Emergency Care for Sun-Damaged Hair

Summer sun means summer fun, but all that sunbathing, swimming, and boating can leave your hair looking frazzled, frizzed and fried. The environmental damage of sun, wind, saltwater, and pool chemicals can take a heavy toll even on even the healthiest head of hair. If your hair is chemically treated - permed, colored, or straightened - this added environmental damage can be catastrophic. But, don't despair. Your hair can be shiny and healthy-looking again without intensive salon treatments that will put a big dent in your budget. Emergency care for your sun-damaged hair is as easy as 1-2-3.

#1 Schedule a Trim

Sun and wind damage invariably leaves your hair with dry, frizzy-looking split ends. Even though there are products on the market that promise a temporary "fix," the only permanent solution is to get rid of them completely. Schedule an appointment with your favorite hairdresser for a quick and inexpensive hair trim to remove those ugly split ends. There is no need for the full service that includes shampoo, condition, and blow dry. You will be doing those later after deeply conditioning your hair.

Be brave. Desperate situations sometimes require desperate measures. It is worth losing a full inch off the length of your hair, if necessary, to remove all that damage. You will be amazed how cutting off those split ends will yield an immediate improvement in the look and feel of your hair .

#2 Hot Oil Treatment

The oils produced by your scalp protect your hair from moisture loss and impart shine. Sun, wind, saltwater, and chlorine can strip these natural oils from both your scalp and your hair. It can not only lead to an itchy, flaking dry scalp condition, the lack of natural oil and lost moisture also leaves hair looking dull, dry, and lifeless. A 45-minute hot oil treatment will help to return your hair and scalp to far better condition.

There are a couple of well-known hot oil treatments available on the market, but another option is using extra-virgin olive oil right from the kitchen cupboard. It's handy, inexpensive, and works very well.

Step 1 - Use your microwave to warm 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a small dish. Start with 15 seconds on low power. The oil needs to be comfortably warm, but not hot. Test a drop or two on the inside of your wrist to check the temperature.

Step 2 - Apply the warm oil to dry hair, massage the oil into your scalp, down the length of your hair, and take care to work a ample amount into the ends.

Step 3 - Pile your well-oiled hair on top of your head and cover with a plastic bag or plastic wrap. Finally, wrap a thick bath towel around your head. The heat from your scalp will be trapped by the plastic wrap and towel, which keeps the oil warm and thin enough to saturate and soften the cuticle of the hair shaft. Set a timer for 45 minutes - just enough time to treat your feet to a luxury pedicure?

#3 Shampoo - Condition - Blow Dry

Rinse your hair with very warm water to remove the bulk of the olive oil. Use your favorite salon-quality moisturizing shampoo. Lather and rinse twice. Towel dry. Massage a liberal amount of professional-quality moisturizing conditioner into your damp hair. Allow the conditioner to remain for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and gently towel dry.

Finally, select a cool setting on your blow dryer and, using only your fingers or a wide-tooth comb, blow-dry your hair until it is almost (but not quite) dry. Leave just a little moisture in it. Avoid hot rollers, curling irons and chemical services, like perms or hair color, until your hair returns to a healthier condition. If you wish to curl your hair, use smooth rollers on slightly damp hair and allow it to air dry.

Repeat the hot oil treatment weekly for three weeks and use the moisturizing shampoo and conditioner every time you wash your hair. Remember to allow the conditioner to remain on your hair for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing in order to reap the full benefits of the product.

Now, go out and enjoy your summer fun in the sun. Just remember that old adage about an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure. A straw hat, a pretty scarf, or securing the ends of your hair in a classic chignon will help to protect your hair from further damage.