Beauty and the Beach
Everything you need to help your clients fight frizz and combat chlorine and other nasty stuff this summer.
Chlorine. Brassiness. Rough texture. The list goes on. Despite helping achieve a perfect tan, time spent in the water and under the sun can do a number on the hair. Here, Tom Porter, founder/CEO of Malibu Wellness and the author of You’re Not Aging…You’re Just Oxidizing, debunks common beliefs about what happens to hair during those lazy, hazy days of summer.
Swimmers (blondes especially) have a tendency to blame chlorine for their green hair, but according to Porter, it isn’t quite the enemy that everyone makes it out to be. Copper is the real culprit. “It’s actually copper, which is used in swimming pools to control the algae,” Porter says. “The air, the sun and the chlorine oxidize the copper, which makes hair turn green.”
Fighting the urge to go for a swim might sound like a good idea, but the scalp is far from safe. During the summer months, says Porter, chlorine levels in tap water exceed what is legally required in swimming pools. Because the summer heat increases the level of bacteria in the water, more chlorine is added to the water supply, which affects shower and bath water. This explains why many blondes still get green hair even when they avoid pools like the plague. It is a common misconception that buying a water softener will eliminate the chlorine and minerals in the shower. However, most water softeners are used for drinking water, as the cost of an effective system for the whole house that claims to remove both chlorine and minerals is prohibitive.
To address chlorine and copper concerns, Porter recommends that clients apply a conditioner with hydrolyzed, positively charged proteins under their swim caps, which could create a barrier of sorts. It is also important to remove the elements that are causing the problem. Porter recommends Malibu MakeOver, which draws out mineral deposits, chlorine and other impurities. Then follow up with Miracle Repair, a reconstructing formula that strengthens weak spots and rebuilds damage, delivering shiny, healthy-looking hair.
Brassiness is another issue seen a lot in the summer and it can be caused by a number of factors. When natural pigments in the hair are oxidized or when minerals, such as iron, build up on the hair, it can appear dark or turn a light-orange shade. Aside from wearing a hat at all times, Porter suggests that clients use cool water when shampooing to keep the cuticle laid down and decrease the amount of iron that attaches to the hair. Oh, and the next time your clients complain that their highlights faded after they left the salon, tell them that highlights cannot fade since all the pigment was lifted out of the hair when it was bleached. The real culprit is minerals in the water, which should be removed on a regular basis. For Porter, it’s all about removing the problem and restoring the integrity of the hair. Now that you’re one step ahead, your clients will no longer have to worry about hair problems and they can focus on enjoying their summer. —Kamala Kirk
1. GKhair Juvexin Color Sealing
This protects hair from the harmful sun and other harsh elements with a UV/UVA shield that locks in color from roots to tips while eliminating frizz.
2. BrazilianBlowout Açai DailySmoothing Serum
The leave-in styling protectant conditions and detangles, infusing hair with amino acids to strengthen and reconstruct, retain moisture and lock out humidity.
3. ColorProof Evolved Color Care HumidityRx Anti-Frizz Weatherproof Spray
Designed exclusively for color-treated hair, this weightless mist repels moisture, locks out humidity and keeps the frizz away all day long.
4. Malibu C Swimmers Wellness Kit
The gentle shampoo and conditioner remove buildup and dramatically improve the way hair looks and feels after a dip in the pool. The wellness treatment restores color, vibrancy and manageability.
5. Alterna Haircare Bamboo Beach Summer Sun-Kissed Smooth Protective Illuminating Cream
The multitasking styling cream controls frizz, giving hair a subtle sun-kissed shimmer while protecting it from the harsh summer sun.
6. Scruples Texture Fix Sea Salt Spray Gel
Enhance volume and build a natural beachy texture with this sea salt spray and gel that replenishes hair via a nourishing aloe-infused formula.
7. NexGen by Hot Tools Coconut JO Jojoba Serum
This vitamin-rich coconut and jojoba oil-formula hydrates split ends and prevents breakage.
8. All-Nutrient Colorsafe Leave In Detangler
Ideal for hair prone to breakage, this botanical formula eliminates tangles and flyaways while protecting hair against free radicals, UV rays, hard water and other environmental aggressors.
9. Matrix Biolage ExquisiteOil Protective Treatment
Protect and nourish hair while taming frizz with this lightweight oil treatment that adds softness and shine.
10. Redken Frizz Dismiss FPF 40 Rebel Tame
This leave-in smoothing control cream tames coarse hair in humidity, providing control and manageability while protecting from heat styling.
11. Truss Miracle Fast Repair Trio
The Miracle Shampoo and Lipo-Nutrient formula, used in conjunction with the Intensive Nutrition Mask (formulas are infused with vitamins A, B, B1, B2, C, E and K and essential-oil-enriched microspheres) restores shine, condition and manageability.
12. Agadir Hair Shield 450 Deep Fortifying Shampoo
Rebuild the architecture of the hair from the inside out by restoring strength and elasticity while adding vital moisture with this shampoo.
Photography: I © Eric Audras/Onoky/Corbis
