Summer Buyers' Guide: Hair Care

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Wednesday, 30 January 2008

This summer, go for new products that pamper and protect your hair. And don't forget a big-brimmed hat like Courtney Cox wears to protect her complexion from sun damage (and the paparazzi).

By Denise Mann

Riding the newest wave in summer hair care are sprays, shampoos, and conditioners that contain UV filters -- perfect for the summer months.

"With sun damage and exposure, hair can become more brittle. It can also become discolored with chlorine, especially for those who color their hair," says Ellen Marmur, MD, chief of dermatologic and cosmetic surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. "There are extra-strong products to remove chlorine and remoisturize the hair and protect it from breaking, which I think it are worth it."

Parsol SLX is new this summer. Silicone-based, it purports to fight the harsh effects of UV rays that can cause color to fade and hair to break. At the same time, it conditions and moisturizes hair. Look for it to appear in more and more products.

Also, leave-in conditioner or styling crèmes are useful even if you haven't shampooed your hair. They provide extra moisturizing after you've spent a day in the summer sun. Above all, don't forget to wear a hat. From straw cowboy hats and sporty visors to your favorite team's baseball cap, hats with broad rims are stylish this season. They also protect the face from the sun. "Find one you like that fits your face and wear it," says Bruce E. Katz, MD, medical director of the JUVA Skin and Laser Center in New York City.

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SOURCES: Ellen Marmur, MD, chief of dermatologic and cosmetic surgery, Mount Sinai Medical Center. New York City. Bruce E. Katz, MD, medical director, JUVA Skin and Laser Center, New York City.