How to Keep Your Hair Looking Great Despite the Sun, Surf and Sand

Just in time for the summer heat, Nicholas Penna, Jr. has great tips on how to keep your hair healthy and shining in the scorching summer heat. It's really easy to end up with dry, straw-like hair by mid-summer. Nick has some easy and quick tips for how to keep your hair healthy and pretty all summer!


Shower Before a Swim
Chlorine, salt, and natural lake sediment wreak havoc on your hair, so before you take the plunge, Nick suggests a pre-wash and condition. It may sound weird to shower before getting in the water, but allowing your hair to soak up fresh, filtered water prevents it from absorbing the harmful properties of chlorine or salt. After stepping out of the shower (or from under the hose!) spray in or comb through a leave-in conditioner to further hydrate your locks. Nick recommends L’Oreal Professionnel’s Serie Expert Solar Sublime.


Lighten up
Summer is the time to let your hair go a couple shades lighter—but Nick warns that remedies like lemon juice and hydrogen peroxide can increase dryness and breakage. To avoid this, Nick suggests applying a mixture of lemon juice and conditioner on your dampened hair. This allows the sun to lighten up those roots while keeping your hair moisturized!


Rehab Your Hair
When you officially retire from beach bummin’ for the day, make sure to hop in the shower and start rehabbing your hair! Nick suggests using a restorative shampoo, such as Shu Uemura’s Silk Bloom Restorative Shampoo, which removes chemicals and helps rebuild your hair’s fibers.

TIP: If you’re showering before bed, don’t rinse out the conditioner. Instead, leave it in and wrap your wet, conditioned hair in a hand towel and fasten with an elastic. Let your hair rehab overnight and absorb all the moisturizing agents of the conditioner. Then give yourself a fabulous blow dry with a round brush in the morning—Nick guarantees that your ‘do will be full of body, shine, and irresistible softness!


Keep Hair Strong
To prevent your hair from split ends, it’s always a good idea to get a trim and treatment done at your local salon once a month. For a wallet friendly alternative, Nick recommends L’Oreal Professionnel’s Source de Richesse Sulfate-Free Masque as a once a week deep condition.

TIP: Nick advises eating proteins like fish and nuts to keep your hair healthy! This will enhance your hair’s strength and prevent breakage.


Fight Frizz
The summer humidity can make your straight hair go frizzy in a matter of minutes! Nick prevents this by using a good moisturizing cream-based product. Put a little dollop of the product in your hands and run your fingers through your hair, spreading the product evenly throughout your locks. This is a great way to tame the frizzes while adding moisture back in your hair!

TIP: For emergency fixes, Nick says to keep dryer sheets to smooth hair down. Not only will it take the frizz out, but it will add shine and leave your hair smelling fresh all day!


Condition, Condition, Condition
Summer heat can cause weak and dry hair fast. A conditioning treatment instantly adds life and moisture to your hair. Nick says it’s the best $25 you’ll ever spend! He recommends something as simple as L’Oreal’s Power Dose, which gives your hair a boost of condition and shine.

TIP: If you can’t splurge on a salon conditioning treatment, the tried and true at-home remedy of olive oil works too. Nick’s recipe is to take 1 tablespoon of household olive oil, rub it in the palms of your hands, and smooth it through damp hair. If you want a deep condition, leave the olive oil for an hour or two, if you want a light condition, rinse it out immediately. This is a great way to cure dry, damaged, split hair from the sun and chlorine.


Nicholas Penna, Jr. is the owner and lead stylist of Salon Capri in Newton & Dedham, Mass.

Image from JohnHope14