Beauty tips for hot months

Along with the scorching heat that marks the arrival of summer, comes a plethora of hair and skincare problems that often prove trying to combat. The fearsome rays of summer sun cause everyone to experience the hassles of increased sweating, drainage of energy, dehydration, harsh sunburns and an additional myriad of skin and hair related issues that make that much sought after bout of ‘fun in the sun’ an uncomfortable feat.

In order to help tackle the merciless heat waves of the summer ahead, VLCC Sri Lanka is sharing a few tricks that you can keep at your disposal, to help reduce the impact of the summer sun on your hair and skin.

Dealing with the weather

Nobody appreciates a head of thoroughly sweaty hair that is impossible to manage and resembles a frizz ball. The added heat and humidity of summer often dishevels and wears out hair, leaving it dry, damaged and increasingly difficult to control. It is imperative to use mild shampoo specific to your hair type to cleanse and preserve its luster. A clarifier should also be used to wash away dirt and other chemicals from the scalp and the hair. In order to preserve the balance of natural hair oils, a rinse with lukewarm water instead of a hot hair wash, should protect hair and maintain its bounce. Blazing heat often sears through the protective layers of one’s hair. To create a shield, make sure to use a conditioner enriched with sunscreen or to apply a pinch of sunscreen on your hair and scalp for that extra bit of protection.

Summertime is when all hair drying appliances should take a lengthened vacation in a nearby cupboard. Rather than opting for the constant use of blow dryers and hair irons (which turn the hair limp), step out into the warm summer winds outside and let the Earth’s natural hair drying system work its magic on your locks. Allowing hair to dry naturally causes less damage to it and keeps it healthier in the long run.  

Keeping in vogue isn’t always the way to go. Always take measure to protect your hair first and prolong its shine by keeping hair coloring and highlighting to a minimum as it causes dryness that leaves hair looking dull and coarse to touch. No summer would be complete without that alluring trip to the pool or beach on a baking hot day. Whilst chlorinated water and salt water do nothing but harm one’s hair, not many are able to disregard the call of a cooling splash and dip in the sweltering heat. To reduce the impact of chlorine or salt on your hair, prior to a swim, wash your hair in fresh water. This causes hair follicles to soak up the fresh water and minimizes the intake of chlorine and salt. After swimming give your hair another fresh water rinse to remove any remaining chemicals from it.

Hair treatments

Other than providing an additional touch to any look or outfit, a hat protects hair from the burning effects of the sun. Hats made from breathable fabrics such as cotton are best and prevent the sun’s rays from penetrating through to the hair.

Preventive measures are worth their weight in gold this summer, but taking a little extra time and effort to nourish your hair, you can maintain its sheen and keep it looking and feeling healthy during the hot summer months. A trip to your nearest VLCC branch will give your hair the added boost it needs to battle harsh conditions caused by excessive heat. VLCC provides numerous solutions for skin hair care related problems. VLCC offers a variety of treatments for a diverse array of problems that can be expected during the summer season. Anti Dandruff treatment, VLCC Hydra Hair (deep conditioning), VLCC Keratin treatment, VLCC clear defense treatment and VLCC hair nourishing treatment are some of the assorted range of hair treatments available to help ease the effects of a scorching summer on your hair. For the summer months, a shorter hairstyle is generally easier to manage and will keep you feeling cooler. If your locks are proving too long and difficult to manage, don’t feel intimidated to whip out a fresh new look and cut down on the length. A well styled and well executed cut can keep your hair looking trendy and fuller. When you’re on the go and a stint at DIY is all you’ve got time for, visit VLCC to learn more about how to prepare a nourishing hair pack suited to your hair type.

Eating right for skin

One’s skin provides a telltale sign of a person’s inner health. Dry and rough skin is often due to EFA deficiency, poor intake of water or Vitamin A. Oily skin usually suggests a diet with an excess of fat and acne is caused by increased oil secretions or blocked oil glands. The heat of summer often aggravates the skin and leaves it prone to a series of discomforts ranging from sunburn to prickly heat. While using sunscreen and maintaining high standards of hygiene are part of looking after one’s skin, a largely significant contributor to the well being of skin is a person’s diet. Clear skin is the direct result of what you eat and is also an accurate reflection of your state of health. If you want to look good and feel great, invest in the long-term benefits of food that makes a real difference throughout your body.

It is important to consume the right nutrients and diet, as is it important to embrace responsibility for one’s health and wellbeing. Essential nutrients for ageless beauty include the following: Essential fatty acids found in oily fish help to nourish your skin and add luster and softness to your complexion.

Incorporating seafood into your summer dishes at least three times each week and having ground flaxseeds are an excellent source of omega-three fatty acids, which promote good skin health. Vitamin A is essential for beautiful soft skin.

A lack of this vitamin can result in rough, dry skin. Cook up a scrumptious salad to cool off the heat, include plenty of dark orange vegetables (carrots, orange, papaya, mango) and dark green vegetables (broccoli, spinach,) all of which are high in vitamin A. Make sure you add a glass of orange juice to your breakfast as Vitamin C helps to fight wrinkles and aids in collagen formation. It also plays a role in the healing process. Citrus fruits such as strawberries, black currants, guavas, kiwi, peppers are all good sources of Vitamin C. This summer, make a healthy snack out of a handful of nuts and seeds rich in Vitamin E such as hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, pumpkin and sunflower seeds as snacks to prevent sagging facial muscles, age spots and provide skin lubrication. To eliminate that washed out look, make sure you get your daily dose of Vitamin B from whole grains, pulses, lean meats which aid in new skin cells formation. Zinc found in shellfish, pulses, pumpkin seeds and whole grain cereals helps your skin to heal quickly and prevent skin infections. Oils, including flaxseed oil, olive oil and sesame oil can also serve as internal moisturizers for smooth, wrinkle-free skin. In order to hydrate skin and keep it moist, soft, supple and clear and help the body to get rid of wastes and toxins, drink at least 8 glasses of water daily; intersperse these with fruit juices, including citrus, apple and pineapple; also vegetable juices, especially carrot, tomato and celery.

 True beauty is a manifestation born from within a person, regardless of how one looks, the essence of a person’s beauty is seeded within them.