Protect Your Hair from the Sun and Pool Chlorine

The long-awaited and much-loved summer always arrives in full force, making things harder for our hair. Exposure to the sun, the sea or the sand can alter its structure and cause damage. That is why, at Farmaciasdirect, we are sharing practical, simple and effective tips so you can protect your hair from the sun and pool chlorine. Enjoy the summer without neglecting your hair health and beauty!

The structure of the hair

To understand what happens to our hair and why it suffers so much in summer, it is important to know that the main component of our hair is keratin and that each hair fibre is made up of 3 layers:

• Cuticle: This is the outermost layer and is made up of different scales. The arrangement of these scales determines the appearance of the hair, meaning its shine and texture.
• Cortex: This is found in the middle layer. It contains the keratin and pigment, in other words, the active component that gives hair its colour.
• Medulla: This is the core of the hair.

What happens if the hair becomes damaged?

When we say that hair is damaged, what we are really damaging is its cuticle. The scales that make up the cuticle open up and leave the cortex exposed. Then the following appears:

• Loss of shine and softness.
• Loss of colour in dyed hair.
• Fragile, dry and rough hair.
• Split ends and frizz.

Why does hair become damaged in summer?

During this time of year, our hair tends to suffer more because we are exposed to different external factors, as we increase both the frequency and duration of this exposure.

These external factors are especially the sun, the beach and the pool, although there are also other features of this time of year that can cause this damage: changes in diet, neglecting your care routine a little, sweat, changes in the source of shower water or not using specific products for the needs hair has in summer.

How do the sea and the pool damage our hair?

Sea salt and pool chlorine damage the hair, because they involve constant exposure to these factors:

• Sun: Solar radiation breaks down hair keratin and makes it more fragile.
• Chlorine: It damages the cuticle, making the hair look drier and altering the colour in the case of dyed hair.
• Sea salt: It dehydrates the hair, which loses shine and becomes drier and rougher. It also encourages frizz.

On top of this, we must add the use of unsuitable hair brushes, not combing the hair properly and leaving it damp. Damp hair is more fragile and increases the chances of damage.

Products to protect hair in summer

Below, we recommend the best products for looking after your hair in summer:

Sun protection for hair

It is not only our skin that needs protection from the sun, we should also use a hair protector; for the pool and the sun, specifically to protect the cuticle and our scalp. We recommend Aceite Seco Solar SPF30 Polysianes de Klorane, which not only protects hair from the sun in summer against the effects of chlorine or salt, but also nourishes and hydrates the hair. It does this thanks to its star active ingredient: Monoi Tamanu. It has a dry finish, adds softness and leaves a satin shine. Ideal as a hair protector against pool chlorine and it smells fantastic!

How to use: We recommend applying a generous amount of this product for looking after your hair in summer before sun exposure.

Repair damaged hair

After the beach or the pool, use a gentle shampoo to repair the hair. That is why we recommend the champú Aftersun de Polysianeswhich protects, nourishes and repairs hair weakened by the sun. It leaves it softer. All thanks to Monoi Tamanu, a star ingredient with a lovely scent. It is perfect for repairing hair damaged by pool chlorine.

Hydrate hair in summer

To reverse dryness and hydrate the hair after the beach or the pool, treat it weekly to a boost of deep hydration and nourishment with Klorane Mascarilla Repulpante Higo de Barbaria. Among its benefits, it restores shine and natural radiance to dehydrated, dull hair. What is more, it does not weigh the hair down and smells amazing. Without doubt, one of the best hair masks for after the beach or the pool.

Tips for looking after your hair in summer

One of our main recommendations for looking after your hair in summer, in addition to the above, is to trim the ends regularly to keep the hair healthy. Split ends appear when the cuticle scales are completely open. It is a problem that can spread along the hair shaft, so regular trimming is important.

Now that you know how to care for and protect your hair in summer from the sun, salt and pool chlorine, remember that you can contact our pharmaceutical advice service if you have any questions about which product is best for your case.