Blondes have more fun, right? Well, that may be true, but blondes also need to work a little bit harder to keep their hair looking its best in the summer.
If you’re a natural blonde, you might remember when you were a kid, and your hair took on a slight green hue from pool chlorine. If you’re not a natural blonde and this is the first you’re hearing of this, don’t worry – I’ve got you covered.
It can be daunting to learn about how summer can damage your blonde hair, especially after spending thousands of dollars and hours in the salon getting your hair the perfect shade of blonde.
This is precisely why this guide was made.
In this comprehensive guide for healthy blonde hair in the summer, I’ll teach you everything you need to know about how summer might hurt your hair and how to combat it.
Blonde Hair & Chlorine
Okay, the title is a little misleading. Chlorine plays a role in why blonde hair turns green, but the true culprit is copper.
Chlorine causes copper and other hard metals to oxidize, and your hair being naturally porous absorbs the oxidized copper – resulting in the green hue.
In some cases, it only takes 20 minutes for your blonde hair to start to turn green.
Believe it or not, there are solutions to this problem that don’t involve canceling your pool party and avoiding the water.
Always Wet Your Hair First
Your hair is naturally porous, which means your hair has the ability to absorb and retain things.
Your hair’s porosity is the reason you can bleach or dye it.
In this case, your hair absorbs the oxidized copper and other hard metals. A great way to avoid this is by wetting your hair before you get into the pool.
By wetting your hair first, your hair absorbs this water instead of the water with chlorine and copper. This makes it harder for your hair to absorb the harmful water while you’re in the pool.
Apply A Leave In Conditioner
If you want more protection, wet your hair and apply a leave-in conditioner before spending the day at the pool.
The conditioner will act as a barrier between your hair and the pool water, effectively preventing your hair from absorbing any harsh metals.
Whether you use water or add in conditioner, it’s important to rinse your hair out after you spend the day in the pool.
The worst thing you can do for your blonde hair is allow the chlorinated water to sit on it.
Preventing your hair from turning green in the first place is the easiest way to tackle this problem, but what do you do if your hair has already turned green?
Baking Soda As A Home Remedy
Create a paste of baking soda and water and massage that paste right into your hair before shampooing or conditioning.
Be sure to pay special attention to the parts of your hair that are the greenest.
Leave this paste on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing it off.
If you rinse the paste off and your hair is still green, repeat this process once more until the green hue has been removed. Be sure to shampoo and condition after.
If home remedies don’t seem to be doing the trick, reach out to your hairstylist.
Blonde Hair At The Beach
If you’re more of a beach person than a pool person, I’ve got you covered.
Saltwater can be incredibly drying for your hair – whether you have blonde hair or brunette hair.
The reason blondes need to be especially cautious around saltwater is because the bleach has already compromised the health of your hair.
While it is possible to maintain healthy hair while bleaching it, some damage is to be expected.
If you want to learn more about how hair color fades you can checkout my article “The 411 About Why Hair Color Fades“
Excessive exposure to saltwater has been shown to cause breakage and split ends as well as fade color.
Even more, a mixture of saltwater and strong winds is a perfect cocktail for messy and knotted hair. It might be tempting to grit your teeth and rip the hairbrush through your hair, but I ask you to resist.
Your hair has been through a lot of trauma between the seawater causing dehydration and rough winds blowing it every which way. It’s essential to be careful when brushing your hair out after a day at the beach.
A beach trip isn’t complete without a dip in the ocean, which is why I have some tips to protect your hair from that pesky seawater.
Use Hair Oil As A Protectant
Like I recommended coating your hair with water or conditioner before jumping in the pool, the same tips can be used before heading to the beach.
You can also coat your hair in oil, like jojoba oil, to create a barrier between your hair and the saltwater. If you choose to use hair oil or leave-in conditioner, be sure to let it sit in your hair for at least 15 minutes before getting it wet.
Protect Your Part With Sunscreen
We all know how important sunscreen is on your face, but on an average beach day, the top of your head sees more direct sunlight than your face does.
Your hair does offer a bit of protection for your scalp against the sun, but not enough to protect against skin cancer – especially if you have blonde hair.
In addition to putting you at an increased risk for skin cancer, excessive UV exposure can also lead to damaged and thinning hair.
As a blonde, you must be more careful about UV exposure because of what your hair has already been through while bleaching.
Just like there are different sunscreens for your body and face, there’s also a separate sunscreen for your scalp.
These sunscreens come in powders, sprays, creams, or lotions.
If you’re not sure which one is for you, ask your stylist for a recommendation and wear a hat or scarf in the meantime.
My Favorite Summer Hairstyles
There’s nothing worse than sweaty hair stuck to your neck on a hot summer day, which is why tight buns and ponytails are common summer hairstyles.
As a blonde, your hair is already fragile, throw in exposure to chlorine, saltwater, and the sun’s harmful UV rays, and your hair is in desperate need of a break.
The last thing it needs is to be pulled tight into a ponytail.
These hairstyles create tension on your scalp and hairline, which can cause breakage and leads to a receding hairline.
Consider swapping your tight ponytail for a low ponytail that doesn’t pull on your scalp.
If low ponytails aren’t your thing, consider clipping your hair back with a claw clip or braiding it to keep it off your neck.
Final Tips
Now that I’ve taught you all about protecting your hair while at the beach or pool, you should feel prepared to maintain your blonde hair all throughout summer.
While I’ve covered the major points, there are other things you can incorporate into your routine to ensure your hair stays as healthy and blonde as can be.
Avoid using heat while styling your hair.
We all know heat causes damage but taking the flatiron or blow dryer out of your routine during the summer is one easy step to maintain your hair health.
You also might find it beneficial to cut back on the number of times you shampoo your hair during the week. Too much shampooing can strip your hair of its natural oils and cause dry or fragile strands.
In addition to cutting back on your shampoo days, consider adding a deep conditioner or hair mask to your routine to increase hydration.
The sun, chlorine, and saltwater can be tough on blonde hair. But with a little bit of extra care, you can keep your locks looking healthy all summer long. Use this guide to protect your hair from the elements and keep it shining bright.
