Sunshine, surf, bleach blonde hair, bikinis, sun-kissed skin… the scene is something straight out of a Beach Boys song. Pretty dreamy, right? Let’s keep it that way.
What’s not so pretty is the damage that can happen to bleached hair when it’s exposed to the summer elements, sun, water, and humidity.
When hair is bleached, the cuticle endures a good deal of damage, making hair porous, which makes it prone to absorbing and holding on to more water. Bleached hair is 60% weaker than unbleached hair in its dry state – it then loses 50% more of its strength when wet. The result? Hair that is ultra-susceptible to water damage. In order to protect your summer blonde locks, it’s vital to protect hair from water damage before it happens, protect your hair’s strength, balance pH and restore natural moisture.
Here’s how to protect your bleached or color-treated hair from summer fun in the sun:
Bleach Babe. Because bleached hair is more porous than untreated hair, exposure to chlorinated water puts your hair at even greater risk. Chlorine dries hair out and can make bleached hair become straw-like. To protect your hair from chlorine and other pool chemicals, spray Water Defense PreWash on dry hair a few minutes to a few hours before jumping in the pool. Formulated with coconut oil to help keep the hair cuticle closed and protect the inner structure of the hair from further damage, PreWash helps prevent chlorine and harmful chemicals from entering the hair.
Mean Green. Chlorine oxidizes minerals (like copper) that are in our hair from our tap water. Oxidation can make your perfect beach blonde locks turn greenish. We’ve all seen swimmer’s hair before — it’s one thing when you’re ten, quite another when you’ve spent good money to achieve the perfect summer blonde. Spray Water Defense PreWash on dry hair before heading to the beach, the pool, or working out to protect hair from salt water, pool chemicals, and sweat. Immediately after swimming, wash hair with AQUIS Rebalancing Hair Wash and rinse with fresh water to remove chlorine and chemicals as quickly as possible and restore hair’s pH.
Sea Spray. When salt water dries on our skin and hair, it must be summer. It can also dry out bleached hair, which tends to be drier than other hair types in the first place. What’s the solution? Water Defense PreWash. Apply liberally before diving head first into the surf.
Summer Haze. UV light can deplete lipids in the hair (leading to dryness) and since bleached hair is drier already, this can make it feel brittle. Replenish moisture with our Restorative Leave-In Serum. Unlike in-shower conditioners which can trap water in hair, our Leave-in Serum is applied to damp, towel dried hair. The lightweight, leave-in formula helps to balance moisture levels to make dry hair feel softer, and pH balanced to keep it smooth and shiny.
Beat the Heat. Trying to reduce the amount of heat styling is a great tip for bleached hair which is usually undergoing more “assault” during the summer months. Using an AQUIS Rapid Dry Double Layer Turban reduces blow dry time. The Lisse side wicks water away from hair at the point of contact and the luxe, charmeuse side prevents friction and breakage while you sleep.
Bonus Bleach Protection
- Rinse hair with cool, fresh water immediately after swimming
- Wear a swimcap (there are some pretty cute ones!)
- Keep hair up and dry on top of the head
Read here for more tips on how to prevent water damage and care for your hair this summer. Have fun in the sun!