Sometimes we are so preoccupied with remembering to put SPF on our bodies that our hair falls victim to being an afterthought. Protecting your tresses is actually way easier than you think, and we recently got some tips and product recommendations from the Global Artistic Director of Hair Color at Aveda, Ian Michael Black.
Fashion Pulse Daily: There are some hair products out there with SPF in them; is this necessary to protect the locks?
Ian Michael Black: Yes! Hair is exposed to a bevy of environmental aggressors during the summer months – specifically sun, sand and chlorine. Just as you take care and protect your skin during the summer, or year round for that matter, the same rules apply to your hair.
FPD: How can the scalp be protected from the sun’s rays, without weighing down the hair with greasy product?
IMB: Aveda has the best product – the Sun Care Protective Hair Veil. It was created just for this purpose. It’s a lightweight, water-resistant UV defense mist that forms an invisible screen to help protect the scalp and hair from sun exposure for up to 16 hours. It also minimizes color fadage, damage and dryness. Plus it has a light tropical aroma blend with 100% certified organic essences of neroli, ylang ylang and wild-crafted cistus – it smells really nice.
FPD: What is a great ingredient to look for in summer hair-protectant products, and how does it salvage one’s strands?
IMB: Look for natural sun filters such as wintergreen and cinnamon bark. Both are found in our Sun Care and Color Conserve lines.
FPD: When adding another heat/sun protectant into the mix, should another product be cut out so that the hair doesn’t get weighed down?
IMB: Aveda products are designed to be layered – they fall into three categories – prep, style and finish. Daily Hair Repair or Color Conserve plus the Sun Care Veil will work beautifully for styling and protecting the hair from the summer sun.
Ian Michael Black, Aveda’s Global Artistic Director of Hair Color
FPD: Is there a time span for generally how long these products last in the hair, or is it until the next wash?
IMB: If in the sun, products should be applied daily. However, if you’re on vacation or frequently in the water, apply after swimming or top up during the day on the beach as you would your skin’s sun care.
FPD: How would you treat hair, colored or natural, when exposed to the pool (chlorine) versus the ocean?
IMB: Damage is damage is damage. You want to enjoy your time in the pool, but you also want to remove the chlorine as soon and as thoroughly as possible. Aveda Sun Care Hair and Body Wash is a color-safe formula that gently and effectively removes chlorine, salt and product build-up, while helping to maintain moisture balance. It contains a corn-derived chelator removes minerals found in chlorinated pool water which cause discoloration.
FPD: Any other tips or tricks to caring for hair or styling hair in the warmer months?
IMB: Usually a big concern in the hot months is humidity. To keep hair straight and protected from the humidity use Aveda Smooth Infusion Style Prep and Smooth Infusion Glossing Straightener. The Smooth Infusion line contains a blend derived from organic aloe, maize and guar bean that creates a smooth new surface on hair. It significantly reduces frizz and unwanted wave, helps prevent flyaways which is what every woman wants during the summer.
[…] Probably not. I know there is more I could do to protect my own hair in sun-scorched Las Vegas. Fashion Pulse Daily talks to Ian Michael Black, Global Artistic Director of Hair Color at Aveda, and learns why it’s important to protect the scalp from the sun and what ingredients to look for when shopping for hair care. Get hair educated by reading the full interview at Fashion Pulse Daily. […]