Ron King: Tips For Keeping Strands Safe During the Summer

by The Style King/Ron King on Monday, June 7, 2010

Ron King has worked as a hairstylist, transforming people’s appearances, for more than 20 years. With a growing celebrity clientele, King travels the world taking inspiration from different cultures and countries. Along the way, he has developed his own “easy wear” style philosophy which plays up a woman’s natural hair texture and pairs it with natural-looking makeup that’s easy to apply. This mantra led him to launch a signature line of cosmetics for women who want to look pulled together but who are are short on time. King has worked with some of the most respected names in the industry, including L’Oreal Professional, Ted Gibson, Eva Scrivo and Rick Wellman.

Many of your clients will be taking seaside romps this summer, which might seem like a good idea, but it can wreak havoc on their hair if it’s not properly protected from the sun and surf. Just as UVA and UVB rays can damage skin, they can also zap hair of moisture and color, leaving your clients with fraying ends and weakened hair overall, from the cuticle to the inner part of their strands. Doling out a little advice on the importance of sun protection in hair care, which will keep their locks luscious, is imperative. Read my tips below for some summertime inspiration:

- Use shampoos and conditioners with UV protection. Although not a perfect solution for sun-damaged hair since they rinse off, they will aid a bit and any additional help in the fight against hair damage is worth trying.

- On the other hand, using styling products with sun protection built into them is ideal since they are left to soak into the hair. Advising your clients to use products, leave-in conditioners and sprays might be their best option, with an SPF of 10-15 and applying generously before heading out for some fun in the sun.

- Wear a hat. As simple and old-fashioned as it sounds, hats not only protect your hair from the sun’s harmful rays but also shade your facial skin, which everyone could use. This will absolutely guarantee complete sun protection, and there are many stylish hat options currently, with a wide-brimmed, straw hat being perhaps the most protective and fabulous one.

- If your clients are wary of trying hair products with built in sun protection or don’t want to sport a hat, suggest they make their own hair SPF. An easy way to do so is to dilute 2 teaspoons of regular sunblock with an SPF of 25 with a cup of regular water. Using a spray bottle, then spray the hair while it’s damp and style as usual. This solution can even be reapplied throughout the day for added protection.

- Protect the scalp from peeling and damage. The scalp is one of the most common places for a sunburn but the solution to this problem is easy… Simply have your clients apply sunblock to their part when they are outdoors.

- Have them avoid sun-activated lightening treatments. Whether it is a homemade concoction involving lemon juice or a store-bought spray, these contain alcohol or peroxide usually, which will cause hair to dry out even faster throughout the summer.

- Moisturize, moisturize. A little bit of sun damage to hair is inevitable during the summer but have your clients combat this by conditioning daily in addition to using a weekly deep-conditioning treatment. Recommend using one with protein or keratin, which will strengthen hair.

- If possible, minimize the time spent in water as well. I know this is a tall order during the warmer months, but salt water and/or chlorine will wreck the quality of hair through prolonged exposure just as the sun would. Clients should keep tabs on this, opt to wear a swimming cap or simply keep their head above water when possible.

- Finally, if they are using hair care products with UV protection, have your clients use a clarifying shampoo once a week to prevent the products from leaving a residue and building up on the hair shaft.