After a full week of sun, pool and beach, there’s a lot more harm done to your body that one can imagine. Although your tan is flawless and your strands look a little brighter from the sun, underneath is possible skin and hair damage. Have no fear: As a sun lover, I could never give up my rays for fear of harm. Instead, there are countless before and after steps you can take to prevent and fix damage.
Whether you were poolside or at the beach, chlorine and salt water can cause serious build up on your hair. Build up is not only unhealthy for your hair as it can lead to breakage, but it dulls the hair shaft. Use a clarifying shampoo to strip your hair of those impurities. If you color your hair, be sure to use a color-safe brand or sulfate-free formula. To condition after this squeaky-clean shampoo, try a hair mask specific to your needs. Figure out what you are suffering from -- dryness or breakage -- and then opt for either a hydration or protein-building formula. To help prevent build up, wet your hair with bottled water before jumping in. That way, your hair only absorbs the purified water and chlorine will have a hard time latching on.
Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It also experiences the most obvious harm. When you tan or, even worse, burn, you can directly see the damage done. To recover from this summer problem, the most common home remedy is aloe vera. Nothing soothes a nasty burn like this cool gel. If you feel the need for more drastic measures, try after-sun products. I love Dermalogica’s After Sun Repair. Its ingredients actually help heal DNA damage when absorbed.
For comments or questions, email me at amlarso2@asu.edu or follow me @soamandawaslike.
