The summer sun means tanning, sand, parties and swimming. It’s all fabulous fun, but it in the end it can cause some serious damage to your locks. Think coarse, dry hair and breakage. And those gorgeous highlights? If you’re not careful, they’ll fade faster than you can say “suntan”. Chlorine can even cause your hair to turn a mean shade of green. According to Don Bewley, founder of eco-friendly hair company Eufora International, these are the top 3 culprits when it comes to summer hair damage:

Issue #1 – Sun Damage:

“Think about a fabric exposed to the sun: it fades and so will hair color,” said Bewley. The more time you spend outside, the more the sun’s UVA and UVB rays will fade your hair color, especially during the summer. Photochemical degradation of hair is the result of light radiation attacking hair proteins, the cell membrane and hair pigments. Essentially, amino acids in the cuticle are damaged creating dry, brittle hair with many flyaways.

Issue #2 – Ocean Water/Air Exposure:

Moisture-depleting sea air and water can really do a number on hair, especially when combined with sunlight. Oxidation occurs when hair is exposed to water, air or sun and even moderate exposure can fade color. To define oxidation, it is anything (i.e. water, air or sun) that adds oxygen to what it contacts. Free radicals are byproducts of oxidation that can interfere with normal cell function and seriously damage cells.

Issue #3 – Chlorine:

Chlorine is used to kill bacteria in drinking water and pools, but keep in mind it is also used in bleach to remove pigment in color. Not only does chlorine discolor hair, it damages proteins in the cuticle.

Thankfully, with a few adjustments to a hair care routine, summer hair damage can be minimized. How do you protect your strands and keep them moisturized? Follow these tips from Bewley:

Recommendation #1: Use Protection

Hair products that provide sun protection from UVA and UVB rays should be used year-round, but during the summer it is the most critical. Multiple products offering sun protection can be layered for increased protection including leave-in conditioners, styling and finishing products.

• Eufora product recommendations: Hydration Leave-in Conditioner, Piece Works Defining Paste, Formatte Finishing Creme, Elevate Finishing Spray

Recommendation #2: Detox

Use a quality, nondrying chelating shampoo, often referred to as a clarifying shampoo, at least once per week and more often for avid swimmers. Chelating shampoos will remove mineral buildup and environmental pollutants. They also help prevent green hair. Choose an EDTA and sulfate-free shampoo to ensure hair is not stripped of it’s health and hair color.

• Eufora product recommendations: Urgent Repair Shampoo, A Detoxifying Treatment

Recommendation #3: Moisturizing Treatments

A moisturizing treatment or mask is crucial in keeping hair nourished and looking great. Choose a protein and nutrient rich product and don’t skimp on the time. Leave it on for at least 15 minutes to ensure proper penetration of the hair shaft. Here’s a tip…apply the treatment and leave it on while lounging by the pool.

• Eufora product recommendations: Urgent Repair Replenishing Treatment

Recommendation #4: Antioxidants

One more important summer survival must: choose products containing effective antioxidants the same way we choose foods rich with antioxidants like Vitamins A, C, E, selenium and zinc. Antioxidants work to neutralize free radicals before damage can be done to hair.

• Eufora product recommendations: Piece Works Defining Paste

Find a Eufora retailer near you by logging on to Eufora.net

About Don Bewley

A 30-year veteran of the salon professional industry, Don Bewley is one of the few hairdresser/owners of a salon professional corporation today. Don founded Eufora International with his wife, Beth, just over 10 years ago with the mission and vision of serving independent salons.

Don’s career began in New York City where he trained with the industry’s best and learned to become a talented stylist. He went on to own multiple profitable salon locations and was recognized as one of the top 5 retailing salons in North America. Frustrated by dwindling lack of commitment from professional hair care manufacturers and widespread diversion of salon professional products, Don decided to create a solution to the problem. “Hairdressers built this industry and they deserve to reap the rewards”, says Don, “I believe in the power and talent of my peers, and as a proud hairdresser myself, I know that greater success is possible through the right education and a committed manufacturer who is dedicated to more than just selling products.”

Eufora, now one of North America’s fastest growing professional companies, has built its success by providing unique, top performance “People and Planet Friendly” products. Eufora products are exclusively sold through independent and carefully hand picked salons, as they have been since day one. Don and Beth are proud to have created a company that provides real solutions for your hair.

Eufora believes that passion requires careful cultivation, always driving the integrity and success of their brand by the desire and passion to improve your hair, skin and health!

About Eufora International

Since 1997, Eufora Intl. has used advanced botanical technology to create people and planet-friendly salon professional products that protect, preserve and promote hair health. Products provide the legendary healing benefits of Certified Organic Aloe Vera Gel in an optimum quality concentration as the base for formulations. In addition, Eufora uses the most sophisticated botanical ingredients available that have been scientifically proven to benefit hair, scalp and skin, and pure essential oils to create an aromatherapy experience.