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Business & Tech

Protect Hair From Florida's Heat and Humidity

Our hair constantly fights against sun, sea, humidity and color processing. Find out why you may not need to wash your hair every day, and how to protect your hair against summer stresses.

The warm weather does more than lure us to a pool or beach party. The sun, sea and chlorine can damage our hair. We spend a lot of time and money on getting the style, cut and color we want.

So, what's a woman to do? Cross off the local drum circle or beach party from the calender?

You won't have to skip your social dates. With some helpful tips, you can keep your locks smooth and healthy.

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Patch interviewed  hair stylist and designer, Nicole Westlake and associate, Rich Keeley for hair care tips.

1. To Shampoo Daily or Not To Shampoo?

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If your mantra is a daily wash, then you may want to reconsider.

"If you've washed your hair that night and you go out for a little, then don't shampoo. Use conditioner," Keeley said.

The conditioner will keep your hair healthy without stripping away oils.

"Conditioner isn't for every day cleaning, but you don't have to shampoo every day," Keeley said.

2. Fight Water With Water

If you're headed to the beach or pool, your hair will get damaged by the sea or chlorinated water.

"Wet hair first in the shower," Keeley said.

Don't dip into the pool or ocean with dry hair. Before you head outside, wet your hair at home.

"If it's full of fresh water, your hair won't soak up the salt water or chlorine," Westlake explained.

3. Build and Strengthen

This time of year, our hair feels dried out from the salt water and sun.

Westlake recommends using Redken Extreme Strength and Builder Plus.

"Any time you're in the sun, or doing something damaging, like going in a pool," Westlake said.

"It puts protein back in the hair," Keeley said.

You can even use the product as pre-party protection.

"If I'm going to the beach, I'll shampoo my hair first and put in this conditioner. Once I'm home, I'll rinse the beach off me, and my hair is silky smooth," Westgate said.

4. Tame Frizzy Locks

The humid weather does more than send waves of heat. It can send your hair into a wild, frizzy mess.

Keeley recommends Agadir Arga Oil for frizz protection. It's humidity resistant, and it adds protective sunscreen, antioxidants and vitamin E.

"Less is more. Three pumps, and no more. You can spray it in your hand and rub it through your hair, or spray directly in your hair," Keeley said.

You can use it on wet or dry hair. For a neat benefit, you'll spend less time under the blow dryer. The product speeds drying time by up to 50 percent.

Once your style is in place, protect it with a finishing spray.

Westlake suggests Redken Forceful 23. It provides up to 24-hour humectants.

5. Prep and Protect

As we head toward the cooler, fall weather, women often change their hair color and choose something darker. Low lights are popular color changes for fall months.

"Start prepping at home before you get low lights," Westlake said.

She recommends Pureology Perfect 4 Platinum, a new line strictly for blondes. The Miracle Fuller, Antifade Complex helps moisturize and nourish dry hair from the effects of multiple processing.

"It's an at-home treatment to help rich, fall shades stay," Westlake said.

"The shampoo has a slight purple tint to it, which protects against brassiness."

A Little Goes a Long Way

Enjoy the end-of-summer parties, but be sure to pay extra attention to your hair care routine. You'll save your hair from further damage and look smashing. Some of these tips will even save you time, all while you're protecting your tresses.

Your friends may wonder why your hair doesn't look as fried and fragile as theirs.

If they're really good friends, you should probably share your secret.

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