Summer should be a time for wearing confident clothes in bright colours – whether you’re on the beach, high street, dance floor, or even at work.
It can ruin the effect, though, if your hair looks dry and dull, or you’re scratching your head constantly!
Here are six essential steps to a healthy scalp and shiny hair.
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Boost from within
There’s truth in the old adage that “you are what you eat”!
A healthy diet helps your scalp to grow strong, naturally lubricated hair.
Aim for plenty of fruit, vegetables and lean protein in your diet, and don’t forget to drink lots of lovely water; it’s good for every part of their body including the top of your head!
Look out for foods rich in Vitamin A, B, C, D and E, as well as iron and zinc. All of these contribute to hair health. Fatty acids with omega 3 are fabulous for hair too.
It doesn’t have to be all about fish, spinach, walnuts and avocados, though. Some studies suggest that high quality dark chocolate contributes to hair shine!
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Sunscreen for hair
Adding lashings of Factor 50 comes naturally, these days – everyone recognises the importance of protecting skin from damage caused by exposure to UV rays. Don’t forget, though: your hair and scalp also need protection.
Find sprays specially formulated to shield hair, or simply add a layer of your favourite conditioner before you hit the sun bed.
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Choose products with care
If you’re off to sit in the sun, or just feel that your hair needs extra nourishment, look out for daily hair products that offer good protection.
It’s also important to choose products that are ethical, however. Millions of animals die each year due to their use in cosmetic testing, but it doesn’t have to be this way. There are now more than 50 non-animal related tests available, and so brands really have no excuse – choose a brand that’s kind to animals as well as your hair.
Dryers and styling tools are another factor to consider if you want to improve your hair health. If your hair dryer is used frequently in summer months, and it’s a rather fierce one, you’re constantly drying out your scalp and hair shafts.
Try to air dry hair whenever possible, or invest in a hair dryer (and other tools like straighteners) that are designed to be gentle.
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Don’t wash too often
This may sound like strange advice in the summer months, particularly if you’re hitting the beach and night life hard!
Exposing your hair to hot water daily (even when using the kindest products) can strip out too much of its natural oils and nutrients, leaving you with a frizz.
Experts recommend washing your hair no more than two or three times a week.
Warm (not scalding) water helps to open the follicles in your scalp, allowing conditioners and other products to penetrate. However, it’s recommended that you rinse your hair in cool water, too, to close the follicles back up and refresh your hair, locking moisture in.
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Treat yourself, and your hair
This doesn’t just refer to pampering your hair with regular conditioning treatments.
You can also enjoy healthy, shiny hair if you massage your scalp regularly. Just like other parts of your body, your scalp will release some of its tension if you give it a gentle all-over rub.
Brushing your hair gently and systematically every day is also beneficial. It pulls natural moisture down from your scalp and spreads it evenly across each strand.
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To get ahead, get a hat!
If you’re expecting a lot of sun exposure, hats are the way to go!
Don’t think baseball caps and sunhats are only useful to protect your face and neck.
Covering your head with a cap, hat or bandana shields your hair from harmful UVA and UVB rays, keeping more moisture locked in. It also prevents your hair from being bleached by the sun – something that coloured hair is particularly prone to.
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xoxo
Pot Of Gold Blog By Sheena Deepnarain
