Mermaid Hair? Don’t Care! A Guide to How Saltwater Affects Your Hair

Whether you’re on a tropical vacation or making the most of warm weather at the beach, a dip in the ocean is a perfect way to refresh yourself after a sweaty day in the sun. When you emerge from the waves, your hair begins to dry into soft, beachy waves that most stylists charge top dollar for– all provided for free by mother nature. However, if you’re exposing your hair to saltwater, it’s best to know the pros and cons of what it can do. Here is our guide to how saltwater affects your hair.

What is Salt Water, and What are Its Benefits?

As its name implies, salt water’s composition consists of sodium chloride, which is also known as table salt. As an ionic compound, there are both positive (sodium) and negative (chloride) ions that counteract, and these both exist in free-flowing solutions like water.

This composition makes saltwater a perfect ingredient to remove grease, exfoliate, and remove dead skin cells and dirt while still leaving behind a natural compound. You’ve likely seen “salt scrubs” from various beauty brands, and this is because using salt as a cleansing and exfoliating agent is gentle, yet effective at removing excess oils. Skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis also benefit from the minerals and healing properties of saltwater.

Pros of Salt Water for Your Hair

For people with oily hair, saltwater can be an excellent way to remove the excess oil produced by the sebaceous glands. If dandruff is a chronic issue, saltwater can also gently exfoliate the scalp and remove dead skin cells. As a styling tool, saltwater also provides friction between strands of hair, instantly adding volume and texture to hair. A swim in saltwater, or the use of a salt-based scalp scrub, can leave your hair smooth, oil-free, and ready for a night out.

Cons of Salt Water for Your Hair

While saltwater might be heaven for oily hair, it can wreak havoc on dry hair. Salt’s natural drying properties can exacerbate dry strands by evaporating water from hair through osmosis. The result is crunchy, brittle locks that are more prone to breakage and split ends. Since saltwater also opens up your hair’s cuticles, this can also be problematic for those with color-treated hair. Expect color to fade or appear dull as it’s exposed to saltwater.

Salt water’s amazing benefits for skin, scalp, and hair are quite beneficial, but be advised of some of the negative impacts for colored or dry hair.

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http://hairmomentum.com/salt-water-hair-good-bad/