Summer, Summer, Summertime

Being that the summer months are fast approaching, my next few post will focus on hair care for these upcoming heat filled days.
Soon it will be time to put on the bathing suits, the sunscreen and time to really protect your hair. During this time of year, the hot sun and humidity can wreak havoc on your natural tresses and cause a lot of damage if not cared for. I can't stress enough how important it is to protect your hair from the sun as you would your skin. The sun damaging rays can dry out your hair and cause split ends. They also decrease the strength and elasticity of the hair, resulting in breakage, frizziness and color fading.

Here are a few tips on keeping healthy hair during these grueling months.
First off, if you are going to the beach or sitting out in the sun for long periods of time, then invest in a fashionable hat. It can help protect your hair and skin.

As for products, there are many out there with SPF qualities, but the best in my opinion is Shea butter. Due to its high vitamin content, Shea butter works as a natural sunscreen. Try coating your hair with it once you've put a moisturizer in you hair. This process is sealing in moisture and protecting all at the same time.

Deep conditioning will need to become second nature in your hair care regimen. If you are out in the sun frequently, then I recommend deep conditioning once a week, especially if you have color treated hair. The current health of your hair, should determine just how often you really need to deep condition.

Pre-wash oil treatments are also a great way to seal moisture into the hair and scalp. Don't be fooled by hair products like "Olive Oil Mayonnaise" or "Coconut Oil Hair Conditioner". Those products rarely contain any significant amount of high-quality oil. Many times they are mostly made of mineral oil, which cannot penetrate the hair shaft. Pure, edible oils are the only way to go. Coconut, Olive or Avocado oil are the best to use. These oils are high in saturated fat which means their molecules are small enough to penetrate into the hair shaft. Part the hair into 4-6 equal sections and distribute the oil evenly, cover with a plastic cap and let sit for at least an hour. Detangle hair with a wide tooth comb and shampoo and condition your hair like normal.
This is just the tip of the iceberg in maintaining your hair during the heat infested months fast approaching. Stay tuned for more. Enjoy your summer and....LOVE YOUR HAIR!!!