Five tips to help avoid damaging your hair in the sun

Brought to you by TRESemmé

Fun in the sun is what summer's all about but there are some important precautions to remember.

Aside from the obvious reminder that regular SPF is a must to protect your skin, overexposure to UV rays can take its toll on your hair. However, following a few simple tips can make all make the difference when it comes to how your locks fare on a sun holiday. Hair follicles can be damaged from too much sun which can affect how quickly your hair grows, not to mention the overall health of your gruaig. Here are a few simple tips to keep in mind before jetting off on your holiers.

---

Wash your hair before and after you've been in a swimming pool Chlorine, a chemical found in swimming pools, can have a detrimental effect on your hair's health. This is especially applicable to blondes because the combination of sun and chlorine can drastically impact lighter hair, with the worst case scenario being that it turns green. Washing your hair before and after a swim helps to remove chlorine, going into the pool with wet hair means that your hair absorbs less of the chemical and washing it after will help to remove any chlorine. Apply SPF to your scalp High temperatures can cause painful sunburn if SPF application has been neglected and certain parts of your body, like your scalp, are very vulnerable. Always remember to apply a high factor suncream or oil to your hairline, hair parting, and your crown, especially when out and about during the day. Find a hat you absolutely love Obviously, any hat will do but finding one you're obsessed with means you'll want to wear it all the time. Doing so means your hair stays protected with very little effort. Wide-brimmed straw hats are huge this season and are readily available on the high-street so there's no excuse for neglecting your hair. Minimise heat damage in general Using a hair dryer/hair straightener/curling tongs can leave your hair frazzled and that's before you even step foot outside. If at all possible, leave the styling tools at home when you're away on holidays. This gives your hair a break, and it means you're not subjecting it to double the damage, between the hot weather and the heated appliances. The likelihood is the humidity will ruin your carefully styled curls anyway so if you can bear to part with your beloved GHD, embrace the natural look for a week. Give your locks some TLC Before and after your holidays, make sure you're applying regular conditioning masks. This will help to minimise the amount of damage caused by the sun's UV rays and applying a hydrating masque on your return will help to restore and replenish moisture. If you love to style your hair with blow dry’s, straighteners and curlers but hate the dry damaged look, you need TRESemmé heat defence styling spray. TRESemmé Heat Defence Styling Spray helps protect  your hair from damage caused by heat styling tools by up to 230°C*. Apply generously for shiny, soft and perfectly styled hair.  *vs a non-conditioning shampoo alone.