Nothing says “I’ve had a great summer!” like snarling split ends and bleached out locks. If you spent your days lounging by the pool or boating on the Gulf, frazzled hair is to be expected – and Fall is the time to start reconditioning it!

But the kind of conditioner you should use depends on the state of your hair. Is it dry? Fragile? Tangled? Or perhaps just frizzed out?

Determining the stage your hair has entered is the first step. The next is to find its cure amongst the six conditioning categories: moisturizers, reconstructors, detanglers, thermal protectors, glossers and oils.

Moisturizers do just that … moisturize your dry hair. The moisture is attracted and held in by an ingredient called humectant, which is found in almost all brands.

Reconstructors are used to strengthen your hair. If this is your need, I suggest you choose products like Joico K-PAK Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor (www.Joico.com), which contains hydrolyzed human hair keratin protein (an excellent source of 19 amino acids already found in your hair).

Tangles are caused by open hair cuticles; detanglers work to close them. Detanglers are light formulas that come in sprays or creams. Once applied, you can expect to wait 1-5 minutes before they work; but when they do, getting a comb or brush through your hair will be much easier.

Thermal protectors, as the name suggests, protect hair from heat. Anyone who uses a blow dryer, curling iron or flat iron should also use this type of conditioner. Thermal protectors can be found at most beauty stores, but (for the price) I suggest you check out Paul Mitchell Seal & Shine (www.PaulMitchell.com).

If you suffer from the “frizzies,” try a glosser. Glossers are more of a cosmetic fix than a long-term solution. Most contain very light oils and (if used sparingly) will make your hair shine and reflect light.

If your hair has been colored or permed, it’s been stripped of a natural oil called sebum. To make up for it, I suggest the use of an oil-based conditioner with Essential Fatty Acids (the closest thing to natural oil that’s available). EFA can transform your porous, dry mop into soft, luxurious hair. Vitamin E enriched oil-based conditioners are also a good call.

Joico and Paul Mitchell both carry excellent products in each of the above conditioning categories; however, it’s not wise to depend solely on product to properly restore your mane. Your diet is a key component (junk food junkies are more obvious that dark roots), as is your lifestyle and your daily hair care regiment.

Increasing you calcium intake can help condition your strands from within; while a diet rich in iron and minerals can promote your body’s production of natural oils. If your hair is already oily, cut back on the fatty, fried foods and drink plenty of water.

Natural remedies that contain essential oils (i.e., rosemary, ylang-ylang and West Indian Bay) can stimulate your hair’s growth. And pucker up, because freshly squeezed lemon juice that’s diluted with water is an excellent last rinse that gives hair that extra bounce and shine.

 

In terms of your hair’s care, brush it every night to help bring out its natural oils; and ensure that it’s trimmed every seven weeks to keep split ends under control. And lastly, don’t blow-dry your hair on your days off (if it can be avoided).

 

No matter the symptoms brought on by summer, a good conditioner, a better diet and a little extra TLC will have your locks soon back to lovely … just in time for the holidays.

About the Author:

Elizabeth Graham is a Master Stylist and Skin Care Specialist, as well as the owner of and lead facialist for Forever Beautiful Salon & Day Spa. For more information visit the UC Buyer's Guide.