A tight ponytail or braid can reduce the amount of sand that can enter into the scalp, resulting in less sand in the hair. Wearing a hat at the beach, especially on a windy day, can also help to reduce the quantity of sand that comes into touch with your hair. Finally, showering after being at the beach will wash away any sand that has managed to get into your hair. If you have long hair, you can use a simple method to avoid sand getting into it: just don't go to the beach! The main thing is to be careful not to let the sand get into your eyes or mouth. If you experience any irritation, rinse your face immediately with water to remove the sand from your skin. Finally, try not to scratch off the shell's paint if you can help it! The sand inside the shells is valuable and should be protected even if it isn't used itself.