How to prepare your skin and hair for summer

Collagen, antioxidants... how to properly prepare your skin and hair for summer

Summer is here, and while tanning by the water always means good times, you need to be careful. The sun, sea water and chlorinated water all have damaging effects on the skin and hair that can be limited. Don't wait until you're on holiday to think about it: preparation is just as important to keep your skin toned and your hair supple, and to achieve a glowing tan throughout the summer season.

Beautiful skin on the outside is built from the inside

Contrary to what you might think at first, it isn't the preparation of the skin's outer surface that produces the best results. Good hydration and a plumping effect from collagen creams are needed all year round to reduce the signs of ageing, but they aren't enough on their own.

They only affect the skin's surface layers, whereas the ultraviolet rays emitted by the sun penetrate more deeply, especially UVA rays. These are precisely the ones responsible for premature skin ageing. They can even cause damage to DNA! It is therefore absolutely essential to protect the deeper layers of the skin.

A good diet and dietary supplements will help you. Your first ally is collagen powder. Collagen is one of the main components of our skin and gives it, among other things, its suppleness. As summer approaches, a course of collagen will restore maximum vitality to the skin so it's ready to withstand the assault of UV rays.

This is especially true after the age of 30, since the body's natural collagen production begins to decline at that age.

Alongside collagen, two other supplements can help you: vitamin E and beta-carotene. The first is a powerful antioxidant that prevents cellular ageing. The second stimulates melanin production to make it easier to achieve a glowing tan. People often say carrots give you a healthy glow, and now you know why.

But good preparation shouldn't make you forget the essential steps when the time comes. A sunburn, even a mild one, is always harmful to the skin. Never forget to protect yourself with sunscreen during exposure. Choose a protection factor suited to your tan, even if you have naturally dark skin. Also opt for creams with mineral filters, which are less likely to cause allergies and more environmentally friendly, yet just as effective as chemical filters.

Add collagen for your hair too

The sun is the main enemy of your skin during the summer, but water can also be formidable, especially for your hair. Sea water, like chlorinated water, is harsh on your scalp. After a day at the beach or the pool, it's common to have dry, brittle hair, as you've surely already noticed.

Over the days, the damage adds up, and by the end of the season your hair no longer looks as beautiful as it did in spring. Like your skin, it gets its suppleness and shine from collagen. Adding it to your hair-care routine ahead of summer will help you keep a healthy, supple scalp as well as radiant hair. In addition, you can use strengthening shampoos and conditioners so your hair can better withstand the challenges of sun and water.

After each swim, it's advisable to rinse your hair and skin with clean water whenever possible. This will help remove some of the salt from sea water and the chlorine from the pool. Particularly corrosive, they can cause irritation of the scalp and skin. When you get home, hop in the shower for a deep cleanse, preferably with an "after sun" shampoo. Once summer is over, you can also adopt an "after sun" routine, which is important for recovering and, above all, prolonging your tan.