Summer Hair Care Tips: How Different Water Can Affect Your Hair!

---

Did you know that the types of water we immerse are hair in can change and affect your hair? We can use the best products and it still not be enough to protect our hair depending on your water! Below is a list of the different water types and what they do to affect your hair.

Hard Water: Hard water is a common type of water in our households. It contains harsh minerals such as copper, magnesium carbonates, bicarbonates, sulfates, and calcium. These minerals can build up on the hair and scalp, making the hair feel brittle and dry. The minerals can also react to soap and shampoo creating a film that prevents moisture from penetrating the hair. Hard water can also cause chemical reactions to bleach and hair color which is important to relay this to your stylists so they can protect your hair performing any chemical service. Hard water can cause your hair color to fade more quickly and can dry out your scalp making it itchy and sensitive.

Well Water: Is very similar to hard water. Some even say it's the same but I've found different symptoms when it comes to navigating well water in the salon. It can also cause mineral build up onto the hair such as Iron causing discoloration and damage. If you have blonde highlights, for example, you may notice your hair turning warm or brassy quickly. Because it leaves a buildup on the hair is tougher for your products to penetrate and receive their benefits. Has your hair felt greasy even after washing your hair? This is also a symptom of well water that I have navigated in the salon. Well Water, in my opinion, has more of a reaction to hair color or bleach.

Salt Water: The only really negative thing I have to say about salt water is that it can fade your color quickly. I actually recommend my clients who have vivid hair color to use the ocean if they want to fade their color as much as possible to help them "clear" their canvas to try a new color. It can also dry out the hair because of the salts.

Chlorine: Chlorine is a different story. It can remove the natural oils in your hair making it more brittle, dry, and prone to breakage. When it comes to using a pool while having your hair color it can cause your hair color to fade or change, in some cases, instantly. The copper and chlorine bond together which is what gives hair that greenish tint. I have actually seen greenish tints happen from hard water because of the copper minerals. Chlorine will also cause chemical reactions when lightening your hair. I have also seen breakage happen due to the reaction of chlorine and lightener. Please make sure to be honest and upfront with your stylist before they perform any chemical service on your hair. There are plenty of remedies and plenty of ways to remove chlorine before your service!

---

I won't leave you hanging with this information! Of, course, I have remedies and ways to protect your hair!

Hard and Well Water: There's a few different ways to help protect your hair from the minerals in hard and well water.

Shower or Water Filtration System: will help filter out those harsh minerals and will help your hair and scalp long term. If you are on a budget like I am I highly recommend the AquaBliss Shower Filter. Its $40 on Amazon and it's recommended to change the filter every 3-4 months. Both my partner and I have noticed a huge different in our hair and skin since attaching this to our shower head.

In Salon Treatments: Most stylists today, including myself, always have hard water treatments available at the salon. For me, your hair's integrity is my top priority. I also have products for retail

that also help remover harsh minerals when your wash your hair. However, I will say, once my clients hear me talking about the shower filter, most will opt for that option. Its benefits are more long term and more worth the investment. Its less time in the salon and their hair reaps the benefits of having the shower filter. While your hair is repairing itself, I recommend a hair mask 1-2x a week. This will also help to quickly restore the hair's protein to add strength and shine!

Salt Water: This one is my favorite to talk about!

Hats or High Buns: Hair is affected by the sun also. So, keep this in mind also while you are at the beach. A hat is perfect for protecting your hair color. If you don't like wearing a hat, a high bun on the top of your head is great option to keep your hair from getting wet or somewhat protected by the sun.

If you are okay with hair color fading: Okay, now my favorite part. I will most likely dunk my head under in the ocean. I love it! I love how the salt water enhances my waves. I have yet to find a sea salt spray that does what the ocean does. If you have one, drop it below! As soon as I get out of the water, I take out my favorite leave in conditioner, 18 in 1 Beautifying Spray by Oligo, and spray that throughout my hair and then brush it through with my wet brush. Wet brushes are great for wet hair and are designed to have flexible bristles to work with wet hair. By doing these 2 steps I get beautiful beach waves. The leave in conditioner I use has 18 benefits and 1 being that it protects against UV rays. Perfect for when I'm laying out on the beach!

Chlorine: I will never not tell you how to have fun in the summer or on vacay! There are ways to navigate around your hair being exposed to chlorine.

Chlorine Removing Shampoo: After getting out of the pool for the day I recommend my clients to

to use a shampoo that specifically targets removing chlorine. My favorite is Olaplex No.4C which also helps if you hard water. I also know Paul Mitchelle has a chlorine removing shampoo as well. Make sure to get your products directly from their website or from your local salon. Third party sites (like amazon) or at grocery store will not guarantee the quality of your product and you will spend about the same. I also recommend using a hair mask to maintain your hair's strength.

Protect your hair before diving in the pool: I recommend rinsing your hair with cold water and then applying conditioner all over your hair. Don't Rinse the conditioner out. This will act as barrier to reduce the exposure to chlorine in the first place.

---