The Holiday Mistakes That Are Damaging Your Hair, Jumping In The Pool Is Just The Beginning
WITH the summer holidays in full swing, this is the best time for families to travel abroad.
And with reports that the UK is set for its wettest summer in 100 years, even more people are expected to be planning a trip to the sun.
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However, hair experts warn that you could be neglecting your hair care routine while you’re away, which can ultimately cause long-term damage.
Here, Dr. Balwi – Chief Hair Surgeon at Elithaar – has revealed the mistakes holidaymakers abroad are making when it comes to the health of their hair and scalp.
Jumping in the pool
According to Dr. Balwi, you will protect your hair better by stepping into the water carefully than by jumping in and completely submerging yourself.
He says, “Your hair acts like a sponge and once it gets wet, it becomes heavy and pulls on your hair strands, causing breakage and possibly even hair loss depending on the overall strength of your hair.
“Your hair is weakest when it’s wet. When swimming, keep your hair out of the water in a loose bun or braid on top of your head.”
Immerse in salt water
Dr. Balwi also revealed that salt water is harmful to your hair because of its extractive properties. It strips moisture and essential oils from the hair shaft all the way down to the cuticle.
He says, “Soaking in salt water is also bad for your scalp as it can cause an irritated and dry scalp.
“If your hair and scalp have been exposed to salt water continuously during your vacation, the first signs of damage are breakage at the ends of your hair. This is usually where the hair is most likely to split.
Vacationers can protect their hair from salt water damage by rinsing it immediately after swimming and then applying a leave-in conditioner.
“You can also apply this before going swimming. It acts as a barrier against the salt water being absorbed into your hair.”
The Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean are the two saltiest seas. Therefore, be extra careful when you go on holiday to, for example, the Balearic Islands, Montenegro and the Cyclades.
Dr. Balwi adds: “After your vacation, use a super-hydrating mask at least twice a week and lighten your hair once or twice a week for up to four weeks.”
Use regular sunscreen on your head
Unlike body sunscreen, scalp sunscreen has a light and non-greasy formula.
They are designed to penetrate the scalp effectively, without leaving a thick layer that can lead to build-up and additional scalp irritation.
Dr. Balwi says, “We do not recommend using regular sunscreen on your scalp as it can have harmful effects such as pore clogging, dandruff or acne.”
HAIR CARE TIP
According to Dr. Balwi, blow-drying your hair is the best way to dry it and keep it healthy at the same time.
- Set the dryer to the coldest temperature and lowest speed.
- When using a diffuser, hold it and move it continuously over your hair.
- Dry your hair to about 80 percent, starting at the ends and working toward the roots.
- If you prefer to use a towel to dry your hair, make sure to squeeze out all the water droplets with a microfiber towel and gently dry your hair.
The trend of the slicked back bun
Traction alopecia or knot alopecia is a form of alopecia caused by excessive tension on the hair, caused by people wearing their hair tight.
It is specifically when hair falls out due to being pulled too hard and too often through hair styling practices, causing damage to both the hair and scalp.
Dr. Balwi says: “Excessive pulling on the hair fibers weakens the keratin that makes up the hair. The hair can then break off at different lengths, which can be one of the symptoms of traction alopecia.
“But it is under the scalp that we can see the extent of the damage. Under the influence of traction, the hair roots are separated from the hair follicles, which are responsible for their nutrition, and therefore no longer receive sufficient nutrients, causing broken hair.
“We advise holidaymakers to take a claw clip and wear their hair loosely up.”
Let your hair and scalp air dry
According to Dr. Balwi, your hair is most vulnerable to damage when it’s wet.
He adds: “Letting your hair air dry can damage both the outer and inner layers of the hair shaft.
“Many people wash their hair daily on vacation because of the heat and exposure to salt and chlorine. The constant and excessive swelling and retraction of the hair can damage the so-called lipid layer, making the hair weak, dry and less elastic.
“The lipid layer acts as a complex layer that coats each hair strand, protecting the hair cuticle from heat and chemical damage.”
