We’re in the heat of summer, and some of us need a refresh! Here’s how to have hydrated luscious hair for summer.

In the beginning of the season we shared our tips for colour protection, including how to protect your summer hair colour. Now that we’re really out in the heat by the pool, at the lake, on vacation, and day-to-day, we need to remember our haircare. Now last month, we discussed that the key to a minimal routine is masks and treatments for hydrated hair… see where we’re going with this? Coupling these tips will allow you do the things you love, while keeping the hair you love!

Let’s recap- our hair is comprised of keratin fibers, which consists mostly of proteins and some lipids and other compounds. Proteins are the building blocks contributing to the overall strength of your hair. The outermost layer of the hair shaft, the cuticle, is a protective coat that endures wear and tear every day. Sun exposure and UV radiation penetrate the cuticle and cortex layers, causing a loss of melanin, proteins, and lipids. UVA is associated with causing colour changes in hair- where very light hair (blonde or grey hair) has low melanin and is even more vulnerable to this damage.

First things first, STOP putting sunscreen on your coloured hair! We have seen so much misinformation out there encouraging using sunscreen to “protect” your hair. Chemicals used in sunscreen such as Avebenzone and Octocrylene are used together to absorb UVA rays. When applied to your hair, sunscreen will absorb the UVA rays thereby creating a chemical reaction- Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), breaking down the cells in your hair. ROS or free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can damage lipids, proteins, cellular structural membranes and DNA. Now, exposure to chlorine from a pool, salt water, or minerals in the shower water (copper, iron, magnesium, calcium, and silica) will attach, react, and discolour the hair with pink or orange tones. Not to mention damaging the integrity and structure of your hair, causing it to dry out and break off. Instead of using regular sunscreen, use products designed and safe for hair. We always recommend using a mask/leave-in treatment, a protective oil, and heat protectant as a barrier between your hair and the elements. Check out the oils and treatments we recommend using to lock in moisture longer, and protect your hair. Our trusted heat protectant that we use at the salon and at home is the AG Deflect Fast-Dry Heat Protection Spray- using natural antioxidants that fight off free radicals, protecting hair from UV exposure. 

Making sure you start with a hydrated base is always necessary, no matter the occasion. If you plan on doing some swimming this summer, there are easy ways to protect your hair. The best thing to do is rinse your hair with freshwater and apply a mask or leave-in treatment, especially if you have coloured hair. This is going to help coat the hair with a layer of protection, so that your hair will not absorb as much of the chlorine or salt water, also protecting blondes from turning green. Then as soon as you can, always rise your hair after. If you find your hair is dry and sticky after sun exposure or being out in the water, and that you have to rip through your tangles, that’s because your hair is being stripped of its moisture and keratin is breaking down! After applying a leave-in to damp hair, try braiding your hair to prevent tangles and breakage. As usual, reducing styling and heat will always benefit your hair, especially in the summer. The addition of a heat styling step will already make your hair more vulnerable to damage when going out into the elements. If you have to heat style for an event, make sure you use a leave-in oil or conditioner and heat protectant spray, and even still, limit your exposure to the sun. Avoid products containing high amounts of alcohols, silicones, parabens, and sulphates, as these will all contribute to damage and dryness. Instead of packing on the mousse or hair spray to keep volume or a style, cater your products to uplifting fine hair to preserve moisture, and use a texture spray or dry wax to control frizz, add body, and lock in your style. We love the Ag Tousled Texture Body & Shine Finishing Spray and Dry Wax Matte Finishing Mist with natural and reliable ingredients. All products mentioned are available for purchase at the studio. If you would like us to go deeper into styling products, leave a comment on our Instagram page!

                    

TOUSLED TEXTURE BODY & SHINE FINISHING SPRAY- $24              DRY WAX MATTE FINISHING MIST- $24

If this is all super overwhelming and does not seem like something you can keep up with, there are other ways to mitigate the damage. Regular trims are always very necessary to help prevent breakage, especially true in the summer. If your ends are splitting and dry, it is definitely time for a trim, as there is only so much products will be able to heal. Your hair would also benefit from a treatment in order to help build back its strength and protection. Our customizable in-salon treatment will allow us to cater to different needs of your hair, providing you a stronger base to work with. If you are not taking the steps mentioned above to protect your hair, you will find yourself needing to come into the salon more often for colour corrections and maintenance. Our stylist will probably recommend an in-salon treatment along with your service in order to protect the integrity of your hair.

We do not believe in compromising the integrity of your hair, and will never over-process damaged hair. If you let your hair get to this point, you may not be able receive the colour service you desire without multiple sessions and the work of consistent treatments- both time consuming and costly. This is why we are so transparent with the ways in which you should be treating your hair and respecting the work you paid for. We want you to have the hair you desire, feel confident in, and can live-in, and we’re here to be a part of that journey.