How to Keep Your Hair Color from Fading in the Summer

Hair color fades in the summer because ultraviolet (UV) radiation breaks down the pigment in the hair shaft, causing the hair look lighter. The sunlight affects both artificial pigments used in hair dyes and melanin, a naturally occurring pigment that determines your natural hair color. If you like to swim in the pool or in the sea, you should know that chlorinated and salt water also have a lightening effect on the hair. Are there any ways to reduce the effects of UV radiation, chlorine and salt water on your hair color?

Wear a Hat

The easiest way to protect your hair from sun exposure is to cover it up with a hat, wrap, kerchief, or any other kind of headwear. Not only will it protect your hair from the sunlight, it will also help prevent heatstroke. A wide-brimmed hat will also provide additional sun protection for your face and neck by creating a shade.

Switch to a Sulfate-free Shampoo

To preserve your hair color, you need to keep the hair cuticle (the outermost part of the hair shaft that consists of overlapping dead cells) closed. Shampoos formulated with SLS, SLES and other harsh sulfates open the cuticle and thus contribute to color fading. Sulfate-free shampoos are gentler on the hair, and they don’t open the cuticle as much. There are many options, including regular liquid shampoos and solid shampoo bars.

You should also consider washing your hair less often. To keep your hair looking clean and fresh in between washings, try a dry shampoo. It reduces hair greasiness without the need for water, which means that it doesn’t open the hair cuticle.

Condition Your Hair Before Swimming

As we’ve already said, the salt in seawater and the chlorine in pool water can discolor the hair. Applying conditioner before hitting the water prevents the hair from absorbing the chlorine and salt. Coconut oil helps repel the water, too. In addition, it has a natural SPF of about 6, which is enough to protect your hair.

Another way to protect your hair from water is wearing a swimming cap. Some people think that it looks uncool, but those who want to keep their hair color intact usually get over it.

Use a UV Protective Spray

While coconut oil does have sun protection properties, it isn’t the best choice when you need to protect your hair. Coconut oil usually makes the hair look greasy, so unless you’re lounging at the pool in your backyard where no one can see you, it’s not an option. Luckily, there are many UV protective sprays that ward off the sun rays without weighing the hair down or making it look greasy.

Dye Your Hair a Shade Darker or Try a Coloring Shampoo

Although the above-described tips help slow down the fading of your hair color, they can’t stop it altogether. If you dye your hair dark, you should consider dying it a shade darker than usual when the summer begins. As your hair inevitably lightens, you will be left with your usual color.

If you don’t dye your hair, try hair tinting products that match your natural hair color. They will make your hair look brighter without changing its color permanently. Unlike hair dyes, coloring shampoos, conditioners, mousses and masks don’t penetrate into the hair shaft. They only stain the outer layer, making the hair look brighter for several days. Such coloring products will boost your natural hair color that has been affected by the sunlight.