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IT’S A HAIRY TRANSITION
Protecting Your Beautiful Locks from Summer
By Joey Noufal

The arrival of warmer weather often translates to new fashions and the unveiling of new wardrobe colors. But do not forget the importance of changing your beauty routine to match the season and to protect you against any weather elements. As you plan your summer vacations, be sure you do not return with one souvenir you may not plan on—sun damaged hair.

To ensure your hair is ready for the seasonal change, I have outlined a few recommendations to help combat winter dryness experienced and take you into spring and summer moisture. These tips will help you combat the two most damaging culprits: chlorine and sun over exposure.

1. Conditioner to the Rescue: A deep moisturizing conditioner helps restore hair’s natural healthy elements potentially drained during cold, winter months and protects color treatments. Conditioners, such as Redken’s Smooth Down, is great for curly hair in summer months to help control the frizz. Leave-in conditioners are effective where you spray on about 10-12 squirts and massage through hair.

2. Take a cold shower: Summer months might lead to more showers due to increased activity, but beware because showering can damage hair since chlorine is present in household water. When taking a hot shower, chlorine activates and this has a higher intensity level. A cold shower is best to further protect color-treated hair.

3. Special conditioning treatment at salon or at home: A new conditioning treatment clients are screaming for uses a moisturizer by Kenra and results in healthy hair regardless of the temperature. First, apply the conditioner to wet hair, and then wrap the hair in foil. Follow by heating the hair with a flat iron. Each section is heated for about 45 seconds at a heat of about 350 degrees. This pushes the moisture into the hair shaft. Then, let it cool for about 10-15 minutes so moisture can set in.

4. Use a frizz eliminator product: A frizz eliminator is great year-round to control all over hair or specific problem areas. As humidity increases, this product helps smooth your hair and keeps it from frizzing. For fine hair, only use on the ends as if you use too much or all over, your hair will appear oily. For thicker or curly hair, use 2-3 drops all over to smooth out and control the frizz. A couple of great frizz eliminator products include SUDZZ Zenyth Frizz Eliminator and CHI’s Silk Infusion.

5. Hair Up: When a woman has color-treated hair, she needs to be cautious of hot Jacuzzis. The hot chlorine can turn your lightened hair greenish tones. To avoid, be sure the hair is up and out of the water.

6. Controlling Humidity: Women should dry their hair 100 percent of the way through to help combat humidity during warmer months. This is known as “double drying”.

7. Change your hair products: Switch to a shampoo and conditioner with SPF. To help protect hair from sun elements, choose a product such as Goldwell’s Definition.

8. Cover Up: Wear a wide-brimmed hat or baseball cap to screen out the sun during warmer months.

Despite seasonal changes and the damage temperatures and weather elements can have on hair, these steps can ensure hair is safe year-round.

Joey Noufal is an award-winning hair stylist and make up artist. Founder of Noufal Hair Color Studio in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area, Joey has celebrity styling experience including local politicians, television stars, rock musicians, foreign dignitaries and Royal Family members. Visit www.noufalhaircolorstudio.com.