Taking Care Of Your Hair After A Day At The Beach

It’s still hot and I don’t care what the calendar is saying some of us are still looking for surefire ways to cool down. There’s never enough shade when it’s hot and lounging near pools are great to cool down but nothing and I mean nothing is better than going to beach. Yes, black folks love the beach too and we love to have fun in the sun and play in the ocean.

Whether you are there for a bonfire, volleyball tournament or just to take a dip, the beach is made for summer and even fall. Labor Day is just around the corner many families are still planning trips to the beach before school starts and it makes sense to take the necessary precautions so your day has not ruined your skin or your hair.

What to do about sand

Sand, ugh! It gets everywhere and almost takes root! It’s fun at the beach but sand is a loafer that follows you home and finds its way into crevices and crannies you didn’t even realize you had on you and in your clothes! It is invasive and rough and while it’s a great exfoliate for your skin (watch after your shower how soft your skin and especially your feet are) it’s a nuisance that can become a problem if not properly dealt with.

The easy part is shaking out your clothes and shaking it off of you before getting in the shower and dumping your clothes in the hamper but when it comes to our coily, wavy, and curly hair, it’s not so easy. Here a cool and safe trick to rid your hair of the pesky sand before showering and washing your hair.

Vacuum the sand out of your hair. What? Did she say vacuum??? Yup, I totally did! If you were a good curly girl then you had your hair up in a bun, in twists or braids while frolicking on the beach because it’s great for sand removal with the vacuum later that day.

Even if your hair was loose when you left the beach braid it up so your hair won’t keep getting sucked in the hose. Allow your vacuum hose to suck up all the loose sand granules before you even start taking your twist apart. Part the hair and get all the areas you see sand and go down each and every twist and braid to ensure you get sand you can.

Shake your head to let some of the sand fall while you vacuum at the same time so that the falling ones are caught before they find another home in your hair. It’s the perfect way to get as much sand out of your hair prior to washing so give the vacuum a whirl and see how much easier you make your after-beach clean-up!

What to do about Saltwater/seawater

Saltwater is known for making wavy hair curly and curly hair coily so many curly girls love it! Despite the benefit, saltwater or seawater can dry out your tresses so be smart while at the beach.

Remember to rinse your hair with tap water and add a heavy oil like olive* or coconut* to your tresses to help protect it. Add some cheap conditioner and try keeping your hair in twists, braids, or a high ponytail to combat the sure to follow tangles. Now, go have a blast!

When you are done having fun at the beach make sure to wash your tresses ASAP! Get started with a good rinse for a few minutes to truly get all the elements out of your tresses. Don’t just rely on the shampoo and conditioner to do the job as rinsing can help remove saltwater and any lasting remnants of sand out. Even if you can’t get to your shampoo and conditioner right away make sure to at least rinse your strands if nothing else.

Shampoo with a gentle but effective brand and don’t skimp on the conditioner and deep conditioner*. Use the best products (and even spend a few extra dollars if you can) to really bring your hair back from the seawater.

Stay clear of the heat for a while so your hair gets a break especially if you are going to be in the water and sun a lot the rest of the summer. It’s OK to have fun this summer but remember all of this beach bumming can be hard on your hair so pamper them with great conditioners that are made to moisturize, hydrate and revitalize your strands.

Protecting your hair is not just a winter routine. As we find our summer winding down and we get ready for fall and school, don’t forget that changing seasons may mean changing your hair routines. Don’t skip on the weekly deep conditioning*, monthly protein conditioning or the protection from the sun. Sun damage is real so have fun in the sand, sun and water but be smart and do it right.

How do you take care of your hair after the beach?