Summer Hair Care

Source: WebMD

Just as the sun damages your skin, it can damage your hair too. Saltwater and chlorine also take a toll on our tresses. A few weeks into summer, hair that was once shiny and easily managed looks and feels fried.

Hair damage is most obvious when we see colour-treated hair becoming faded, bleached, and brassy. Even hair that isn't coloured will suffer from sun-induced stress. Those UV rays dry out hair and rough up the normally smooth cuticle of the hair shaft.

Frizz Factor

The dryer the hair is, the more likely it is to suffer from a summer malady that's even more irksome than mosquito bites: frizz.

Swimming Damage

Swimming beats up your hair too. Take a plunge in a pool and while you're doing the breaststroke, chlorine is stripping your hair of its natural protective oils. If you're a blonde, you may find your locks taking on an unflattering greenish cast. That's caused by the copper molecules and other pool chemicals that bind to the protein in the hair shaft.

A dip in the ocean stresses hair in another way. The heavy salt content in seawater draws water out of your hair and skin. We end up with pruney fingers and parched hair.

Tips for Healthy and Gorgeous Summer Hair

Summer doesn't have to be the season of bad hair days. With some extra TLC, your hair can look great on the steamiest days, it doesn't have to be the season of bad hair days. Here are some hot-weather tress-taming tips.

Start summer with a trim. You'll get rid of split ends and refresh your style. Hair grows faster in the summer because there are more hairs in the anagen stage during late spring and summer than in the dead of winter. So, you might need a mid-season cut too.

Shield your strands from the sun. Make a daily habit of applying a hair care product that contains UV filters (these can be in spray, gel, or cream formulas). These products protect hair from sun damage and help sustain colour-processed hair. If you'll be spending lots of time outdoors, wear a wide-brimmed hat to prevent your strands from getting scorched and protect your scalp and ears, areas that are vulnerable to skin cancer.

Saturate strands before taking a dip. If your hair is drenched with clean water or leave-in conditioner, it won't absorb as much saltwater or pool chemicals. It's also a good idea to try to rinse your hair after a swim.


Switch to a moisturising shampoo and conditioner. You may be washing your hair more frequently to deal with summer's sweat and grime. You should also use a clarifying shampoo once a week to clear away product buildup and chemicals. Just be sure to follow up with a deep-conditioning treatment.

Skip the hot tools. At least once or twice a week, give your hair a break from blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons. Wash your hair at night and piling it up into a bun, a braid, or ponytail before you head to bed. You'll get a nice beachy wave in the morning. The perfect look for weekends and even work-ready if you add accessories like a thin headband or pretty barrettes.

Outwit frizz. Hair that's healthy and well-maintained is your best defence against frizz. Along with regular trims and conditioning, a drop or two of an anti-frizz oil or serum can help smooth hair and add shine. Use only "a teeny tiny drop" of oil, or you can end up weighing down your hair, especially if it's fine or limp.

Unfortunately, when the air is so thick with humidity, frizz is going to happen. Don't waste your summer trying to fight frizz. Instead, find an easy go-to hairdo — like a slick pony, high bun, or side braid — for those high-humidity days.