What does sea salt spray do for hair

By: | Last Updated: March 16, 2022

Perhaps the greatest joy of summer is getting to spend your days on the beach.

You can spend hours basking in the sun and swimming in the ocean. Plus, don’t you just love how wavy your hair turns out after a good swim?

It’s like you sometimes wish you could bottle up the ocean so you can have beachy waves all year.

Well, it’s a good thing a sea salt spray can help you obtain those coveted loose waves even in the middle of winter.

But is sea salt spray good for your hair?

This article will tell you all about the what, why, and how of sea salt spray. So dive in to know more.


What is sea salt spray?

What is sea salt spray

Sea salt spray is a hair product that lets you mimic tousled waves without going on a trip to the beach.

It’s great for fine hair as it can help you create texture and volume. So you don’t have to deal with flat and lifeless hair.

It can also help freshen up naturally wavy and curly hair, making it more bouncy and voluminous.

It’s also handy for reviving second-day hair as it absorbs excess oil while giving it more lift.

Sea salt spray mainly consists of a mixture of sea salt and water. But you can also expect to see aloe vera, argan oil, or coconut water with your sea salt spray.

So hair of any length and type can enjoy having instant beachy locks.


Why does sea salt spray make hair wavy?

The key ingredient to a good sea salt spray is, of course, salt.

Depending on the brand, these sprays can contain any type of salt, but the most common ones are sea salt and Epsom salt.

They’re effective for turning your hair wavy since the salt in the spray draws out the moisture in your hair. Making your strands shrink, resulting in natural waves.

The loss of moisture also makes your hair feel gritty and look matte. Allowing your hair to hold the waves for longer periods.

So now you know what sea salt spray is and what it does to your hair, let’s get to the fun part: how to style your hair to get those effortless waves.


Do you put sea salt spray on wet or dry hair?

It works best on dry hair, but you can definitely apply it on damp (but not wet) hair. If applied to wet hair, it may not absorb any of the product since it’s still saturated with water. So wait until your hair is damp before spritzing it on.

Sea salt spray also works great on second-day hair since it can stick onto your hair’s natural oils, giving your hair more texture without the added work. 

Another great thing is it can absorb excess oil on your hair so it won’t look greasy.

But if you have oily hair but still want the texture that sea salt spray can give, you can also use dry shampoo to absorb some of that extra grease. You can then apply the spray after, and none would be the wiser.


How do you use sea salt spray?

How do you use sea salt spray

It’s excellent at creating waves on your hair. Unlike gels and pomades, it doesn’t leave a stiff and sticky finish.

So how do you use sea salt spray to style your hair? Well, it’s fairly easy.

Before applying, remember to shake the bottle. This is to make sure all ingredients are properly mixed since some formulas tend to have solid sediments that can settle on the bottom.

To style, start with damp hair. Position your sea salt spray a few inches away from your head, so you don’t end up with sticky hair. Then spray on the roots and mid-lengths of your hair to create volume.

Avoid spraying on the ends of your tresses because they’re more prone to drying out.

Then scrunch from the ends to the roots of your hair. The smaller the section of hair you scrunch, the smaller the waves will turn out.

Then leave hair to air dry, and avoid touching them so you won’t create frizz.

But if you’re in a pinch, you can use a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment to create bouncier waves. This trick can also help straight hair that has trouble holding curls on their hair.

If you find them drying for your hair, you can apply a leave-in conditioner or hair serum before applying the product to give your hair extra moisture.


Does sea salt spray damage hair? 

As mentioned above, the salt in sea salt sprays can be drying for your hair since it draws out its moisture to create waves.

If you have color-treated hair, using sea salt spray regularly can also fade out your color faster since the salt opens up your hair cuticles. While also making it more sensitive to heat and environmental damage.

That’s why some brands switch out the salt in their products for rice or wheat proteins to avoid damaging your hair. 

Essential oils and moisturizing ingredients are also added to counteract its drying properties. So opt for spray brands containing argan oil, avocado oil, kelp extract, or coconut water.

Consider sugar spray as an alternative to sea salt sprays since they can make your hair wavy without drying it.

Your hair stays shiny and hydrated since sugar is a humectant, so it draws in moisture from the environment instead of drawing it out.

Also, unlike sea salt sprays, sugar sprays don’t build up on your hair, so you don’t have to wash your hair as often.

Another ingredient to watch out for in sea salt sprays is alcohol. Bad alcohols like ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and benzyl alcohol are extremely drying for your hair. So make sure to check the ingredients list before settling on a brand.


What does sea salt spray do for straight hair?

What does sea salt spray do for straight hair

If you have fine, straight hair, applying this spray can give it volume and texture that creates the illusion of thicker hair.

If your hair has a bit of a wave pattern, you can use sea salt spray to enhance those. After spritzing on some product, use a diffuser to dry your hair to create smaller waves that can last the entire day.

But if your hair has trouble holding the waves, try an overnight braid. Apply sea salt spray and braid your hair into sections. The more you section your hair, the smaller the waves will turn out.

Then sleep with the braids on so you can wake up with beachy waves in the morning.


What does sea salt spray do for curly hair?

Since curly hair tends to be drier than other hair textures, it’s best to avoid sea salt spray.

But if you’re curious, using sea salt spray can make naturally curly hair even curlier. Just remember to not go overboard with the product, or you’ll end up with a frizzy and crunchy mess.

You can also spray the product on just your roots to give it more lift instead of spraying it on your ends.

Sea salt spray also works best on refreshing 2 to 3b curl patterns. So if you have tighter curls, it’s best to avoid them, or you might end up ruining your pattern.

Also, remember to apply moisturizing products on your curls before spritzing on sea salt spray to balance out its drying effects. A good leave-in conditioner or hair oil can do wonders for your mane.

CHECK OUT: Is hairspray bad for your hair


Final thoughts

Summer may be a few months away, but using sea salt spray can give you that enviable surfer girl hair at any time of the year. 

But using too much sea salt spray can also take a toll on your hair. That’s why it’s important to look through its ingredients to know if it’s a product worth avoiding. 

Applying it moderately can also save your hair from turning into a damaged mess.

So make sure to pay attention to the current state of your hair so you’ll know what it needs and what you should avoid. Since having healthy hair always looks better than having styled, brittle locks.

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