Curly hair and sun: before, during and after

To protect your curly hair from the sun, three habits are all you need: nourish it before summer, cover it during sun exposure and rinse it with fresh water after every swim. UV rays, heat, salt and chlorine dry out curls and make them more fragile. Here are our tips for keeping your curls supple, defined and healthy all summer long.

What are the effects of the sun on curly hair?

Curly, coily and afro-textured hair is naturally drier than straight hair: sebum has a hard time travelling down the fibre because of its curves. In summer, several factors make this dryness worse:

• UV rays weaken keratin, the protein that makes up hair. The result: drier, more brittle hair and a color that fades, especially on color-treated hair.
• Heat evaporates the water contained in the fiber.
• Humidity lifts the cuticle and encourages frizz.
• Salt and chlorine dry out the lengths and make them rough.

Before summer: prep your curls

Well-nourished hair is more resilient. In the weeks before your holiday:

• Use a mask with every wash. The Intensive Nourishing Mask is applied after shampooing, on the lengths, and left on for a few minutes before rinsing.
• Use a conditioner every time you wash to make detangling easier and limit breakage. The Conditioner detangles and softens your curls.
• Trim damaged ends: they get damaged even faster in the sun and encourage knots.

During exposure: protect your hair from the sun

• Cover your hair with a hat or scarf, especially during the hottest hours, between 12 pm and 4 pm. It's the most effective protection.
• Seek shade: parasol, tree or covered terrace.
• Adopt a protective style: braids, twists, a bun or a pineapple expose your lengths less and limit knots.
• Seal in hydration with the 3-in-1 Sealing Oil Serum, applied to the lengths and ends.
• Wet your hair with fresh water before swimming. Hair already full of water absorbs less salt or chlorinated water.
• Consider hair care products with a UV filter such as the 10-in-1 Multiprotect Spray if you spend a long time in the sun. They complement a hat without replacing it.

After the sun: repair and rehydrate

• Rinse your hair with fresh water as soon as you get out of the water to remove most of the salt and chlorine.
• Wash it that same evening with a gentle shampoo: a simple rinse isn’t enough to remove salt, chlorine and product residue.
• Apply your conditioner or mask to restore lost suppleness to your lengths.
• Clarify from time to time. If you often swim in pools, the Clarifying Shampoo removes residue buildup, once or twice a month.

CAUTION: limit the diffuser and hair dryer in summer, so you don't add more heat on top of the sun's. Opt for air-drying. If you do use a tool, protect your lengths with the 10-in-1 Multiprotect Spray, which protects against heat from styling tools.

Our tips for your hair type

• Wavy hair (type 2): favor lightweight care so as not to weigh down your waves, and wear a hat during the hottest hours.
• Curly hair (type 3): go for the mask and serum duo, and protective styles for the beach.
• Coily and afro-textured hair (type 4): nourish generously, with the Nourishing Smoothie for example, and keep your lengths tied up or braided.

JIA TIP: prepare a travel kit with your essential products in mini sizes. You'll keep up your hair care routine, even far from home!

FAQ: protecting curly hair from the sun

Does the sun really damage curly hair?

Yes. UV rays weaken keratin and dull color, while heat dries out the fiber. Curly hair, which is naturally drier, is particularly sensitive to them.

Should you put sunscreen on your hair?

No, skin sunscreen is not made for hair and makes it greasy. The most effective option is still to cover it with a hat or scarf, possibly alongside a hair treatment with a UV filter.

How to swim without damaging your curls?

Wet your hair with fresh water before swimming, tie it up or braid it, then rinse it as soon as you get out of the water. Wash it that same evening with a gentle shampoo.

My curls are damaged after summer, what should I do?

Trim damaged ends, use a nourishing mask every time you wash and limit heat from styling tools for a few weeks. Your curls will gradually regain softness and definition.

Conclusion

Nourish before, cover during, rinse after: with these three reflexes, your curls get through summer staying soft, shiny and defined. Enjoy the sun, and so will your hair!

See you very soon for new hair tips with JIABLOG!