With the summer holidays in full swing, it’s peak time for families to travel abroad.
And with reports suggesting the UK could be experiencing its wettest summer in 100 years, even more people are expected to plan their getaway to the sun.
But hair experts have warned that you could be neglecting your haircare routines while out and about and ultimately causing long-term damage.
Here, Dr Balwi, a leading hair surgeon at Elithair, has revealed the mistakes tourists make abroad when it comes to the health of their hair and scalp.
Jumping into the pool
According to Dr. Balwi, entering the pool carefully will protect your hair better than jumping in and submerging completely.
He says: “Your hair acts like a sponge and once wet, it will become heavy and pull on your hair strands, causing breakage and potentially even hair loss depending on the overall strength of your hair.
“Your hair is at its weakest when it’s wet, so if you plan on swimming, keep your hair out of the water by pulling it up in a loose bun or braid on top of your head.”
Dip in salt water
Dr. Balwi also revealed that salt water is harmful to hair due to its ability to strip away moisture and essential oils from the hair shaft, all the way to the cuticle.
He says: “Soaking in salt water is also bad news for your scalp as it can lead to scalp irritation and dryness.
“If your hair and scalp have been continuously exposed and submerged in salt water during your vacation, the first signs of damage will be hair breakage at the ends, usually where it is prone to splitting.
“Vacationers can protect their hair from saltwater damage by rinsing it immediately after swimming and then applying a leave-in conditioner.
“This can also be applied before swimming to act as a barrier against salt water being absorbed into the hair.”
The Mediterranean and the Atlantic are the two saltiest seas, so if you are on holiday in destinations such as the Balearic Islands, Montenegro and the Cyclades, it is worth taking extra care.
Dr. Balwi adds: “After the holidays, use a super-hydrating mask at least twice a week and rinse your hair 1-2 times for up to four weeks.”
Use regular sunscreen on your head
Unlike body sunscreen, scalp-specific sunscreen has a light, non-greasy formula.
They are designed to penetrate the scalp effectively, without leaving behind heavy residue that can lead to buildup and further scalp irritation.
Dr. Balwi says, “We do not recommend using regular sunscreen on the scalp as it could cause adverse effects like clogged pores, dandruff or acne.”
HAIR CARE TIP
According to Dr. Balwi, the best way to dry your hair is to diffuse it and keep it in the best condition possible.
- Set the dryer to the coolest temperature and lowest speed.
- When using a diffuser, hold it and move it continuously around your hair.
- Dry your hair to about 80 percent dry, starting at the ends and working your way to the roots.
- If you prefer to use a towel to dry your hair, make sure to squeeze out every last drop of water with a microfiber towel and gently pat dry.
The trend of the combed back bun
Traction alopecia or bun alopecia is a type of alopecia caused by excessive tension on the hair by people who wear their hair in very tight hairstyles.
Specifically, it is when hair falls out because it is pulled too hard and too frequently through styling practices, causing damage to both the hair and the scalp.
Dr. Balwi says: “Excessive pulling on the hair fiber damages and weakens the keratin that makes up the hair: the hair can break at different lengths, which can be one of the symptoms of traction alopecia.
“But it is beneath the scalp where we can see the extent of the damage. Under the effect of traction, the hair roots are separated from the hair follicles, responsible for feeding them, and therefore no longer receive enough nutrients, creating broken hair.
“We recommend that tourists use a hair clip and gather their hair slightly up high.”
Allow hair and scalp to air dry
Hair is more vulnerable to damage when it is wet, reveals Dr. Balwi.
She adds: “Letting your hair air dry can cause trauma to both the outer and inner layers of the hair shaft.
“Since many will be washing their hair daily during the holidays due to the heat and exposure to salt and chlorine, the constant and excessive swelling and deflation of the hair can affect what is called the lipid layer, causing strands to become weaker, drier and less elastic.
“The lipid layer acts as a complex coating that surrounds each hair strand to protect the cuticle from damage caused by heat and chemicals.”
