Hello, dear curly-haired ones 

Over the past few days, I’ve received lots of messages from you about summer, sunshine, and water, and how they affect our curls. That’s why I want to use this curl post to give you some helpful tips on how to properly care for and protect your curls during this time of year. 🌞

Sun protection goes beyond the hairline

The UV rays we protect our skin from with sunscreen also affect our curls. As you probably know, curls require more care and attention than straight hair. This is especially true in the summer, when the heat strips curls of moisture—which is far from ideal for our curly heads. What’s more, the sun’s rays can damage the hair’s keratin structure, making it brittle. And as if that weren’t enough, UV rays also generate free radicals that further damage the hair.

So how do we keep our hair "safe" during the most beautiful season of the year?

The most important thing is to keep our curls well hydrated. The best way to do this is to use a moisturizing leave-in treatment or conditioner and seal it into the curls with a little oil. Argan, avocado, jojoba, almond, and coconut oils offer a small but natural level of sun protection because they contain vitamins that shield our curls from harmful UV rays. Of all the oils, grape seed oil has the highest sun protection factor. Another benefit of oils is that they protect curls from free radicals.

Click here for a selection of protective oils

There are a number of protective products designed to shield curls from heat damage during blow-drying. These products are also great for protecting your curls from heat and dryness in the summer.

The most effective way to protect your hair is still a sun hat or headscarf.

Protect curls from salt water and chlorinated water

Before swimming in a chlorinated pool, you should first thoroughly soak your curls with "fresh water." Curls are like sponges—they absorb water, and that water should never be chlorinated. The same goes for saltwater. After soaking, comb through your curls with a leave-in conditioner to protect them, and seal them with a little oil.

Here you can find a selection of protective leave-in treatments

Even though curls create those beautiful beach waves in the summer at the beach—especially with fine, wavy hair—it’s anything but good for your hair, because salt roughens up the outer hair structure; what feels nice is actually harmful to your hair, especially for dry, damaged curls, because salt leads to split ends and hair breakage; the curls also lose their stability and elasticity. It’s best to rinse the curls again with fresh water after swimming.

I prefer to use a leave-in conditioner with a fatty or oily base and work it into my curls after showering to protect them from drying out and from chlorine and saltwater.

I hope this helps you and your curls get through the summer safely and healthily!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me—I'd be happy to help.

Warm regards

Rosa Maria