5 Tips For Healthy Summer Hair
By Memorial Day, most of us have planned out our summer events, excited for hot days, beach trips, and long weekends. But have we planned out our summer-specific hair care routines? With the change of season comes the need to adjust our hair care. We laid out the top 5 hair care tips to take with you wherever you go this summer.
1. Wear your favorite floppy hat
Both skin and hair can be damaged from strong ultraviolet (UV) rays. A hat is key in providing protection to your hair and scalp, especially if you don’t apply SPF to those areas.
In fact, your hair and scalp receive the most UV exposure as they are closer to the sun than the rest of your body. A hat blocks off direct sunlight which helps prevent sun damage to the head and neck (common places that skin cancers occur). Other cute options include wrapping your hair in a headscarf or bandana if you’re worried about hat hair.
It may seem obvious, but wearing a hat in the sun will protect your hair and scalp. Don’t forget to pack a hat for your next summer trip. The wider the hat, the better!
2. Apply sunscreen to your scalp
While you probably notice that your hair helps shield your scalp from the sun, it can still be very vulnerable to sun damage — for example, the area where you part your hair, bald spots, or if you have thin hair.
Forgot to bring your hat? Apply sunscreen on your head to protect your scalp. There are sunscreen products specifically made for the hair and scalp that won’t leave a sticky residue. You can even put the sunscreen that you use for the face onto your scalp. There are also makeup products like foundations or powders with SPF that you can apply for that extra layer of protection. Treating your hair like your skin will help minimize the risk of long-lasting sun damage.
3. Use a hydrating hair mask 1x a week
Applying a hair mask once a week can help nourish your hair, especially during the summer when your hair is more prone to sun exposure.
If you’re one who loves to sit by the pool and soak in the sun often, you may want to consider using hair masks. Not only do UV rays cause hair damage, but chlorine is harmful for the hair too. Whether it be by prolonged exposure to the sun or taking a dip in the pool, damaged hair can lead to discoloration, dryness, and frizziness. You can find several hair masks at your go-to hair care or beauty store or you can create your own homemade masks with natural ingredients like avocados and coconut oil. Weekly hair masks are great for putting moisture back into your hair and prevent further breakage.
4. Take a break from hot styling tools
You think the summer heat is unbearable? Well, imagine enduring the sun AND scorching tools. Yup, that’s your hair.
Give your hair a break from hot tools such as hair dryers, straighteners, and curling irons. Avoid frequent use of these appliances in order to protect your hair from dryness and dehydration. There are plenty of heatless styling methods to use in place of these potentially damaging techniques. Once you try out some no-heat hairstyles, you might not go back.
5. Opt for a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner
With the heat and sticky humidity of the summer, you might be showering and washing your hair more often than you normally would. This summer, switch to a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, especially if you already have relatively dry hair. Using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner will wash your hair without stripping it of its natural oils.
Add these tips to your summer hair care routine to maintain healthy, hydrated hair! Have any other pieces of summer hair care advice? Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this article, click here to join the Hair Care Club community and get access to all of our free hair care resources!
