Good lake hair care actually starts before you ever get in the water.
Labor Day weekend is usually one of those last big summer weekends in Oklahoma. We head to the lake, spend the day at the pool, travel or simply stay outside longer than usual.
It is fun, but your hair may be getting hours of sun, wind and water exposure at the same time.
If you already feel like your hair is a little dry from summer, one more long weekend outside can make it feel even more dehydrated and difficult to manage.
A few simple things before you leave can make a big difference.
Put Something on Your Hair Before You Go
One of the easiest things you can do is use a leave in conditioner before heading out for the day.
I would much rather put some protection and moisture into the hair before several hours of sun and water than wait until the hair feels dry and tangled that evening.
This is especially important if your hair is color treated, highlighted, blonde or already feeling dry from the summer.
Think about what the day is going to look like.
Are you going to be outside for six hours?
Swimming several times?
On a boat with your hair blowing around?
Getting in and out of a pool?
Your hair is going to experience more than just water.
Preparing it before you leave is one of the easiest ways to help.
Your Hair Needs Sun Protection Too
We think about sunscreen for our skin, but we do not always think about what hours of sun exposure can do to our hair and color.
Professional hair care products can include UV protection designed to help protect the hair during sun exposure.
Goldwell and KMS both have products I like for this, and I choose them based on the client’s hair and what we are trying to protect.
This can be especially helpful for color treated hair.
If we have spent time creating a beautiful blonde, dimensional brunette or rich red, I want to help protect that color when you are spending long days outside.
Your home products should help support what we are creating in the salon.
Lake, Pool and Salt Water Are Not the Same
Not all swimming water affects the hair in exactly the same way.
At the lake, your hair may be exposed to minerals and whatever else is naturally present in the water.
Pools introduce chlorine and other chemicals.
If your Labor Day plans involve traveling somewhere with salt water, that creates another environment for the hair.
Any of these can leave your hair feeling different after repeated exposure, particularly when they are combined with sun and heat.
Hair that is already dry or porous may be even more noticeable afterward.
That is why I do not love the idea of repeatedly swimming, letting the hair dry, swimming again and then waiting until the end of the weekend to give it any attention.
A Braid May Be Your Best Friend at the Lake
Sometimes the simplest advice is the most useful.
Put your hair up.
A ponytail or braid can help keep longer hair controlled when you are dealing with wind, swimming and a day on the boat.
I especially like braids because they can help keep the hair from becoming one big tangled mess.
Anyone who has spent a windy afternoon on an Oklahoma lake with long hair down knows exactly what I mean.
The goal is not to pull everything extremely tight. We are simply trying to keep the hair contained and reduce unnecessary tangling.
It can also mean much less brushing and pulling when you get home.
Do Not Forget About Your Scalp
Your scalp is skin, and it is exposed to the sun too.
The part in your hair is one of the easiest areas to forget.
If you have a defined part, finer hair or areas where more of your scalp is exposed, think about SPF there just like you would anywhere else that is exposed to the sun.
There are scalp specific SPF products that make this much easier.
One example I like is Supergoop! Poof 100% Mineral Part Powder SPF 35. It is designed specifically to apply SPF protection around the scalp and part without using the same heavy sunscreen you might put on your body.
A hat is another simple option and gives you additional physical protection when you are spending hours outside.
Give Your Hair Some Attention When You Get Out of the Water
If you have access to clean water, rinsing your hair after swimming is a good habit.
You do not necessarily want lake water, chlorine or salt sitting in your hair for the rest of the day if you can easily rinse it.
Then think about what you are doing afterward.
If your hair is tangled, do not attack it with a brush.
Be gentle.
Use the appropriate conditioning or detangling product and work through the hair carefully.
This is another reason keeping long hair contained during the day can make such a difference.
When You Get Home, Give Your Hair a Reset
After a full weekend outside, your hair may need more than your quickest shower.
Cleanse the hair properly and follow with the conditioner or treatment appropriate for your hair.
This is also when you can really feel what summer has done.
Does your hair suddenly feel rough?
Are your ends extremely dry?
Does your blonde look different?
Has your brunette gotten warmer?
Does your red look faded?
Is the hair more tangled or difficult to style?
Labor Day is often when we begin moving out of the summer hair conversation and into what we want to do for fall.
Before we start changing your color, I want to know what condition the hair is in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I put leave in conditioner in my hair before going to the lake?
I like using a leave in conditioner before a long day of sun and swimming for many clients. The right product and amount depend on your hair type, color and condition.
Should I wet my hair before swimming?
If clean water is available, wetting the hair before swimming can be part of a good swimming routine. You can also use the leave in or protective product that is appropriate for your hair.
Does my hair need UV protection?
If you spend a lot of time outside, UV protection is worth considering, particularly for color treated hair. There are professional styling and hair care products designed with UV protection.
Is a braid better than a ponytail at the lake?
Both can work. I particularly like braids for longer hair because they keep more of the hair contained and can help reduce tangling from wind and activity.
How do I protect my scalp from the sun?
A hat provides physical protection, and scalp specific SPF products can help protect exposed areas such as your part. Remember to follow the product directions for application and reapplication.
What should I do if my hair feels extremely dry after swimming?
Start with gentle cleansing and appropriate conditioning. If the hair continues to feel unusually dry, rough, fragile or difficult to manage, we can look at its condition before making your next color or chemical service decision.
Enjoy the Weekend. Just Give Your Hair a Little Help.
I do not want you spending Labor Day worrying about your hair.
Go to the lake. Get in the pool. Take the trip. Enjoy the last big weekends of summer.
Just prepare your hair before you go.
Use your leave in conditioner. Give your hair some UV protection. Keep longer hair controlled when it makes sense. Protect your scalp. Rinse after swimming when you can.
Those few steps can make Monday night’s hair a lot easier to deal with.
And when Labor Day is over, that is when we can start looking at what summer has done to your hair and what we want to change going into fall.
