the best course of action and the best color technique to adopt while on vacation. Then, in the weeks before your vacation, invest in a moisturizing or restructuring treatment with quality brands such as Oribe, Leonor Greyl or Christophe Robin, to ensure that your hair is in optimal condition before continuously exposing it to the sun and water. pools and sea.

5.- PROTECT THE HAIR FROM THE SUN

Use an SPF to protect your hair from the sun's UV rays. If a hat isn't your style, use a good quality SPF for your hair. They can be unpredictable and often only go up to SPF 15, so you need to reapply them every time your hair gets wet. Although we always say that the best protection is non-exposure, so it is best to wear a hat!

6.- CONDITIONS AND LIGHTENS THE HAIR WELL

Conditions to retain moisture. If you take a dip, be sure to coat your hair with a conditioner or oil first. This will repel water (to some extent) and salt too! And after bathing, rinse your hair well, whether in the sea or the pool. Another trick, if not used for a long period of time, hair masks can be wrapped in plastic wrap to achieve maximum moisturizing effect.