Summertime is arguably the most damaging time for our hair because we’re constantly exposing it to damaging factors such as UV rays, chlorine from swimming pools, increased humidity, salt water from the ocean, and pollutants from the air.
But, you can still have the finest tresses despite all of this increased exposure if you follow these tips:
1. Reduce UV exposure
In the summer, we tend to be outside a lot more and for longer periods of time which increases the chances of exposure to UV rays and UV light. This exposure causes chemical changes in our hair that degrades hair protein, increase swelling, and strips it of its natural shine.
Plus, hair can get sunburnt just like our skin, which is why it’s important to protect our scalp from UV rays the same way we protect our body and face from sun exposure. You can do this by physically covering your head whenever you’re able to. I.e. wear a hat to protect your scalp and some of your hair. A baseball hat, a floppy hat, or a sun hat are all fantastic options. Sit under an umbrella whenever you’re at the beach or sitting by the pool.
2. Use hair sunscreen
You’ll also want to apply hair sunscreen to your hair, particularly to any areas of your scalp that are directly exposed to the sun. Spray sunscreen is the easiest and least messy way to ensure that you’re getting adequate coverage. Look for a water-resistant sunscreen for the summertime that is lightweight and won’t leave a lotion residue on the hair or skin. It should be clear and invisible.
3. Reduce water-related damage
There’s a lot going on outside that can cause damage to our hair, including the water-related activities that we partake in during summer, from swimming to snorkeling. In fact, salt water poses risks to the integrity of hair due to all of the different minerals and chemicals that the hair can absorb from the ocean.
The solution? Avoid submerging your hair in water to lessen damage and apply oil to the lengths and ends of your hair before jumping in the water. A good quality hair oil will penetrate the hair to fill out any structural irregularities. It’ll also help to prevent the absorption of all the minerals and chemicals in the ocean.
Rinse your hair with clean water before going into the pool or ocean. Because when your hair is already soaked in clean water it won’t end up absorbing as much salt water or pull chemicals.
You should also shampoo your hair as soon as you come out of the water whether it’s salt water or chlorinated water. A nourishing shampoo will help you remove all the build-up of minerals and chemicals followed by a deep conditioning hair mask to return strength and moisture to your hair.
Look for a shampoo with chelating ingredients, as they’ll be able to grab onto the metals and minerals found in water and remove them as you rinse your hair. Ascorbic acid and citric acid are a few examples of ingredients that you should look out for. Or use a shampoo that is detoxifying and clarifying as it’s more likely to have deeper cleaning and chelating ingredients.
4. Detangle your hair
Make sure to detangle your hair throughout the summer as windy weather, chlorinated water and sunscreen can lead to tangling. You also want to wear your hair in a style that makes it less likely to tangle such as a braid, a bubble ponytail, or a bun.
5. Stay hydrated
You need to drink lots of water because your hair needs just as must hydration as your skin. Remember to apply a nice moisturizer even if it’s once a week and uses a hair mask to restore moisture as well.
Another way to keep your hair hydrated is to not wash it more than you need to. Too frequent washing can dehydrate and weaken hair. Washing hair three times a week is enough to prevent dehydration through overwashing. Plus, you can always use dry shampoo to keep your hair fresh between washes to remove build-up and keep your hair clean during the summer.
6. Use hair oil
Keep your hair healthy by doing hair oiling treatments once a week. This will make your hair more resilient to dryness, prevents moisture loss, and shields your hair from hair damage.
Extra Tip! Exfoliate your scalp using a scalp exfoliator. You can use it with your shampoo during wash days.
