How to Protect Your Hair Color in the Sun

There is nothing more frustrating than spending time and money coloring your hair, then having that beautiful color ruined after a day in the sun. Wearing a hat is always one option, but if you are trying to get some sun on your face at the beach or by the pool, then you need a better plan. Protecting your hair is easy, and it only takes a few simple steps.

Things You'll Need

• Large bottle of tap water
• Hair conditioner
• Brush or comb

Instructions

1. Arm yourself with a big bottle of tap water and a good hair conditioner before you head out for your day in the sun. The conditioner does not have to be pricey to work. Whatever you normally use after you shampoo will be fine. Just be sure you have plenty of it, so you can reapply as needed.

2. Prepare to take care of this process before you jump in the pool, or go into the ocean. Remember, hair is very porous. This is the reason for the plain tap water. You want your hair to absorb that, instead of absorbing salt water or pool water. The tap water is better for your hair, and you need it so the conditioner can be applied more evenly.

3. Wet your hair down thoroughly with the tap water, soaking it through to the ends. Then coat it with the conditioner, and brush or comb through to distribute it evenly. Be sure you get enough of the conditioner on the ends as well, because they tend to get sun damaged more easily. At this point, if you have long hair, you can pull it back from your face and enjoy your time in the sun.

4. After you go into the pool or the ocean, if you dunk your head in, you should repeat the tap water rinse and conditioning process. The initial rinse will definitely help keep the salt and pool water, and the sun from penetrating. But it's always best to redo this, to ensure complete protection.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to work the water and conditioner well into the ends. This area of the hair is more porous than the area closer to the scalp.