The hidden culprit is actually the salt that is in our air from the ocean. There is truth to the terms “beach wave” or “beach frizz” for many of us. It's usually not pretty. Salt is wonderful for detoxing; not so much for the hair.
'Sea water and chlorine both swell the cuticle on the outside layer of the hair, making it look damaged" she said. 'It also makes hair more tangled and knotty, fades colour and irritates the scalp."
Living near the ocean can have some negative effects on our hair. The drawbacks of salty air include frizz and dehydrated dryness, which require much more TLC. Another serious issue is our intense sun and heat, which wreaks havoc on our hair.
A coconut oil hair mask is the best after sun hair conditioner. If your hair is feeling a little dry after a day on the beach, then organic, virgin coconut oil is one of the best beach hair products. It's makes a fantastic after sun hair mask.
Enjoy the salty, post-beach hair look as long as you want, but eventually you'll have to wash it out. Use a mild, moisturizing shampoo, or – if you have thick wavy or curly hair – try 'co-washing' (washing only with conditioner), which doesn't strip the hair shaft of its natural oils and adds in additional moisture.
Salt Water is a No Go: How saltwater affects your hair
Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Actually, your hair when overexposed to salt can become damaged, frizzy, and just a mess. These effects are even worse if your hair has been dyed or processed recently.
The salty water makes it look fuller and feel thicker, and you get to enjoy the best hair day you've had in months. Beach hair is essentially the opposite of dull, lifeless hair. It's got volume, texture, definition.
"Wetting hair with fresh tap water before swimming can keep it from absorbing drying chemicals and salt. Spraying hair with a leave-in conditioner or hair sunscreen will [also] protect those locks."
If you don't wash your hair with fresh water after you finish your swim, the saltwater or chlorinated water can sit in your hair for the rest of the day and make your hair dry out and cracked.
Rinse it out
Even after you're out of the water the salt continues to pull out moisture from your hair. Be sure to use a hydrating shampoo to wash away the chemicals and sea salt.
Like with chlorine, a precautionary strategy diminishes saltwater's damaging effects. “Generously apply a hair mask to damp hair and braid it—don't rinse. is helps to create a barrier so that the saltwater can't penetrate the hair,” offers Smalley.
Sea water contains many nutrients that help your hair to stay healthy. For example, magnesium and potassium are both helpful for keeping the pH of your scalp in check - which is important because having too much alkalinity can cause damage to the structure of proteins found on your hair!
Saltwater may benefit the skin because it contains minerals, such as magnesium, potassium, and calcium, and may have antibacterial properties. Deep sea water may help certain skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, although this may be due to the high nutrient content rather than salt.
Contrary to what you may think, the Florida humidity can have a detrimental effect on your hair, especially in those brutal months like July and August. Depending on the type of hair you have the moisture in the hair from the humid weather will either create frizz or weigh down your curls.
Add a Barrier
Hats rated with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) number are your best bet to minimize hair sun exposure, since they're tested and regulated by the FDA. Otherwise, choose a tightly woven fabric over an open weave straw hat, which can let in harmful rays.
Salt and water create a saline solution that coats the hair and can leave [it] feeling rough even after shampooing,” the stylist explains. Furthermore, continuous exposure to saltwater can make your hair color and toner fade much faster, strip your hair's natural oils, and even make your hair appear dull.
Beach hair is essentially the opposite of dull, lifeless hair. It's got volume, texture, definition. It looks effortless—artfully suspended in perfect form without any effort whatsoever. Except if you haven't been to the beach, in which case you have to work hard for it.
* Keep a leave-in conditioner in your beach bag and apply it regularly. Leave-in conditioners keep hair soft and moist, making it more difficult for sea water to penetrate the hair shaft. A spray formula is a practical choice for the beach.