As summer approaches and beach trips approach, the same phrase often comes up: " sea water and the sun damage hair ." So, is it true or not? LAO has done the research for you!

Sea water

First of all, you should know that the effects of sea water will depend on your hair type: whether it tends to be oily or dry and damaged.

In fact, sea water is composed of chloride and sodium (basic pH) which will tend to dry out the hair by penetrating under the scales of the shaft and absorbing moisture. Sea water is said to be hygroscopic .

If you have dry, damaged hair and it has already been in contact with stripping chemicals , this will further weaken it and it will become brittle.

However, if your hair tends to be oily , seawater will have purifying properties . It can help regulate your sebum, absorb excess oil, soothe irritations and, thanks to its antifungal properties, reduce dandruff.

Seawater is an excellent natural exfoliant for your hair. It helps remove chemical or silicone residue from the roots. Gently massaging your scalp after swimming in the sea also stimulates blood circulation, which promotes hair growth.

The sun

Protecting your skin from the sun has become a habit, but what about your hair, which is also exposed to UV rays ?

UVA and UVB rays irreversibly damage hair because it is composed of dead cells. By altering the top layer of the hair shaft, the cuticle, UV rays make hair dry, damaged, brittle, and create split ends.

UVA rays are mainly responsible for lightening your hair while UVB rays will promote the loss of proteins present in your hair.

The combination of sea water and sun can also have an impact on your hair color . Brown hair can turn red and blonde hair can turn blue/green.

Because exposure to chlorine and sun makes hair brittle and porous , it more easily absorbs other chemicals in seawater that cause bleaching.

There are anti-UV hair sprays, however they are made with chemical UV filters since minerals would be too thick to apply to hair.

Some of these filters are considered allergens and others are accused of being endocrine disruptors. So be sure to read the ingredient list of these sprays carefully before using them, and don't overuse them!

Moreover, these chemical filters also contribute to the destruction of marine life: a 2008 Italian study proved that anti-UV molecules kill micro-algae contained in coral tissue, and many states have simply banned certain filters.

The state of Hawaii, for example, recently banned the use and sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate to protect its reefs.

Wearing a hat remains one of the most effective solutions for limiting your hair's exposure to the sun... and it makes for some pretty cool photos at the beach!

@jacquemus

Hair routine to adopt in summer:

First of all, before swimming in the sea, we advise you to apply a vegetable oil to your hair , the latter will have a film-forming role and will protect your hair from external aggressions... but not from UV rays!

Raspberry seed oil or wheat germ oil are very effective and can be found produced in France! Once out of the water, you can perform a light exfoliation by massaging your scalp; the mini salt crystals present in seawater will help purify your hair. (Don't forget to protect your skin from the sun again after swimming and to wear a hat.)

It's important to wash your hair with clean water after a day at the beach. You can use your usual natural shampoo and conditioner . Finally, applying a mask to your lengths and ends will nourish or moisturize your hair, depending on its type.

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