Summer is almost upon us and with it comes, for most people, more time outside. Even though our summer events might be downsized or different this year, it’s likely that we will still want to enjoy summer events with friends and family.
Just as time outside necessitates special protection for your skin, in the same way, it’s important to take good care of your hair in the summer, too.
In this article, we’ll cover how to keep your hair summer-ready gorgeous: hydrated and healthy.
How Heat Affects Your Hair
Heat and humidity can do a number on your hair in the summer. Depending on where you live, you’ll experience different hair care challenges. People who live in drier climates, for instance, may find that their hair is more brittle in the summer. On the other hand, if you live in a humid climate, you may find yourself fighting more frizz and curl than you’re used to.
Regardless of where you live, it’s important to practice proper hair protection in the summer to keep your hair feeling healthy and strong.
Summer Hair Care Tips
Want to know how to keep your hair healthy when the weather warms? Here are our best summer hair care tips and tricks.
#1: Take Care of Your Scalp
If you want to take care of your hair this summer, you need to take care of your scalp, first. Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp.
Scalp care is important year-round, but especially in the summer, because your scalp is particularly vulnerable. It can suffer from sunburns and sun damage just like the skin on the rest of your body. Often, our hair care routines change in the summer, too. We might wash more often if we’re sweaty, which can dry out the scalp. Or, we might be swimming more often and salt in the ocean or the chlorine in the pool can cause damage to our scalp and hair. These issues can impact hair growth and health and should be addressed at the scalp level.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your scalp during the summer. For instance, by using a scientifically formulated, plant-based scalp treatment like Mereltä, you can provide your scalp with the nourishment it needs to stay healthy and fight the added stress that comes in the summer months. The result? Thicker, healthier hair.
#2: Condition More Than Usually
Think about how thirsty you feel on a hot summer day. Your hair experiences the same need for hydration when it’s hot out. Regardless of whether you live in a dry or humid climate, you’ll want to condition your hair more frequently. If you’re in a dry climate, the added conditioning can help your hair retain moisture. If you’re in a humid climate, conditioning can make it easier to fight frizz and make your hair more manageable.
Consider adding a leave-in conditioner or a conditioning mask to your hair care routine to fight the summer heat.
#3: Use Hair Sunscreen
Believe it or not, hair sunscreen is a thing! Just like face and body sunscreen protects your body from harmful UV rays, hair sunscreen shields your hair. These products form a barrier between your hair and the sun, helping to keep your hair and your scalp safe from the sun. There are tons of hair and scalp sunscreens out there, from mists to foams to mousses.
Do your research, test a few product options to find the right fit, and then make hair sunscreen a permanent part of your summer hair routine.
#4: Watch Your Washes
Because of the high heat, many people shower more frequently in the summer. If you exercise, spend time outside, or hop into the pool, you may find yourself showering more than once a day. If you wash your hair frequently, you risk damaging your tresses.
Washing your hair, strips it of needed oils that keep your hair and scalp healthy and moisturized. If you shower more frequently in the summer, you can cause your hair to dry out and break.
Instead of washing your hair every time you shower in the summer, try simply rinsing it with water instead or piling it under a shower cap and keeping it dry. That way, you can shower more frequently without hurting your hair.
#5: Ditch the Heat
Hair can be more challenging to style in the summer, so one of our top summer hair care tips is to skip the heat styling completely. Anyone with curly or wavy hair that’s tried to keep their hair smooth and frizz-free in a humid climate knows that that particular battle is often a lost cause.
Rather than spending extra hours wielding a straightener, ditch heat styling for the summer months. Try loose braids or a low ponytail to keep your hair manageable instead.
#6: Rinse Before You Hop in the Pool
If you swim during the summer, your hair is at risk for drying and breakage. Your hair naturally absorbs water. If you hop into the ocean or a pool with dry hair, your hair will absorb that water. Unfortunately, both saltwater and chlorine can dry out your hair even more, making it prone to breakage later.
You can prevent this damage by rinsing off with fresh water before you swim. If your hair is already wet when you hop in, it will absorb less salt or chlorine.
Pro tip: if you swim a lot in pools, consider investing in a protective hair mask designed specifically for swimming to add an extra layer of safety.
#7: See Your Hairdresser
As salons around the world start to open up again, be sure to check with your stylist to make sure they are following proper safety precautions. Regulations may differ based on your location, but your salon should be respecting social-distancing and wearing masks at the very least to keep you safe. It’s worth taking a few minutes to check in on these practices before you make the trip.
Your hairstylist can help keep your hair looking and feeling its best this summer. Make sure you stop by for a quick trim to chop off your dead ends. If you cut off a few inches, your hair will be less tangled and likely to break.
Consider asking for an easy, low-maintenance style that you can keep up without heat. That way, you can protect your hair even more by setting aside damaging tools.
Summer Hair Care Tips: Final Thoughts
Be proactive and address the health of your hair at home and at your salon, respecting the Covid-19 guidelines in your town or city, to keep yourself and your hairdresser safe, and to be able to enjoy lovely hair this summer.
There are many ways to protect your hair when the seasons, and your routines change. With a little forethought and a few extra products, you can keep your hair and scalp healthy and happy while you enjoy the warm weather.