Why your hair feels different after a holiday & what to do about it
Exotic escapes can cause dryness, damage and colour fade.
Summer holidays are so much fun, but days of sun, sizzling temperatures, seawater and swimming pools can have a drastic effect on your hair. But with the right preparation before you go and aftercare when you get back, you can minimise the impact of travel on your tresses. Here, creative director Charlotte Lewis explains everything you need to know about post-holiday hair repair.
WHAT DOES HAIR LOOK AND FEEL LIKE AFTER A SUMMER HOLIDAY?
“After a holiday, my clients are often dealing with extra dryness and frizziness, and sometimes the colour will have changed, usually going lighter. Dryness is the most common complaint, and hair can have a rough texture. Chlorine can be very drying, and it can actually change the colour of the hair. If blondes have had their colour done just before they go on holiday, it can sometimes go green, and even for brunettes, sometimes the chlorine can chemically mix with the colorants in the hair and change them.”
WHAT CAUSES HOLIDAY HAIR DAMAGE?
“The lightening of colour, either natural or dye, is predominantly because of sun exposure. UV rays break down melanin and dye pigments, and that can cause dryness as well. Chlorine and seawater cause dryness too by stripping away oils, and if you sit in the sun with pool or seawater on your hair that exacerbates the effect even more. Sometimes the change of water hardness in another country may feel different on the hair too.”
HOW CAN YOU PREVENT HAIR DAMAGE ON HOLIDAY?
“If they’re spending a day at the beach or pool, I always advise clients to wet their hair before they get into the water. If your hair's completely dry and you go into chlorinated water, that opens the cuticle and more is absorbed by the hair shaft. It’s even better if you put a mask on and leave it in, for example, Shu Uemura Urban Moisture Treatment.
“To prevent colour fade from the sun you need a serum with UV protection like Shu Uemura Essence Absolue, which is my holy grail product for holidays. You can use it before, during or after sun exposure. If you've got fine hair you just need to use a little bit less. Oribe Hair Alchemy Fortifying Serum is another great option because it has protein in it.
“When you’re getting ready to go out for the evening after a day in the sun, wash your hair thoroughly and style it as normal. Blondes might prefer to take a purple shampoo or conditioner with them to neutralise brassy tones, or a cleansing shampoo like L’Oreal Metal Detox to make sure you're getting any impurities out of the hair.”
HOW CAN YOU RESTORE COLOUR AND CONDITION AFTER YOUR HOLIDAY?
“A lot of the time I see that client's hair tends to be much lighter when they’ve come back from holiday, so when they come back into the salon we’ll discuss how they feel about it, if they’re enjoying the lightness or want to tone it down to get it back to a similar shade to what they had before.
“They may need a trim or a treatment as well, because sometimes that summer dryness can accelerate split ends, or the hair can be slightly drier on the lengths and ends. It’s about getting them ready for the next stage of their colour, because a lot of the time when clients come in for a September appointment they want to go that bit darker to get ready for autumn.”
HOW CAN SALON TREATMENTS HELP AFTER A HOLIDAY?
“Repairing sun-damaged hair requires a combination of moisture and protein. Those are the two main factors that you need to pump back into the hair to rebuild strength and close the cuticle down so it lays flatter, creating a smoother and shinier end result – and salon treatments can make all the difference.
“The K18 bond-building treatment is a great option, especially with a colour appointment – I would recommend that for somebody who has extreme dryness. For a quick-fix we might do a two-part Kérastase Fusio Dose treatment, choosing a base and booster for dry or damaged hair, then the client can come back in before their next colour appointment for a more intense treatment like the Collagen Infusion Treatment, which delivers moisture and the protein together.”
WHAT ARE THE BEST HAIR PRODUCTS TO USE AFTER A HOLIDAY?
“After a holiday, you can help get your hair back to its healthiest condition with at-home products that cleanse gently and add lots of hydration. Iles Formula is great for this. The shampoo is designed to remove hard water deposits and the mask is very nourishing. L’Oreal Metal Detox is similar because it’s got a shampoo and mask, and the Urban Moisture collection from Shu Uemura is really hydrating.”
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Why does my hair feel dry after I've been on holiday?
A: Sun, chlorine, seawater and even different water hardness abroad all strip moisture and oils from hair. UV rays break down melanin and dye pigments, weakening the hair shaft, while chlorine and salt draw out natural oils, leaving hair rough, frizzy, dry and lacking shine.
Q: Can the sun damage hair permanently?
A: Not permanently, but it can cause real damage if unprotected. UV rays break down melanin and colour pigments, lightening hair and drying it out. The good news is it's reversible with the right combination of salon treatments and home haircare products.
Q: Does chlorine damage hair?
A: Yes. Chlorine strips away natural oils and opens the hair cuticle, letting more chlorine absorb into the shaft. It can also react with dye pigments, sometimes turning blonde hair green. Wetting hair before swimming reduces how much it soaks in.
Q: What's the best treatment for damaged holiday hair?
A: Repair needs both moisture and protein. A K18 bond-building treatment works well alongside colour, especially for extreme dryness. For a quicker fix, a two-part Kérastase Fusio-Dose treatment (base and booster for dry or damaged hair) restores condition fast while a Collagen Infusion Treatment offers an intensive option for extreme damage.
Q: Should I cut my hair after a holiday?
A: Often, yes. Sun and salt exposure can accelerate split ends, so it’s best to cut them off to stop them getting worse. Now is also a good time to reassess your colour and condition before your next appointment, getting your hair ready for the season ahead.
Give your hair a holiday
Many of the elements that make a holiday wonderful – warm weather, long days on the beach and splashing around in the sea – can, unfortunately, dry out your hair and fade your colour.
There are lots of ways to minimise the effects, however. By taking protective products with you and indulging in some restorative treatments and a trim when you get back, you’ll soon have your hair back to its usual glossy best.
Ready for your post-holiday trim or colour refresh? Book your next appointment at Paul Edmonds London.
