What’s your favorite summer activity? Swimming, walking the beach and spending time in the sun are all popular for vacation fun. Unfortunately, while enjoying yourself, you may be also indulging in three of the most destructive agents for your hair; saltwater, chlorine and sun. Following these tips will help to save your hair from the hazards of a summer vacation.

Saltwater:
Ocean water leaves a salt residue on your hair that can deplete its natural moisture. Add blowing in the wind with this salt coating and the result will be split ends and hair that feels like straw.

• Remedy: To increase you hair’s resistance to the salt water and the wind, use a deep conditioner before heading to the beach. Also use some hair crème or pomade as a conditioning barrier. If possible, rinse your hair when leaving the beach and shampoo when you get home. If you are in the ocean frequently, it is wise to use a deep conditioning treatment at least once a week.

Chlorine:
Another swimming related hazard is chlorine. Repeated exposure can dry out and rough up the hair shaft. If your hair is chemically treated in anyway, as in hair color or permanent waves, it is even more susceptible.

• Hair color: Light shades can turn greenish and brown shades can take on a coppery appearance.
  Permanent waves: The hair can become dry, frizzy and lifeless.
  
  
• Remedy: Before you swim, saturate your hair with tap water. This will prevent your hair from absorbing much of the chlorine. Applying a leave-in conditioner will also slow absorption. Shampoo as soon as possible after swimming. If you swim often, wearing a bathing cap is the best remedy.

Sun:
The rays of the sun are working to do more than to give you a great tan. They are depleting your hair’s moisture balance, leaving it dry and brittle. More than that, the sun will fade hair color, more often than not resulting in an undesirable shade.

• The Best Prevention: Wear a hat made of a tightly woven fabric when you will be in the sun for any length of time. For all times, use products on your hair that contain sunscreen. Most of these contain only a small amount of sunscreen, so they should be layered.
  
  1. Use a leave-in spray sunscreen after shampooing.
     
  2. After drying your hair, use a hair crème or pomade containing sunscreen.
     
  3. Finish with a hair spray containing sunscreen.

Deep condition your hair at least once a week and to keep you hair color fresh and bright, use a color-enhancing shampoo during every other shampoo.

Being careful to use preventative measures will guard your hair against summer hazards and assure you of continuously beautiful hair.
Hair Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Healthy, Beautiful Hair Forever