by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
Swimming is fun, but what it can do to your hair certainly is not. If your hair looks like you just stuck your finger in an electrical outlet and a bleach factory at the time every time you swim, then this is for you. Even if that hasn't happened to you yet, know that it can. Chlorine is not good for your hair at all. It can cause frizziness, dryness, split ends, bleaching, and more. You need some damage control for your hair before and after swimming. As someone who has personally dealt with various types of hair on myself, my kids, and other family members, I have learned quite a bit about hair.
Condition Hair Before a Swim Before swimming, it is wise to condition the hair very well. A deep conditioner is really good for this. For deep conditioning, I like my homemade avocado conditioner. It helps to protect the hair from root to tip, as well as prevents breakage and provides excellent moisture for all types of hair. Conditioning the hair before a swim can help keep it moisturized, which will help fight against the damage that chlorine can cause. Do a Hot Oil Treatment on Hair Before a Swim For extra moisture protection, as well as strength and overall protection from the chlorine, a hot oil treatment can be good before a swim. A tea tree oil blend is a good choice to use as a hot oil treatment. Simply take your hair oil of choice, heat it in a small microwaveable container for 15 seconds and smooth into the hair. Be sure to cover all areas and comb in. Leave the treatment on the hair during the swim for the most effective chlorine protection. Wash and Condition Hair After a Swim After swimming, the hair can have buildup and residue from the chlorine. It is important to wash all the chlorine out of the hair to prevent damage. In addition to depleting moisture, chlorine also can fade the color or even bleach the hair. I recommend using my homemade clarifying shampoo (the baking/soda vinegar blend). After a good washing, also be sure to condition the hair to restore moisture. A deep conditioning again with the homemade avocado treatment is a great idea and will help keep that moisture in and fight the dryness and frizz. Even though the avocado blend can double as a conditioning shampoo, the clarifying blend is necessary to remove the damaging particles contained in the chlorine. Apply Tea Tree Oil to Hair After a Swim After a swim, once the hair has been washed and conditioned, apply a tea tree oil blend for added moisture and protection. Tea tree oil is good for damage control, moisture, treating dry scalp, and fighting the fade. Tea tree oil also happens to be a fungus fighter and can repair breakage and split ends, which can help keep the hair healthy and strong. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff If either you or your child has been expressing interest in a summer haircut, there are many things to consider. Perhaps your child is not interested in the haircut or maybe you are the one questioning the idea. While a summer haircut may be right for some kids, it may not be for everyone. I've discussed this topic with all of my kids at some point. Together, you and your child can make an informed decision after considering all the options.
Is your child getting hot too easily? This is one of the biggest reasons people opt for shorter hairstyles during the summer. Kids are no different. If your child's hair is contributing to the heat, a haircut may help with some ventilation. Some people may instead opt to keep the child's hair in a bun, braid, or ponytail. Some kids may feel more freedom when they don't need to tie their hair back in this way. That's when a shorter cut can come in handy. How quickly does your child's hair grow back? If your child's hair grows quickly, it may not be a big deal to cut it for the summer. On the other hand, if you have a hard time getting your child's hair to grow, you may not want to do much more than trimming. If your child prefers length and it takes a long time to get there, a short hair cut may not be a very good idea. My son loves it every time I cut his hair. However, his hair grows back extremely fast. None of my girls will allow their hair to be cut by much. One has hair that grows back fast and the other two do not. How attached is your child to the longer hair? Some kids are very attached to their hair. Other than trimmings and cutting the bangs, none of my girls like to get theirs cut short, summer or not. If your child likes longer hair, you should consider those feelings before deciding to cut it all off. My well-intentioned mom made a mistake in this area when I was a kid. It was summertime and she was trying to cool me off. I ended up with a very short hair cut and I was saddened about my long hair being missing for quite a long time. To this day, my hair has still never returned to that length. Therefore, whenever I think about giving my kids a haircut, I keep that in mind. What look does your child prefer? Whenever you do anything regarding a child's look, you should always ask that person first. Talk to your child about preferred styles. Your child should always be happy with the decision. Some kids just do not like short hair, even if it feels breezier that way. Other kids aren't happy with longer hair. No matter how cute you may think a summer haircut will be on your kid, ultimately it's not your choice to make. Unless you are dealing with a baby, your child should have the final say in whether a summer haircut is ideal. At the end of the day, it's just hair. In the grand scheme of things, does a hairstyle really matter? There are so many more important things in the world to be considering. If your child is the one who wants the haircut and you are the one attached to the hair, remember that it's just hair. Hair does grow back eventually in most cases. You can also explain this to your child so that all options are covered. It will be easier for you and your child to come to a decision when all points are presented. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network Trying to cut back on your budget, but just have no idea how to do that with your hair? We all get used to a certain way of getting our hair to behave. Sometimes, we even think our way is the only way. But, there are more ways than one to style that hair and they don't all require a hefty spending budget. My favorite styling products for hair are non-traditional and cost far less than many traditional methods.
Vinegar Vinegar for hair? Yes, vinegar can be used as a rinse or even as shampoo, when combined with baking soda. Vinegar cleanses the hair of impurities and works great as a substitute for clarifying shampoo. Best of all, it's pretty inexpensive at only a couple bucks for a whole gallon. It's also a great dandruff fighter and gives hair shine when used often. Baking Soda As mentioned above, when combined with vinegar, baking soda makes a great shampoo. The baking soda can help create softness and shine. It also is a good scrubbing agent to make sure the hair gets clean. The first wash might give the hair an odd texture, but continuous use will soften the hair and leave it manageable. Baking soda is very budget-friendly, costing less than $1 for a decent amount. Hollywood Beauty Tea Tree Oil Anyone who's read my hair or beauty articles has likely seen me mention tea tree oil. I prefer the pure organic tea tree oil, but when on a budget, Hollywood Beauty has my solution. Tea tree oil can be used in most hairstyles and creates shine, helps growth, fights fungus and bacteria, fights dry scalp and dandruff, and much more. Most drugstores and grocery stores carry the Hollywood Beauty version of tea tree oil. Check near the ethnic hair products. It's actually a blend of a few different oils, but it works great and at about $3, it's more cost-effective than pure tea tree oil. Pure tea tree oil would need to be blended with other oils for extended use on skin and hair, anyhow. |
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Lyn Lomasi is founder and owner of the Brand Shamans Content Community. Services include ordained soul therapy and healing ministry, business success coaching, business success services, handcrafted healing jewelry, ethereal and anointing oils, altar and spiritual supplies and services, handcrafted healing beauty products, and more!
Lyn is your brand healing, soul healing, marketing & content superhero to the rescue! While rescuing civilians from boring business practices and energy vampires, this awesomely crazy family conquers evil and creates change. They live among tigers, dragons, mermaids, unicorns, and other fantastic energies, teaching others to claim their own power and do the same. By supporting us, you support a dedicated parent, healer, and minority small business that donates to several causes. Profits from our all-inclusive store, Intent-sive Nature support these causes and our beautiful family! HIRE OR SHOP WITH LYN | CONTACT LYN Archives
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