We all love a dip in the pool, especially when summer temperatures soar. The pool however, does not love our hair. Chlorine and pool chemicals are notorious for stripping away shine, fading color, and leaving hair brittle and dehydrated. So, how do you pool-proof your locks?


Tip #1: SATURATE YOUR STRANDS

In order to keep your hair from absorbing damaging pool chemicals, let it absorb clean water instead. Before diving into the pool, use a bottle of spring water or a pool side shower to saturate every strand. The strands will soak up the clean water like a sponge, meaning they’ll absorb way less chlorine when you swim.



Tip #2: ADD AN EXTRA LAYER OF PROTECTION

In addition to soaking your hair with clean water before exposing it to a chlorinated pool, you can go one step further and coat your strands with a moisturizing conditioner or soothing hair oil like Mythic Oil, one of our salon favorites! A deep conditioner or oil will create a barrier that will keep pool water from penetrating your hair as you swim. These products also help prevent your hair from becoming overly dry and brittle. After swimming, shampoo as soon as possible to remove chlorine or chemicals, and pamper your hair afterwards with a deep moisturizing conditioner to rehydrate.



Tip #3: SHIELD AGAINST UV RAYS

Aside from the damaging effects of pool chemicals, the other enemy of your hair, while poolside, is the summer sun. The sun can intensify the color-fading effects of chlorine, bleaching and draining your color into a duller, less shiny version of itself. To shield your tresses against fading, apply a UV protectant spray before you venture out, or wear a broad brimmed hat.



Tip #4: GIVE YOUR COLOR A BOOST

If your color or shine starts to noticeably fade, a gloss or glaze is an easy way to revive it. Either of these salon services will boost shine and give your color a quick pick-me-up between your normal color appointments.




Tip #5: CLEANSE AND CLARIFY

If you’re a serious mermaid, and your schedule includes almost daily dips in the pool, your hair can benefit from a once-a-week clarifying shampoo to remove chlorine and chemical build-up. Clarifying shampoos are specially formulated to wash away damaging chemicals, as well as hard water minerals, product build-up, and other toxins that are not so good for your hair. After your shampoo, treat your hair to a nourishing masque to soothe, smooth, and restore any moisture that might have been removed during the clarifying process.





Tip #6:  MIND THE ENDS

The ends of your hair are the section that can become most damaged from frequent pool time. Chlorine and chemicals can cause split ends to become even more dry and frayed, and if left unchecked, the damage can travel up the hair shaft. A quick salon appointment to trim off those brittle ends will keep your hair healthy and minimize tangles.


For beautiful summer hair, visit us at our hair salon in Vero Beach FL! We look forward to seeing you soon.

OILY HAIR

It seems like a harsh cleansing shampoo would be the best way to rid your hair of greasy build-up, right? The opposite is actually the case. Strong shampoos can send your scalp into a frenzy, causing glands to overproduce sebum, the substance that contributes to oily hair and scalp. The best plan of attack is to scale down and use a gentle shampoo that will balance your hair’s oil levels by gently clearing away impurities and build-up without stripping away the natural oils that keep your scalp healthy.

One of our favorite lines at the salon for oily hair is L’Oreal’s Mythic Oil collection. While it sounds counterintuitive to put a product containing oil on oily hair, Mythic Oil products actually work wonders for restoring balance. Mythic Oil Shampoo gently cleanses and reduces oil at the roots while Mythic Oil Nourishing Conditioner helps to nourish dry ends and help them to stay soft and supple.

OILY HAIR TIPS FOR SUCCESS:

• Follow a shampoo plan to “cleanse at the roots, condition at the ends”, especially if you suffer from combination hair-- oily scalp and dry ends. Using shampoo at the roots and conditioning only the ends will help restore balance.
• Don’t over shampoo. Shampooing too often causes your scalp to overproduce oil. Try to transition to shampooing every other day and use dry shampoo as often as you need it between washing. This can be a little tricky at first, as your hair will need time to adjust to a new routine and it may get worse before it gets better. Over time, you’ll notice a difference.
• Dry shampoo should be your constant companion. Keep it in your purse so that it’s on hand when oil and residue begin to build up around your scalp and roots. Just a quick spray or two at the root area will absorb excess sebum and leave your hair feeling lighter and less greasy. Our favorite at the salon is L’Oreal Fresh Dust. It has an amazing scent!
• Use styling products sparingly. They can leave behind residue that can weigh your hair down and aggravate oily hair conditions.



DRY HAIR

Dry hair needs tender care and intense hydration. This is not a job for an average shampoo and conditioner. Off the shelf brands can leave your hair starved for the hydration and nutrition that it needs.

At the salon, one of our favorite dry hair care options is Absolut Repair Lipidium Shampoo & Conditioner. Both products are formulated expressly for dry, damaged hair. The shampoo gently cleanses, while the conditioner lightly nourishes for instant softness and shine.

In addition to a nourishing shampoo & conditioner, a serum can also give dry hair a boost. Serums help resurface damaged fibers, seal split ends and add shine. We’re fans of Mythic Oil Nourishing Oil because it’s packed with Vitamins A, B1, B2, D and Omega 3 oils that deliver lightweight nourishment and a lustrous finish. It also contains Grape Seed Oil, one of the most powerful antioxidants in the world to protect against environmental aggressors. Both of these oils are perfect for dry hair.


DRY HAIR TIPS FOR SUCCESS:

• Avoid daily washing. Dry hair needs cleansing only a few times a week. Shampooing every day strips dry hair of the natural oils that it needs to stay healthy and protected. On days when you don’t shampoo, use a dry shampoo like L’Oreal Fresh Dust to leave your hair refreshed and fragrant.
• Minimize heat styling. Heat is particularly damaging to dry hair. It saps moisture from every strand, contributes to damaged ends, and over time, it will leave hair lifeless and dull. Air dry as often as you can, and opt for heat free styling. On days when the blow dryer or curling iron is unavoidable, use a product such as Mythic Oil Sève Protectrice Oil-in-Cream Primer. It’s a wonderful heat protectant to help protect hair against heat tools and styling.
• Use warm or cool water for washing---avoid hot steamy water. Sauna-like shower conditions will leave your hair dehydrated.
• Treat your hair to a deep conditioning moisture treatment once a week to re-hydrate every strand.


NORMAL HAIR

Ah, normal hair. It’s the envy of all other hair types. It’s so easy to care for, and very rarely does it ever experience the struggles of dry or oily hair. Therein lies the rub. Because normal hair is SO easy to manage, women who have this hair type can often be lulled into complacency and ignore healthy hair habits.

To keep your hair looking amazing, don’t skimp on a cheap shampoo and conditioner. At the salon, we recommend Mythic oil Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner, as it’s a perfect option for normal hair. The paraben free formula contains a rich blend of natural oils to keep your hair nourished, provide control, add softness, and leave hair with a brilliantly shiny, weightless finish.

NORMAL HAIR TIPS FOR SUCCESS:

• Keep your hair maintained with regular visits to the salon to remove split ends. Left unchecked, damaged ends will travel up the hair strand.
• Pamper your hair with a deep conditioning treatment every two weeks to combat stress from styling and day to day exposure to sun and wind
• Skip heat styling as often as possible, and let your hair air dry naturally.
• Don’t over clean. If you’re washing your hair daily, skip to every other day to keep the balance of natural oils in your hair at a healthy level.