Beachy texture in a bottle is hard to resist, but salt can be drying if you overdo it or apply it the wrong way. Here is a stylist-approved, derm-smart way to get the tousled finish without the frazzled ends.
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First, know what salt sprays do
Sea salt and other texturising salts roughen the hair surface slightly and draw a little water out of the fibre. That extra “grip” is what gives volume and a matte, lived-in wave. The trade-off is that salt plus wind, sun and heat can dry the cuticle and make tangling more likely if you are not adding moisture back in. Dermatologists regularly advise minimising heat and protecting the cuticle because excessive heat and rough handling increase breakage and dullness.
Prep like a pro
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Start with damp, not dripping, hair. Pat dry so the formula is not diluted.
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Add slip before salt. Work a light leave-in conditioner or a few drops of silicone-free hair oil through mid-lengths and ends first. This cushions the cuticle and helps distribute the spray more evenly. Dermatologists also recommend leave-ins and heat protection when you style.
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Shake and mist mid-lengths to ends. Keep sprays off the scalp if you are prone to oiliness or buildup. For fine hair, 3–4 spritzes. For thicker hair, 5–8.
Dry the smart way
Air dry if you can, scrunching gently to coax your natural bend. If you reach for a dryer, use a diffuser on a cool to medium setting and keep the head moving so you are not dehydrating one spot. Heat is a damage multiplier, so lower settings plus a heat protectant are your friends.
Make it work for your hair type
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Fine or straight hair: Go light. Too much product will collapse volume. Mist, scrunch, then leave it alone while it dries.
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Wavy or curly hair: Layer moisture first, then salt. Finish with a pea-sized curl cream on the ends to seal.
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Short cuts and bobs: Spray, then twist small sections with your fingers for separation. Break up the twists once dry.
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Second- or third-day hair: A few light spritzes on dry hair will revive texture. Focus on the mid-lengths, then scrunch.
Keep the “beach” from becoming build-up
Salt, sweat and summer minerals can stack up. Rinse your hair with fresh water after actual ocean swims and use your regular conditioner. If your hair starts to feel rough or matte all the time, swap in a gentle clarifying or chelating wash once every week or two to lift salts and minerals, then follow with a hydrating mask. Derms also back regular conditioning to counter dryness from styling.
How often is too often
Think of salt spray as a styling tool, not a daily moisturiser. If you are reaching for it most days, build a simple balance:
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Texture days: salt spray + leave-in + low heat.
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Recovery days: co-wash or gentle shampoo + conditioner or mask + air dry.
Sun, SA summer and colour care
South African summer sun, wind and pool time can amplify dryness. Wear a hat outdoors where possible and keep colour-treated hair topped up with conditioner or a UV-protective leave-in on pool or beach days. The less you combine salt, chlorine and high heat in the same day, the better your colour and ends will look. Dermatology guidance consistently prioritises reducing heat exposure and replenishing moisture to protect fibres.
Quick mistakes to avoid
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Spraying onto soaking-wet hair. It dilutes the formula and you use more than you need.
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Skipping a heat protectant, then blasting on high heat.
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Spritzing the roots heavily if you have a flaky or oily scalp.
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Forgetting to add moisture back. If hair feels rough, you need conditioner, not more spray.
A simple routine to copy tonight
After washing, gently towel dry. Apply a leave-in through mid-lengths and ends. Mist sea salt spray lightly from ear level down. Scrunch. Either let it air dry or diffuse on cool to medium. Once dry, break up any crunchy bits with a single drop of oil rubbed between your palms. Done.
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How to protect your hair from salt water, chlorine and the sun this Summer
Featured Image: Pexels
