Produced by SilverKris for PHS HAIRSCIENCE
Jet-setting to another humid destination? It’s easy to get swept away by all the travel preparations, from booking flights to planning an itinerary. But don’t forget your travel must-haves; clothes and accessories are a given, but equally important are hair and scalp care products that shield against the sun, heat, humidity and other harsh elements.
Whether you plan on freediving into unexplored depths or conquering limestone formations, keep your summer mane in tip-top condition with these expert tips from Arica Sen, a senior education manager at PHS HAIRSCIENCE.
1. Pack a trusty kit
Exploring under the sun for hours can cause dirt, sweat and sebum buildup, so it’s recommended that you wash your head whenever it feels grimy. Sen says, “When the scalp is well-cleansed and cared for, it becomes a good environment for healthy scalp functions. This promotes optimal, natural hair growth and prevents problems like hair breakage or scalp issues. [A clean scalp also] aids in better absorption of other products.”
Though most hotels offer toiletries, Sen advises packing your favourite products that target specific concerns in travel-sized bottles. Start off with ADV Nutrition Shampoo (S$52) containing botanical extracts that deeply purify your mane and scalp without stripping away their natural protective barriers. Then, double cleanse with a correcting shampoo that restores hair moisture and protects the scalp (RES Repair Shampoo, S$54) or one that eliminates dandruff flakes and excess sebum (ADV Purify Shampoo, S$54). Nourish the ends of your hair by leaving the ADV Nutrition Conditioner (S$52) on for a few minutes before rinsing.
Aside from a cleansing set, take an ultra-nourishing, nutrient-enriched product with you. Working hand in hand with olive oil (for soft, manageable locks) and camellia japonica seed oil (to restore natural sheen), the pure argan oil found in ADV Argan Oil (S$88) provides hair with intense moisturisation to shield it against UV stress and pollutants.
2. Stay hydrated
Just as drinking water is essential to regulating body temperature in hot weather, your hair also needs hydrating products to keep it healthy inside out. “High temperature or humidity levels damage the cuticle layer of the hair and rearrange the bonds inside each hair fibre, turning a smooth look into a textured structure. Hair becomes frizzy and tangles easily,” explains Sen.
The solution? Apply leave-on hair products to restore and prevent cuticle damage. Spray the FAB Thermal Care Detangler Hair Mist (S$55) immediately after shampooing to loosen tangles, followed by FAB Anti-Frizz Hair Perfect Treatment (S$76) – an all-in-one lightweight product that moisturises and smoothens as it holds your hairstyle.
3. Give your scalp some TLC
Exposing your head to the elements or wearing a tight cap all day can cause dandruff produced by sweat, overactive sebaceous glands and other factors. For travellers prone to getting pesky flakes, a pre-shampoo treatment such as ADV Purify Daily Essence (S$108) will come in handy. Not only does this treatment eliminate excess oil flakes and product buildup, but it also reduces inflammation and prevents the formation of yeast, bacteria and fungi. Additionally, it is powered by ProLac P3®, which supports the cell’s innate power for cellular renewal.
4. Do pre-swim prep
Saltwater and chlorine can wreak havoc on your tresses, especially when they’re dry or coloured. High levels of sodium draw out moisture from your hair, which can damage the cuticles. Similarly, the strong chemicals used to keep the pool water germ-free cause hair bonds to change their form.
To prevent locks from drying and breaking, Sen suggests applying a soothing scalp tonic and thermal care hair product. She says these can “act like a sunblock to protect against radical damage”. In addition to shielding your hair, the restorative botanical complex found in ADV Soothe Tonic (S$112) works to improve scalp resistance and balance.
5. Indulge in post-sun care
Prolonged exposure to UV rays can make your scalp extra sensitive. Sen reminds travellers heading to warm destinations to “bring along a scalp mask and a soothing gel to help calm the scalp and hair after sun exposure.” For extra hydration and UV protection, slathering a thin coat of FAB Anti-Frizz Hair Perfect Treatment will do the trick!
Packed with panthenol, salicylic acid, hydrolysed silk, grape seed oil, botanical extracts and skin-identical ceramides, RES Recovery Hair & Scalp Mask (S$125) is a dual-function bond repair and scalp care mask that provides deep conditioning care. Best used weekly, the mask more than just heals and revitalises damaged hair bonds. It even increases elasticity, prevents hair protein loss, and strengthens strands against breakage and environmental stressors.
Unlike most hair masks on the market that can only be applied to hair ends, what’s special about this mask is that it can be applied to the scalp too. This helps to rebuild scalp resilience damaged during chemical treatments.
Ease scalp redness, swelling or itching by applying ADV Soothe Soothing Gel (SG62) on the affected areas. The scientifically crafted blend of phyto stem cell, geraniol, apricot kernel oil and perilla leaf extract provides instant scalp pain relief. Even better, the lightweight gel forms a barrier against potential irritants.
All products are available at PHS HAIRSCIENCE’s official website.
