Sun Scalp Protection: 5 Tips!

If you’re spending your weekends at the beach or by the pool, chances are you’re taking care of your skin by wearing sunscreen and staying in the shade. But what are you doing to protect your noggin? Read on for five sun scalp protection tips!

UV rays, salty water and harsh pool chemicals can damage your hair (especially if it’s treated) and your scalp, so I’ve put together a little Summer S.O.S. to keep your beautiful mane in tip-top shape.

Here are my Top 5 easy ways to keep your hair and scalp protected this summer.

1) Prep It

You know how hotel pools have outdoor showers? Lots of people use them to rinse off after they take a dip, but those are actually for you to use BEFORE swimming too. Your hair is like a sponge, so dry, it will absorb all kinds of chemicals used to keep the pool clean. By wetting your hair before you dive in, it protect your locks by making them less absorbent.

2) Hydrate It

Using a leave-in conditioner is a great way to multi-task. Not only do they lock in moisture into your strands, they can make your hair softer, smoother, and shinier while also protecting your head from the heat outside.

3) Protect It

Adding oil to your hair can create a layer of protection from the elements that dry out your do, like chlorine and salt water. I recommend organic coconut oil, because it also helps your hair dry faster and keeps it smelling like a beach with palm trees and a hammock. 😉

If you like to use a particular styling product, gel or mousse, look for one that contains SPF protection that you can use daily at outdoor work lunches or Sunday brunches with the girls.

Here are two other options I recommend that will last you through the summer without breaking the bank.

COOLA Organic Scalp & Hair Mist ($26)
This lightweight spray is not only made up of 70 percent certified organic ingredients, but it also has Monoi Oil, which nourishes your scalp and hair.

Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil ($29)
Stash Aveda’s travel-friendly bottle in your beach bag to spritz on hair before and during your afternoon in the sun. The wintergreen and cinnamon bark oils in its formula have your hair covered against UVA/UVB damage, while its antioxidants keep free radicals away.

And fall in love with a wide-brimmed beach hat. Maybe even splurge on a personalized one.

For more great tips on products, check out The Green Beauty Rules by Paige Padgett. It’s an awesome guide to creating a toxic-free beauty routine that works.

4) Detox It

For a post-swim treatment, give your hair a little Vitamin C boost. The Vitamin C removes chemicals and heavy metals from your hair with its acidic nutrient balance, so it helps return your hair to its natural pH.

Mix 1 tablespoon of Vitamin C powder with a pint of water. Apply it all over your hair and then rinse after 1-3 minutes.

If you’re blond, and suffering from a bad case of greened hair, mix 1 tablespoon of Vitamin C powder with a half pint of water, and leave it on your hair for up to 40 minutes to help remove the chlorine and restore your shining style.

Or if you want to get fancy with it, check out this recipe for a Citrus Lift for Parched Hair.

5) Clean It

Even if you’re exhausted at the end of the day, cap the night off with at least a quick shower to clean your hair and scalp with a sulfate-free shampoo. These formulas are milder and won’t dry out and strip the natural oils out of your skin and strands (especially after using that leave-in conditioner or protective oil!)

What steps do you take to keep your hair protected in the summer sun? Do you have any go-to products I missed in my recommendations? Let me know in the comments below.

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LOVE + gorgeous locks!