Spanish Hair Care

If you live or are on holiday in Spain then you will be only too aware of the effects of the sun, seawater and chlorine on your hair causing dryness, lack of shine and colour change.

Ultra-violet light penetrates the hair shaft and damages its structure in the same way as it affects your skin. UV breaks down specific amino acids which build protein which is your hair’s main constituent.  Loss of these acids makes your hair duller and weaker with less elasticity.

If you have thick hair you are better protected as the amino acids are destroyed from the outside to the core.

Blonde hair (natural and coloured) is at greatest risk from the sun as it has very little pigment and the UV light breaks it down, bleaches it and reduces its natural defence system.

Hair products with UV filters do offer some protection, but you need to reapply them to maintain the protection. Ideally you should cover your hair with a hat or scarf and avoid exposure when the sun is highest and most damaging between the hours of 11:00 and 15:00.  Conditioning products can help repair and prevent further damage.

Chlorinated swimming pool water or seawater can have bad effects on your hair. Chlorine can make the cuticle of the hair rough and appear less shiny and long hair can get very tangly. You might also notice a greenish tinge if your hair is coloured and you have been using the pool a lot. This is not caused by the chlorine, but because coloured hair is more porous it sucks in the copper or iron algaecides which are used to stop the growth of algae. Your hairdresser should be able to correct it, but you might also like to try rinsing your hair with soda water or tomato juice which counteracts the green. Wearing a swimming hat is the best protection, and if you apply a conditioning product while you are wearing it you will be giving your hair a treatment at the same time.

Seawater acts like a sponge and draws water out of the hair, leaving a very dulling deposit if you do not rinse it off. It can also penetrate the hair shaft and break down the amino acids and roughen the cuticles. Rinsing or shampooing your hair straight after a swim helps, but the best protection is again a swimming hat or a special protective product.