Summer Hair Care by Andrew Collinge

Summer is here together with sun, sea and heat (hopefully).

How does this affect our crowning glory?

It's the UV in sunlight which causes damage to hair. The best way of dealing with this is to wear a hat. But, there are lots of other things you can do to promote healthy, glossy, vibrant hair.

So, what are the effects of UV and heat? Essentially, they ‘cook’ the hair, removing moisture and causing the cuticles to be raised. We should look after our hair in the same way we would care for our skin in the summer. Ideally, you should use products which have UV protection, replenishing moisture and protecting the hair.

If you're lucky enough to swim – either in a pool or the sea – then it's the chlorine and the salt which cause brittleness and long-term damage. The chemicals in the pool can affect the colour of your hair and sea salt draws out the moisture.

The first thing I suggest, is having a good trim at the start of the summer. It's a fact that hair grows quicker in the summer months, so it’s a good time to do this. The wispier hair and split ends are the most vulnerable, so removing these will instantly make hair look thicker and healthier.

Another downside of the ultraviolet rays from the sun, is that they cause colour-fade by stripping the hair of its natural oils. Therefore, it’s a good idea to use moisturising products and to increase your usual conditioner to a more intense one. This way, you will keep your hair supple during the hot summer months, avoiding dry, damaged hair and split ends.

Chlorine also plays havoc with hair colour, especially blondes which can become quite khaki-coloured after swimming. You can reduce the effects of this by making sure you wet your hair before swimming. This reduces the absorption of chlorine.

If you regularly swim, you may need to occasionally use a deep cleansing shampoo to remove the residue. This is also sometimes called a clarifying shampoo. However, if you use one of these shampoos, you do need to replenish the moisture afterwards.

My top product tips

1. To replenish moisture lost by sun and heat, use a good moisturising shampoo and conditioner.
   Collinge & Co moisture shampoo and moisture conditioner.
2. If you're going to be outdoors a lot or if you feel your hair is feeling dry and damaged, then I would recommend Collinge and Co Hair Treat – a luxury mask which provides moisture, whilst nourishing the hair and reviving the shine and vitality
3. For swimmers, use a clarifying shampoo such as Collinge and Co Deep Cleansing shampoo. Scalps can become quite sensitive in the heat and this shampoo contains ingredients that soothe the scalp.
4. Finally, choose your styling products carefully. A detangler is a must to protect hair against split ends. (Great for children) Collinge and Co Argan Oil is perfect for this – you only need to apply 3-4 drops throughout the hair.
   Hair moisturiser is a brilliant solution – you simply spray it onto damp hair. If your hair is exceedingly dry, you can also use it on dry hair.
5. Products which contain UV filters within our range include: Gentle Shampoo, Moisturising Shampoo, Lightweight Conditioner, Moisturising Conditioner, Hair Treat, Leave-in Hair Moisturiser, Blow Dry Lotion, Volume Mousse and Firm Hold Hairspray.

In addition to using the right products, remember:

DO – have a good trim, use products with UV filters and wear a hat, when you can.

DON'T – use tongs, blow dry too often. Don’t swim without first wetting your hair and remember to rinse afterwards, too.

STYLING TIP – when on holiday, my top tip for a beautiful-looking hairstyle – without using a heat appliance – is to plait your hair to create waves. Firstly, apply Collinge & Co Hair Moisturiser throughout towel-dried hair. Let it dry naturally in the warmth of the evening sun and then plait the hair, taking 6 to 8 sections. Continue to let the warmth of day dry the hair, for beautiful, tousled waves.

CONDITIONING TIP – Let the heat from the end-of-the-day sun work towards getting the best out of a conditioning treatment. Apply Collinge & Co Hair Treat to towel-dried hair, clip your hair up and leave for 20-30 minutes.