WITH the summer holidays in full swing, it’s the peak time for families to jet off abroad.
And with reports suggesting that the UK could be in for the wettest summer in 100 years, it’s expected that even more people will be planning their escape to the sun.
But hair experts have warned that you could be neglecting your haircare routines while away and ultimately causing long-term damage.
Here, Dr Balwi – leading hair surgeon at Elithair – has revealed the mistakes holidaymakers are making abroad when it comes to their locks and scalp health.
Stepping or easing yourself into the pool will better protect your hair than jumping in and fully submerging yourself, according to Dr Balwi.
He says: “Your hair acts as a sponge and once wet, will become heavy and pull on your hair strands, causing breakage and potentially even hair loss depending on your overall hair strength.
“Your hair is in its weakest state once it’s wet so if you are planning a swim, keep your hair out of the water in a loose bun or braid on the top of your head.”
Dr Balwi also revealed that saltwater is damaging to your hair due to its stripping capabilities, removing moisture and essential oils from the hair shaft, all the way up to the hair cuticle.
He says: “Submerging in saltwater is bad news for your scalp too as it can cause an irritated and dry scalp.
“If your hair and scalp has been continually exposed and submerged in salt water whilst on holiday, the first signs of damage will be hair breakage on the ends of your hair, typically where it’s prone to splitting.
“Holidaymakers can protect their hair from saltwater damage by rinsing off their hair straight away after a swim and follow up with a leave-in conditioner.
“This can also be applied before your swim to act as a barrier against the salt water being absorbed into your hair.”
The Mediterranean and the Atlantic are the two saltiest seas, so if you’re holidaying in the likes of the Balearics, Montenegro and destinations in the Cyclades it’s worth taking extra care.
Dr Balwi adds: “After your holiday, use a super hydrating mask at least twice a week and clarify your hair 1-2 times for up to four weeks.”
Unlike suncream for your body, scalp-specific suncream has a lightweight and non-greasy formula.
They are designed to penetrate the scalp effectively, without leaving a heavy residue which can lead to build-up and additional scalp irritation.
Dr Balwi says: “We would not recommend using normal suncream for your scalp as it could cause adverse effects such as the clogging of pores, dandruff or acne.”
Diffusing your hair is the best way to dry your hair whilst keeping it in its healthiest condition, according to Dr Balwi.
Traction alopecia or bun alopecia is a type of alopecia caused by excessive tension on the hair by people who wear their hair in tight styles.
Specifically, it is when the hair falls out because it is pulled too hard and too often by hair styling practices, causing damage to both the hair and scalp.
Dr Balwi says: “Excessive pulling on the hair fibre damages weakens the keratin of which the hair is composed: the hair may then break at different lengths, which can be one of the traction alopecia symptoms.
“But it is under the scalp that 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 sufficient nutrients creating broken hairs.
“We would advise holidaymakers to take a claw clip and loosely tuck the hair up.”
Your hair is most vulnerable to damage when it is wet, Dr Balwi reveals.
He adds: “Leaving your hair to air dry can cause trauma to both the outside and inner layer of the hair shaft.
“As many will be washing their hair daily on holiday due to the heat and salt and chlorine exposure, the constant and excessive swelling and de-swelling of the hair can affect what’s called the lipid layer, causing strands to become weak, dry, and less elastic.
“The lipid layer acts as a complex layer that coats each hair strand to protect the cuticle against damage caused by heat and chemicals.”
