summer hair care
Use summer hair care products with natural UV protection.
If there’s anything worse than using products with unnecessary chemicals, it’s using them in tandem with the summer sun. The summer heat tends to leave the pores of the skin and scalp open, allowing for further absorption of ingredients in hair products – so make sure your hair and body are absorbing the good stuff!
Sunflower or Helianthus annuus, is an all-natural UV protectant that’s great for adding softness to the hair. The oil of sunflower also acts as an emollient, providing much needed moisture for the hair in summer, and is actually able to lock in that moisture.
I suggest changing to a shampoo and conditioner with added UV protection from sunflower, as well as adopting a leave-in conditioner that you can take with you on the go.
Another great summer hair care tip is to opt for a hat, hair scarf, or both. Not only do hats and head scarves provide further UV protection, they also help the hair retain moisture – a big time summer hair care issue.
Healthy hair starts at the scalp. Wear a hat.
Wearing a hat or head scarf also provides the scalp with further UV protection that may be hard to obtain just through summer hair care products. Since the scalp regulates sebum (your hair’s natural oils), it is very important to ensure your scalp is adequately protected.
A damaged scalp can leave hair inadequately nourished for months to come!
Hair scarves also act as damage control for the hair. They keep the hair in place during visits to the beach, where wind from the sea can result in terrible tangles (that you’ll no doubt vigorously brush out on the way to your next summer activity, resulting in further damage and breakage).
Let’s not neglect to mention there are various ways to wear hair scarfs and hats, so you should never run out of ways to protect the hair and scalp, all while rockin’ a fabulous summer style.
Wear hair in braids or gentle up-do’s.
The summer heat and humidity calls for gentle up-dos and stylish braids. I know everyone is loving the top-knot bun style and sock buns, but putting hair up high and tight can cause incredible damage during the summer months, when hair tends to get frizzy and dry.
Messy braids and gentle up-dos will keep the hair from further UV exposure and add another layer of protection for the scalp. Don’t worry about them being perfect – the laid back nature of theses summer hairstyles will embrace the natural elements of summer and look fabulous!
Wash your hair right after exposure.
Whether it be after a nice dip in the pool or a long day at the beach, it’s a good idea to wash your hair right after exposure. This will eliminate further UV damage, and wash away any impurities that could stay on the hair. However, when I say wash the hair, I don’t necessarily mean use shampoo.
It’s more than acceptable to cut back on shampooing your hair on a daily basis when the warm weather comes your way. In fact, I recommend it!
Cutting back on shampoo will actually allow your scalp’s oil production to re-balance itself, which is extra important for moisture during summertime weather.
After a trip to the beach, try rinsing the hair in the shower first, followed by giving yourself a scalp message.
A nice 30 second scalp massage will exfoliate old cells, increase scalp circulation to promote hair growth, and help remove any product build-up.
Then, try gently working your hair’s natural oils from the scalp down to the mid-shaft and ends. Medium to long hair lengths should also try just applying conditioner to the mid-shaft and ends.
Deep conditioning treatments.
Summer hair ailments like dryness and split-ends can be helped with the inclusion of deep conditioning treatments in your summer hair regime. Before establishing your hair regime and choosing the “best” summer hair care products, you must first determine your hair type and texture.
To choose a hair product without knowing your hair type is like buying a pair of shoes without knowing your shoe size – it can be very damaging.
To help determine your hair texture and what it lacks in the summer, ask your hair stylist to conduct a wet-stretch test. This test will allow them to make the proper summer hair care recommendations for your hair type.
Making the right hair care choices can enhance your beauty inside and out. These summer hair care tips will allow you to feel and look confident through the harsh summer months with healthy, shiny hair.
