Though hair, technically, cannot burn because it is not alive (and please don’t put a blowtorch to your hair just to disprove this claim), the sun can wreak major damage to it. A few days of unprotected sun exposure wears down the hair’s natural protective film – scale—like cells that coat and protect each individual hair shaft – and leave it looking dull and brittle. The hair feels as if it was in the same frying pan as the eggs you had for breakfast. "Fried" hair, aside from being dry, is extremely fragile and prone to breakage and split ends.
Unlike skin, UV-damaged hair does not repair itself. Unless one goes to extra lengths to treat sun—fried hair, the easiest way to get rid of it is to hack it off and stay in protected indoor seclusion until the hair grows back. Or you can always go for the Phyto solution.
Phyto is one of the leading names in haircare science, known for its use of botanical extracts in the formulation of its products. The brand name itself is a giveaway. Phyto (fee-toe) is a prefix derived from the Greek word botanikos, which means "of herbs." "Phyto" refers to anything relating to or derived from plants. The line was founded and developed by Mr. Patrick Ales, a hairstylist who combined his skills with his phyto-philia. While making a name for himself in Paris working on the coifs of such celebrities as Jackie O and Catherine Deneuve, Ales was also experimenting with the healing abilities of different plants and essential oils to come up with a line of haircare products guaranteed to naturally bring out the health and beauty of one’s hair. These experiments eventually grew into a complete and comprehensive range of haircare products that use "the synergy of plants" to treat various hair types and conditions.
For hair that has been damaged by the sun, Ales responds with a line of suncare hair products called Phyto Plage. This line is composed of seven botanically—infused formulations designed to protect the hair from the sun’s UV rays, saltwater, wind, and chlorine – agents that weaken the hair and cause it to become brittle, unmanageable, and discolored. The Phyto Plage products provide moisture, shine and elasticity to the hair and act as a double—shield by protecting the hair’s protective film. Heat sets off the natural ingredients in its formulation to better penetrate the hair.
The Phyto Plage line gives hair intense protection, from pre—sunning to after-sun care. The Protective Sun Spray with sunflower extract can be applied on urban summer days and you can reserve the Protective Beach Spray with olive oil extract for the sun, sand, and sea scenario. To give your hair a double dose of sexy style and sun defense, use the Protective Styling Gel with galanga extract. Sarah Jessica Parker uses it for a sun—kissed, just—from—the—beach tousled look. To start off the repair process, the Moisturizing Hair and Body Wash with bamboo marrow should help eliminate the build—up of salt, sand, chlorine, and other sun care products. It also restructures the hydralipidic film of the hair follicle. Continue with the Hydrating After Sun Mist with sugar cane extract and the Moisturizing After Sun Styling Gel. Once in a while, particularly after a sun—baked beach trip, use the After Sun Repair Mask with rush nut oil.
If only hair could talk, mine would be imploring me to extend my sun-protection arsenal to include Phyto Plage’s natural products. It might even threaten me with recurring bad-hair days if I don’t offer it heat protection. If I have enough sense in me, which I’m pretty sure I do, I would listen.
Phyto is available at Rustan’s Essenses, Makati.