Damage Repair Shampoo - Helps Protect Your Hair During Summer

Author: Shubham Ray

Running our hair under high temperatures during the summer and exposure to bright sunlight puts it through several stresses that can cause a lot of harm. Summer is widely known to strike with high temperatures and extended sun exposure, which is not very friendly to our hair. Here's how these elements wreak havoc on your hair:

Heat Damage

  1. Dehydration: Excess heat creates shrinkage of the hair shafts, making hair more vulnerable to heat damage because the hair strands expand and contract with changes in climate. We all know the disastrous effect of heat on our hair.
  2. Weakened Hair Structure: At extremely high temperatures, the bonds between the hair shaft and the protein known as keratin, which gives hair strength and flexibility, can be disrupted, thus making hair weak.
  3. Frizz and Flyaways: Humidity makes hair cuticle open up to allow the moisture, in this case heat, to penetrate into the hair shaft. This results in frizzy hair, wide hair strands, and hair loss, and should not be mistaken for smooth hair or hair with finesse and shine.

UV Damage

  1. Color Fading: For instance, ultraviolet (UV) rays have a way of affecting the melanin production in your hair, and as you know, color-treated hair is likely to show some signs of wear and tear as compared to normal hair. We have even seen natural hair color lose its shine.
  2. Protein Breakdown: When exposed to UV rays, hair loses its natural moisture, and the proteins that keep it healthy and attractive are damaged. The loss of protein compromises the hair shaft and makes hair more vulnerable to snapping, as well as the formation of split ends.
  3. Surface Damage: UV rays can damage the cuticle, which acts as the hair's shield, and make hair rough and dull. It causes a roughening of the hair surface, which has a negative effect on its porosity and makes it easy to entangle and difficult to hold moisture.

Protective Measures

  • Use Leave-in Conditioners and Hair Masks: These supply additional water needed in the hair and assist in the formation of an armor-like structure to protect hair from these factors.
  • Wear Hats or Scarves: Regardless of the occasion, you can cover your hair with hats or scarves to avoid exposure to direct sunlight.
  • Opt for UV-Protective Products: UV filters can also be used a lot in shampoos, conditioners, and even hair sprays to be able to protect them from the sun.

Knowing how heat and UV rays affect your hair ensures that you follow the necessary precautions to keep your hair healthy and radiant during these sunny days.

The Science Behind Damage Repair Shampoos: But How Do They Work?

Damage repair shampoos are products that are designed to heal hair that has been subjected to various forms of harsh treatment, such as exposure to the elements, use of hair styling tools, chemicals in haircare products, etc. But what contributes to these shampoos being effective? Let’s move on and gain knowledge about how this product works when it comes to restoring and strengthening your hair.

Key Ingredients in Damage Repair Shampoo and Their Functions

1. Hydrolyzed Proteins

Marketed proteins include keratin, silk, and wheat protein; these deep-penetrating proteins go into the hair shaft to repair it from inside. These protein compounds form a firm bond with the hair keratin, sealing all the porous structure in the hair cuticle, hence making hair stronger as well as protecting it from further damage.

2. Ceramides

Ceramides are fatty substances that are inherent in hair and skin. They enable the layer on the hair shafts, therefore preventing hair from becoming dry and frizzy.

3. Silicones

Silicones, for example, dimethicone and cyclomethicone, actively coat the hair shaft and make it smoother. These create a thin, water-repellent layer on each strand of hair, decrease friction, make the hair shine, and protect it from heat and environmental stressors.

4. Natural Oils and Extracts

Other oils, including argan, coconut, and jojoba oil, help moisturize hair, thus nourishing it. These oils seem to reach the cortex of hair shafts and close the damaged cuticles so that it has a shiny and sealed surface, hence more lustrous.

The Repair Process

1. Cleaning Without Stripping

Damage repair shampoos use milder surfactants to clean the hair without compromising the hair’s natural sebum layer, which is a fundamental requirement for a healthy scalp and hair.

2. Rebuilding and Strengthening

The hydrolyzed proteins restore the structural damage by binding to the exterior of hair, known as the hair cuticle, and the inner part, known as the cortex. This assists in giving the hair a supply of strength and flexibility, which will help it withstand different circumstances of damage in the future.

3. Moisture Retention

The fusion of humectants and natural oils guarantees that the hair is not dry and that brittleness is not experienced. This is even more crucial when hair is directly exposed to summer heat and the dehydrating effects of the ultraviolet radiation it contains.

4. Cuticle Smoothing

Silicones and ceramides bring the cuticle of hair to a level of smoothness, which reduces porosity and static or slip between the hair strands. It not only improves luster but also protects the hair shaft from physical and chemical harshness. Furthermore, it also adds luster to the hair, shielding the hair shaft from wear and tear.

5. Shielding Against Future Damage

Some of the damage repair shampoos have ingredients that coat the hair strand to protect it from other damage. This barrier helps in protecting hair from some effects of basking in the sun, inhaling compounds from the damaging polluted air, and heat styling, which leads to more coat damage.

From Beach to Pool: Protecting Your Hair from Chlorine and Salt

Summer usually equals more time swimming in the sea, at the lake, or in the swimming pool, which, as much fun as it is, has certain drawbacks when it comes to hair health. Chlorine from swimming pools and salt from the sea are also known to have very detrimental effects that result in roughing up your hair and often cause hair breakage due to a lack of necessary oils. Chlorine damages hair due to its ability to penetrate the hair shaft, altering the hair shaft’s chemistry and weakening the cuticle, leading to discoloration, mostly for color-treated hair.

Pros, on the other hand, wet the hair, strip it of hair oils, and leave it dry. To counter these effects, one needs to use a damage hair repair shampoo that can help retain some of the basic moisture in the hair, including strength and elasticity. But before doing that, try to use a shampoo with additives such as hydrolyzed proteins and natural oils on the hair to reduce damage.

On the other hand, it is advised to wet the hair with fresh water before and after swimming, use leave-in conditioners, and wear swim caps to mitigate the harsh impact of chlorine or salt. Therefore, if you follow those steps, you will be able to have fun this summer and also maintain your hair color and health.