Summer is an ideal opportunity for many people to enjoy the sea, sun and outdoor activities. However, continuous exposure to seawater can significantly affect hair and its color, whether this effect is positive or negative. In the following report, the "Dalili Medical" website reviews the effect of seawater on hair and its dye, according to our sources.

**What is sea salt spray?**

 

Sea salt spray is a hair fixing product that contains seawater or a saline solution. This liquid absorbs moisture and traps it inside the hair strands, giving the hair volume, density and a soft and full texture. Thus, the hair appears shiny, silky and full of vitality.

**Benefits of sea salt spray for hair**

 

Sea salt spray is an excellent choice for those who want to have curly hair or a wavy hairstyle without the need to use large amounts of styling products. Here are the most prominent benefits of using sea salt spray:

- Gives a soft texture to the hair.

- Increases volume and density.

- Enhances and defines natural waves and curls, especially for curly hair.

- Reduces frizz.

- Softens coarse hair.

- Facilitates wavy hairstyles.

- Helps repair damaged hair quickly.

★ Does salt water negatively affect your hair?

 

Not taking care of your hair before and after swimming can lead to unwanted effects. As celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimmons explains: “Salt water can dry out your hair and scalp, leading to brittle and dry hair.” This can lead to additional problems such as damaged strands, as salt water makes the hair cuticle more susceptible to damage.

Additionally, salt water can affect your hair color. Soaking your hair in natural salt water can weaken its structure and cause it to lose its artificial color, and it can also negatively affect your keratin treatment.

★ Should you avoid exposure to salt water?

 

Although salt water can cause damage to hair when exposed to it excessively or for long periods, due to its high salt content that can strip hair of its natural oils, making it dry, brittle and susceptible to damage, if swimming is generally infrequent and is considered part of a preventive hair care routine, your hair will be fine.

Is sea salt spray harmful to hair?

 

Sea salt sprays give hair beautiful waves, and add volume and soft texture. However, the salt found in sea water or in sprays in general can have a negative effect on hair, as it draws moisture from it and leaves it dry, weak and brittle, which increases the likelihood of breakage and split ends. In addition, sea salt sprays contain alcohol, which contributes to increased hair dryness.

Therefore, it is preferable to choose sea salt products that contain nourishing serums or natural oils, as they help reduce hair damage and maintain its natural moisture.

**How ​​to use sea salt spray for hair:**

 

1. Comb your hair to detangle, you can skip this step if you have recently washed your hair.

2. It is best to use sea salt spray on wet hair, so it is recommended to spray the hair with water, you can also skip this step if your hair has just been washed.

3. Divide your hair into four sections.

4. Spray the sea salt spray evenly on all sections.

5. Use a cutting motion to massage the hair with the product, which adds volume and density.

6. Use a hair dryer to dry the hair.

7. Use hair serum or argan oil to maintain moisture and shine.

Note: The number of sprays required to get the perfect hairstyle is determined by the length and thickness of the hair. For example, one spray of sea salt is enough for fine or short hair.

**Sea water recipe for hair**

Sea water is a nourishing and strengthening agent for hair follicles, as it replaces the lost elements in the scalp, which helps reduce hair loss. It also helps treat scalp problems, as the salts and suspended matter in it treat dandruff, psoriasis and other skin diseases.

In addition, seawater restores vitality to the scalp and protects it from diseases and fungi that cause them. It also helps straighten hair and turn it into soft strands thanks to its natural ingredients, which reduces the hair's sensitivity to chemicals in shampoo.

The salts in seawater also help reduce the scalp's sensitivity to heat and rid the hair of excess oils, making it beneficial for those with oily hair, as it restores the balance of oils. However, this benefit may be harmful to those with dry hair, as it can lead to hair weakness and damage.

Can you protect your hair color while swimming?

 

Even when swimming in a pool with salt water, it is essential to protect your hair. Although the absence of chlorine in this water reduces damage, the hair is still vulnerable to damage (remember that hair dye makes the scalp more sensitive to external factors and breakage!).

To start, wet your hair. Wash your hair with clean water before entering the pool. This trick helps reduce the absorption of chlorine or salt water into your hair. After you finish swimming, wash your hair again with water.

