In my recent blog I explained the dangers of swimming in chlorinated or salt water. Of the two, chlorine is the most damaging and as you can see from this photo, it can be pretty severe.

I decided to surf the net in search of as much information as possible on what chlorine does to hair and what you should do to PROTECT your crowning glory.

Here are some HOT tips:

PRE SWIM TIPS for chlorine prevention.

Before you enter the water thoroughly wet the hair. If the hair is saturated with non-chlorinated water there is less chance that the hair will absorb chlorine. Then apply a product designed for chlorine protection.

The very best and effective on the market currently is Kerastase Soleil’s AQUA SEAL. This product is revolutionary in that it provide the hair with waterproofing protection. However as it’s not water-resistant therefore it’s easy to wash out with shampoo.

When you decide to take up swimming as a hobby or sport you wouldn’t dream of doing so without buying a swimsuit sometimes goggles yet oftentimes you forget about one of the most important purchases a product which will protect your hair and the investment you may have made in colour or highlights.

You may tell me you wear a swimming cap and that’s good but only to an extent. It will still let in some water.

Post swim: Don’t hang about and allow your hair to dry as it will dry absorbing any traces of chlorine that remain in your hair. Shampoo immediately after the swim, again I recommend the shampoo from the Soleil range: Bain Apres Soleil it’s designed to remove all traces of chlorine or salt water and strengthens hair that has been weakened by the elements as well as moisturising the hair and for extra moisture use Kerastase Soleil Masque.

Finally scroll back to the top and have a long hard look at the photograph of a hair that has been totally obliterated by too much chlorine. The protective sheath of the hair, which is called the cuticle, has totally dissolved. Don’t let that happen to your hair use AQUA SEAL today.

If in doubt call into any of our two High Street salons and ask for a Summer hair and scalp analysis

HOW TO PREVENT CHLORINE AND SALT WATER DAMAGING YOUR HAIR

Whether your hair is  coloured or not it’s extremely important that you ensure  it’s protected  when exposed to chlorinated water or salt water.

I’ve spoken to you in  previous newsletters about the damaging effects of the sun but these other two offenders are lurking around, not only when on holiday, but all year round, if  you happen to be a swimmer.

Great for physical fitness - terrible for hair  condition.

What should you do?

Firstly, apply some  protection to the hair. I recommend this year’s new addition to the Kerastase Soleil  range ‘Aqua Seal’. This is a cream that’s applied to the hair before  swimming and is waterproof but not water resistant, which means that it has  the ability to protect but will still wash out of the hair very easily.

The next important bit  of advice is that immediately after coming out

of the sea or pool you should  shampoo to remove any traces of chlorine/salt. If you don’t do this you’ll find that  the hair will absorb the chlorine and the damage is done.

What sort of  damage?

Chlorine makes hair  more porous which means that it increases its ability to hold water making it  more difficult to dry. It starts to eat away at the cuticle (the protective  sheath around the hair shaft) which results in hair feeling spongy and losing its  elasticity.  This means that in extreme  cases hair will actually snap off between the middle lengths and ends and at the very least it becomes very challenging to style or blow dry.

Chlorine will also lighten hair  which is an absolute disaster if you’ve invested in a salon colour or  highlights.

The great thing is  that help is at hand - and if you use ‘Aqua Seal’ it doesn’t have to be  that way.You can also use Kerastase Bain Soliel which is designed to remove salt and  chlorinated water as well as the creams and oils we use to protect ourselves  when sunbathing.

These products go  along way because of their concentration.

Aqua Seal is £17.90
Bain de Soliel is £14.50

If you print off this letter  and hand it in when you purchase an Aqua Seal we’ll give you either a FREE summer  make up bag or  beach towel (while stocks last).

If you need any advice or clarity on this subject why not drop me an email to dom@migele.co.uk or leave a comment below

DOM
Your Hair Expert

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