Island Living ... Salt Water Damaged Hair – Tips to Treat/Prevent

I live on an island and as such I am not too far away from the ocean nor what we call sea blast. The ocean offers many benefits, it is a much loved family activity and a great aid for the sick and elderly of our families and community at large. 

Being at the beach is soothing and can help ease depression, lower stress levels, help you feel happier, increase creativity, innovation and insight, it offers a great work simply by walking along the beach, helps you sleep better and can lift your mood.

People who live by the water report better physical and mental health than those who don't.

When it comes to our hair salt water from the beach can also be a natural shampoo and climate-friendly exfoliator for our scalp. Unfortunately, as with most things too much of this good thing can possibly lead to damaged hair.

The former is good news for oily hair types. Salt water can act as an efficient natural shampoo to remove excess oil and dirt, exfoliate your scalp and stimulate hair growth.

We know that the over exposure of salt to our bodies is not a good thing. Salt dehydrates ... the same holds true to our hair. The over exposure to salt from the beach can cause your hair to dry out, strip it of its natural oils and cause hair to be brittle and difficult to brush, cause dandruff, split hairs, and breakage. The impact is worse if you’ve dyed your hair.

How to protect your hair before and after a day at the beach

1. Rinse Your Hair with Fresh Water.

Rinse your hair with fresh water before swimming to prevent salt water damage. Once your hair has soaked up the fresh water it won't have the capacity to absorb much of the salt water. 

2. Use a Clarifying Shampoo.

After the beach wash your hair with clarifying shampoo and fresh-water post-beach activity. Yaphene Nettle Collection offers a Clarifying Botanical Shampoo you can use

3. Apply Leave-In Conditioner.

You can reduce the effects of salt water on your hair by applying a leave-in conditioner particularly one with SPF before. Be sure to use one after swimming as well. Leave-in conditioner helps to lock in moisture, keeps your hair soft, and prevents dehydrated hair.

Using a leave in conditioner with sun protection helps prevent moisture loss, helps maintain the strength of your strands, and protects your hair color for color treated hair.

4. Nourish Your Hair with Protein

Your hair needs a significant amount of protein to keep the hair shaft strong. Protein also helps to keep your hair shiny, full, healthy, and silky. Infuse your hair with protein to help counter the effects of salt water.

Quick recipe

Ingredients:

• Avocado
• Coconut milk
• Egg
• Olive oil

Directions:

1. Separate the egg yolk and white. Whip the egg white to medium peak set aside.
2. Combine the egg yolk, coconut milk, avocado and olive oil and beat. 
3. Fold mix into the egg white gently. 
4. Apply to hair and cover with a shower cap for 30 minutes. Rinse

Mix one tablespoon of honey and plain yogurt with an egg. Massage the mixture into clean and moist hair, cover with a shower cap, and rinse after 30 minutes.

5. Use Moisturizing Hair Masks

Nourish your hair with a natural moisturizing hair mask after taking a swim at the beach. The above recipe can double as a hair mask. Keep on hair for 60 minutes before rinsing. 

What do you think about the recommendations above? If you’ve tried them out already, how was the result? We’d love to hear all about it!