It is also recommended to use sunscreen on your scalp and hair when exposed to the sun at the beach or while relaxing by the pool, in addition to wearing a head cover when diving.

How can you avoid the effect of sea water on your hair?

 

If you want to protect your hair and skin from the effects of sea water, you can follow the following procedures:

1. **Rinse hair with fresh water**    After getting out of the salt water, rinse your hair with fresh water to remove the salt and accumulated impurities. You can use a clean water bottle to ensure that your hair gets a complete rinse.

2. **Avoid prolonged exposure to sea water**    Try to reduce the time your hair is exposed to sea water, especially if you suffer from problems such as dryness or damage. You can alsoUsing a product like Gerovital Luxury Expert helps greatly in repairing and restoring hair.

*Use the right care products**

It is important to use hair caps in addition to a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner specially designed to protect hair from the effects of salt water. For example, Lakme K.Therapy Bio Argan Oil Shampoo is an excellent choice, as it helps greatly in treating hair damage caused by swimming in the sea.

**Drying hair after swimming** After finishing swimming, it is preferable to dry your hair gently using a soft towel, then apply moisturizing products such as masks. We recommend using Lakme Chroma Organic Argan Hair Mask, as these masks provide deep hydration to the hair, and you will notice the difference after the first use.

**- Wash your hair after swimming** It is not enough to wet your hair before swimming, but you must wash your hair with clean water after getting out of salty or chlorinated water. This step prevents the accumulation of salt or chemicals on the hair strands, which protects them from breakage and dryness.

- Use a hair spray to protect against heat and chlorine

As you know, strong sunlight is one of the factors that lead to dryness, split ends and hair loss. Therefore, it is necessary to use sunscreens designed for hair or products that contain a protection factor of at least 30, usually in the form of a spray. Before going to the beach, make sure to apply a hair spray to protect your hair from heat, and repeat this every 3 hours. Hair sunscreen contains nourishing vitamins and moisturizing oils, in addition to being water and chlorine resistant, which prevents sand from accumulating in the hair.

Coconut oil on your hair To protect your hair in the summer, especially when you are at the beach, you can apply coconut oil to your hair strands. This ingredient forms a barrier that protects your hair from chlorine, and helps maintain its moisture. You can also replace coconut oil with olive oil if you prefer.

- Tie your hair in a bun or braid If you do not prefer to wear a swimming cap, you can tie your hair in a bun or braid. This will help reduce your hair's exposure to chlorine water

- Avoid using styling tools before going to the beach

Avoid styling your hair with a blow dryer or iron for 24 hours before heading to the beach, as the heat can make your hair drier when exposed to salt water or chlorine.

- Make sure to drink plenty of water. Water, water, water! It's true that drinking water is important in all seasons, but its importance increases in the summer, as it helps moisturize your hair from the inside and maintain its health. Hair is exposed to losing its vitality due to exposure to strong rays and chlorine water, so it is necessary to restore its vitality and moisture. Make sure to drink enough water daily, especially when you are at the beach. 

Use a moisturizing and purifying shampoo after swimming. Dry hair is one of the most prominent problems resulting from excessive exposure to sunlight, especially after spending a full day at the beach. Therefore, it is necessary to use a moisturizing shampoo to clean your hair. This type of shampoo usually contains oils and extracts from some herbal and grain butters such as shea or almonds, which helps boost the production of natural oils in the scalp and protect it from dryness. In addition to moisturizing, you need ingredients that deeply cleanse the hair such as peptides and clay extract, which help remove buildup resulting from chlorine and others.

- Use a hair conditioner to moisturize the strands after swimming. The problem of dry hair due to sunlight and chlorine is one of the most common beauty problems in the summer. To address this problem, you should not ignore the step of using hair conditioner. Leave-in conditioner products are also suitable for moisturizing strands during the summer.

- Use a hair mask after exposure to the sun. In addition to shampoo, you need a treatment mask after exposure to sunlight, chlorine, and other damaging factors resulting from the sea. You can use After Sun or Beach Mask masks, which usually contain oils, antioxidants, butter extract, and many amino acids. You can apply these masks to your hair directly after swimming, i.e. after shampooing, and leave them for two minutes or more. For better results, it is preferable to use the mask twice a week.

