Imagine this: the beach, wind in hair, and a coral sunset, sounds like a dreamy vacation, right? But while this might be great for the soul, it might not be so glorious for the scalp. The salty waves and the humid weather conditions ruin the hair’s texture, stealing its moisture and leaving the scalp oily and greasy.
So, what is the solution to great hair while on a beach vacation? In a candid interaction with OnlyMyHealth, Dr Sukansha Kulshreshtha, a consultant cosmetologist at IFAM Institute, shared 7 tips on how to maintain great hair during a beach vacation. Moreover, she also talked about what extra precautions can be taken to prepare for a sandy vacation.
How to Prep Hair for a Beach Vacation?![1]( "beach vacation")
While the beach days are all about the sun, sand, and serenity, it is also about dryness, frizz, and breakage that comes as a souvenir no one asks for. So, it is important to prep the hair in the right way before hitting the beach headfirst.
According to Dr Kulshreshtha, “The first and foremost prep before hitting the beach should be to apply a light leave-in hair mask or get a deep conditioning treatment done before the vacation.”
Steps to follow:
- Lock your hair: Before swimming at the beach, braid or bun your hair to minimise breakage.
- Sun Protection is a Priority: You should use UV-based serums to protect the hair from sun damage, even on cloudy days.
- Oiling: Use a light-weight hair oil like coconut or argan oil to create a barrier from UV rays and harsh seawater.
ALSO READ: What Not to Do to Your Hair in Humidity? Doctor Talks About Do’s and Don'ts
How to Hydrate Your Hair For a Beach Day?
Beach water is salty, which can remove the moisture from your hair, making it lose its shine and texture. “The beach’s water has high amounts of dissolved salts, mainly NaCl (sodium chloride), and an alkaline pH level, which can lead to a flaky scalp, eliminating the natural oils from your scalp, so it is advisable to use hydrating mask to restore the moisture,” said Dr Kulshrestha.
Steps to Follow:
- Wear a Hydrating Hair Mask Overnight
- Soak Hair in Fresh Water Before Swimming
- Avoid Heat Styling Before the Beach
What are the Best Ocean-friendly Hairstyles?![2]( "beach hairstyle to do")
Who doesn’t love to flaunt their hair in the sea breeze while strolling through the seaside? Everyone, right. But in reality, this open-hair fun often gets your mane tangled, frizzy, leading to breakage.
To avoid this problem, some Dr Kulshrestha recommended hairstyles include:
- Fishtail Braid: This allows you to look stylish while keeping it ready to flaunt at dinner and outings at night.
- Bantu Buns: Bantu buns are small buns tied on the head, giving a cute beachy look without the frizz.
- Silky Scarf: If you really wish to open your hair, it is good to opt for a silk scarf as it gives a chic look while protecting the hair from harsh sunlight.
- Long Goddess Braids: If you have long hair and are struggling to manage in beach humidity, long goddess beach hair is a good option, offering looks and style combined into one.
Post Beach Haircare
Once the beach day is over, the hair is often left dull, dry, and devastated from the salt in the water. Talking about the right aftercare, Dr Kulshrestha said:
- Post beach, deep rinse your hair of the salt water and let the salt wash away.
- Follow with your regular shampoo and conditioners for deep conditioning.
- Apply serum or hydrating mask to restore the moisture.
- Don’t use heat to dry your hair.
- Lastly, after air drying your hair, detangle it to avoid the formation of knots.
Hacks to Reduce Frizz and Breakage in Hair![woman enjoying beach]()
- Avoid harsh sulphate-containing shampoos or conditioners
- Avoid hot tools for styling.
- Use scarves or hats to protect your hair from wind and sand.
- Don’t forget to use hair serums and leave-in conditioner for frizz-free hair.
Is Seawater Bad For Hair?
Dr Kulshrestha answered, “Yes, ocean water has high amounts of dissolved salt, damage to the hair cuticles, increasing the risk of breakage; thereby, pre- and post-care both are equally important and effective.”
Steps to Follow
- Wear a swim cap to avoid seawater intrusion.
- Switch to mineral-based sunscreen for the scalp.
- Before wearing hats, use a silk bandana to prevent breaking due to sweat.
Which Ingredients Should not be Used on Hair?
After a tiring beach day, it is important to take extra care of your hair. And it is crucial to choose the right ingredients to treat your hair. As per Dr Kulshrestha’s advice, here are some markers to follow for the right hair products.
Ingredients to Look For:
- Use sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners.
- Look for the products with ingredients- zinc oxide, vitamin E, zinc oxide, antioxidants, argan oil, rosemary oil, or extracts.
- Aloe vera included products to treat sunburns on the scalp, too.
Conclusion: Happy Hair, Happier Vacation
As the world is connected virtually, every one of us wants to flaunt our best versions of ourselves. And to do so, it is important to take the right care of our skin and hair. So, before taking a trip, take out some time to make a plan for yourself and the hair care you’re goint to follow on vacations. And voila, you and your hair is ready to post sunkissed selfies at the beach with the hair flowing in the direction of the ocean waves.
Here’s to happy hair!