Imagine beach hair, and the first thing that comes to our mind is the long, lustrous wavy hair that moves with the salty sea breeze. However, if you attempt to style your hair similarly for a day at the beach, you’ll probably end up with knots, dryness, and scraggly ends. Well, with some tried and tested hair hacks, you can keep these struggles at bay and enjoy your beach day. But before that, let’s look at what exactly happens to your hair if it is not prepped for a day out in the sun.
What does the sun do to your hair?
Just like you slather yourself with sunscreen to protect your skin from the harsh sun rays, your hair too needs this level of protection. Here’s a quick science session: your hair is made of three layers- cuticle, which is the protective outer layer; the cortex, the thicker, central layer that contains the hair pigment and protein; and the medulla, the innermost layer of your hair that’s quite fragile.
Trouble brews when the cuticle is disturbed owing to the daily wear and tear. This exposes the other two layers that aren’t as strong as the cuticle and the resultant damage includes brittleness, discolouration, and changes in your hair texture.
So, to avoid these situations, you can always rely on trendy beach hairstyles, a few handy hair care products, and some hair hacks.
Best hair hacks to protect your hair
A reliable beach hairstyle can hold your hair in place, but you need something more to prevent damage before you go dunking your hair in the ocean. The saltwater combined with the harsh sun can cause hair damage. But help is on its way! We’ll tell you how exactly to protect your tresses.
• Condition, condition, and condition
We cannot help but emphasise how important a conditioner is! You must coat your hair strands with a moisturising conditioner before you take a dip in the ocean. Without conditioning, your hair would absorb a lot of saltwater. And nobody wants saltwater hair, do they? Applying conditioner to your hair keeps it hydrated and prevents it from absorbing anything. Plus, a moisturising conditioner ensures that your hair doesn’t dry out too quickly due to the sun.
• Sunscreen for your hair and scalp
If only there was something to protect your hair and scalp from the sun, just like you have a slew of products for the skin. Well, there is! A sunscreen for your hair and scalp that shields them from the harsh UV rays. So, add a hair sunscreen to your beauty arsenal and enjoy the sun without worrying about damage.
• Find the perfect beach hairstyle
Leaving your hair at the mercy of the beach breeze is not a good idea. You can try numerous beach hairstyles and still look drop-dead gorgeous without hurting your mane. A controlled beach hairstyle like braids or twists can prevent friction that eventually leads to tangles, dryness, and breakage.
• Scarves to your rescue
Your beach hairdo doesn’t have to be basic. You can always add some style to your beach look with a headscarf. Tie a scarf around your head to prevent direct exposure to the sun. You can experiment with a variety of pretty and colourful scarves. Plus, you can also attempt different styles with a scarf.
• Rinse your hair after a swim
A great way to ensure that you don’t end up with saltwater hair is to rinse it after a swim. This will ensure that all the salt, sand, and other debris won’t damage your delicate tresses.