**The effect of chlorine on hair** Chlorine is an essential disinfectant, especially in drinking water, as it helps kill bacteria. However, its effect on hair is completely negative. Chlorine damages the proteins in the hair and scalp, leading to itchy scalp, in addition to hair loss and dryness.

In addition to the direct damage of chlorine, there is a bigger problem, which is chloramines, which are formed when nitrogenous substances found in human waste (such as skin, hair and sweat) interact with chlorine in seawater and swimming pools. These chloramines cause serious damage to hair.

Minerals and vitamins that maintain hair softness and elasticity are formed, and chlorine contains trihelomethane, which destroys many of these components. Therefore, the more these elements are deficient in hair follicles, the hair loses its vitality and shine, and becomes drier and rougher.

The interaction of chlorine in seawater and swimming pools with sunlight affects the composition of melanin in the hair, which leads to a change in its color.

In addition, seawater contains antibacterial and antifungal substances that infiltrate the hair.

- Seawater is an important source of healthy and sound hair nutrition, as it enhances blood circulation in the scalp and nourishes hair follicles, which helps promote hair growth and increase its density and length.

- Seawater plays a vital role in straightening hair and making it softer and smoother, thanks to its mineral salts and natural plankton.

- Seawater contributesIn removing excess oils from the hair, which enhances its health and makes it more vibrant.

- Therefore, sea water is especially beneficial for oily hair, but caution must be taken when using it with dry hair, as it may damage and break it.

How can you maintain your hair during the summer vacation?

 

The cleaning process is essential to remove pollution and the accumulation of products and oils, which is the first step to protect the hair from damage. The second step includes using restoration treatments, preferably from natural products such as oils, proteins and even fruits.

It is also important to avoid using high-heat styling tools and harsh chemical treatments that may harm all hair types.

Masks to restore hair in the summer:

- Eggs Eggs are effective in cleaning thanks to their lecithin content, and they are also rich in protein, which is the main component of hair.

Ingredients:

- 1 egg

- 2 tablespoons of coconut oil

- 1 tablespoon of honey

To prepare the egg mask, mix the egg yolk with two tablespoons of coconut oil and a tablespoon of honey. Apply the mixture to your hair and leave it for 30 minutes, then wash your hair with your usual shampoo and conditioner.

**- Yogurt**

A hair mask made of Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, and honey is effective in repairing damaged hair. Greek yogurt provides your hair with protein, while apple cider vinegar cleanses the hair, and honey helps maintain moisture.

**Ingredients:**

- 1 cup of yogurt

- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar

- 1 tablespoon of honey

**Method:**

Mix a cup of yogurt with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a tablespoon of honey. Apply the mixture to your hair from the roots to the ends, then leave it for 15 minutes. After that, rinse it with water.

**. Lemon and olive oil** To get rid of dandruff and itching, you can use lemon juice, and you can also moisturize your hair with olive oil, which will help restore the health of your hair strands after the effects of the sea.

**Ingredients:**

- 2 tablespoons of olive oil

- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice

**Method:**

Mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of water. Then, apply the mixture to your hair and massage your scalp, and leave it for 20 minutes.

**Honey and olive oil** Honey and olive oil are excellent moisturizing agents, as they have the ability to attract and retain water molecules.

Honey is a natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, which makes applying it directly to the hair useful in treating dandruff and scalp irritation.

**Ingredients:**

- 2 tablespoons of olive oil

- 1 tablespoon of honey

**Method:**

Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and leave the mixture for about 20 minutes. You can also add some essential oils to the mixture to nourish your hair strands.

###  Avocado for hair Avocado with mayonnaise, coconut oil and honey is one of the best mixtures that can be used directly on the hair to repair damage caused by the sea.

#### Ingredients:

- Avocado

- Half a cup of mayonnaise

- Two tablespoons of avocado oil

- One tablespoon of honey

To prepare the avocado hair mask, mix half an avocado with half a cup of mayonnaise, two tablespoons of avocado oil and one tablespoon of honey in a large bowl.

Then, apply the mixture to your hair starting from the roots to the ends, then cover it with a shower cap and leave it for 30 minutes.