It’s time to make sure your hair looks its absolute best. But have you ever thought about how the sun effects your hair? Just as it can damage your skin, the sun can also damage hair and scalp. So it’s time to learn how to protect your hair from the heat, sun and humidity.

Why Should You Protect Your Hair from the Sun?

Your hair can get damaged in many different ways during summer time: Overexposure to harmfull sun rays, sweat, sea salt and chlorinated pool water.

Here’s why:

You may have healthy hair almost all year around, but in the summer time, your hair may turn limp and lifeless. This tends to happen because the sun dries out your hair straws and the increased humidity makes your hair fall flat
Sweat and dust increase hair problems like dandruff and split ends. Worst case scenario is hair loss and thinning hair
Summers can be harsh on your scalp too – causing dryness and sunburns. Some people believe that hair protects the scalp, but that’s actually not the case. In the end, dry scalp can damage your hair roots.

So the million dollar question is: How do you protect that crowning glory of yours? Well, let’s take a look…

1. Start Summer with a Fresh Haircut

Whether you have long or short hair, the summer weather can make the ends of your hair dry and brittle – and that’s certainly not a good look!

Summer is the ideal time to give yourself a new haircut or opt for regular trims that will keep your hair in good condition and reduce the risk of split ends.
Pro Tip: Regular trims – every 2-4 weeks – can bring even the most damaged hair back to life!

2. Care for Your Colour

If you have colour-treated hair, you need to take extra care of your hair during summer.
Chemical treatments mixed with the burning summer sun can lead to colour fading, maximum damage and hair dryness. Choose haircare products made especially for colour-treated hair.

Pro Tip: If you want to change your hair colour during the summer, do it a month or two before the sun hits hard. However, if you have recently coloured your hair, try to avoid exposing your hair to direct sun light as much as possible as it may bleach your hair – Here a cool cap may come in handy!

3. Use Conditioner

If the damage is already done and your hair has become damaged, dry and brittle, you can help restore some moisture y using a nourishing, quality conditioner. Get one that suits your hairtype and texture.

Pro Tip: If you are going for a swim in the pool or ocean, apply a thin layer of coconut oil or conditioner in your hair before jumping in to protect it. The silicones in the conditioner will keep chlorine and other chemicals away from your hair.

4. Shampoo with Care

Shampooing your hair every day is not recommendable. A good rinse in cold or lukewarm water will do the trick on days where you don’t use shampoo.

If your hair gets easily greasy and sweaty and you feel the need to shampoo every day, choose a mild shampoo. Focus on cleansing the scalp and not your hair.

5. Beat the Heat

As your hair is already exposed to the heat of the sun, avoid tools like flat irons and blow dryers as much as you can during the summer. Go slow on the blow-dryer and, if needed, let your hair air-dry as much as possible.

If you must use your blow dryer, opt for the low or medium temperature setting and always remember to use heat protection.

6. Tried an Overnight Hairtreatment?

Prepare your hair for summer by using an overnight hair treatment. All you need to do is apply a leave-in conditioner from roots to ends and wrap a towel around your hair – leave it in overnight and wake up in the morning with soft, smooth hair.

7. Meet your new summer BFF

The sun’s got the best of your hair and now it’s both greasy and oily, crying for a shampoo?

Don’t panic! Instead of washing your hair, go for a quality dry-shampoo! It really does a great job soaking up excess oil without causing your scalp to produce even more. On top of this, it’ll save you loads of time in the morning. But be aware: It can be quite addictive ?

8. Sun Protection

The absolute best way to protect your hair from the sun, besides completely avoiding it, is by wearing a hat or cap. If that’s just not your style, you can use a leave-in conditioner with SPF.

9. Going For Swim?

…Did you know, that swimming beats up your hair, too? The swimming pool can completely strip your hair of its natural, protective oils. The same goes for the ocean: The heavy salt content in seawater draws mouisture out of both your hair and scalp – learn how to protect your hair from the pool water.

10. Use a Wide Tooth Comb

Instead of brushing your hair with a regular hair brush, use a wide tooth comb in stead. This will help detangle your hair after a long day at the beach and help you avoid breakage when doing so.

Secret tips

There are lots of different, crazy and epic homemade ways to help your hair stay excellent during the summer season. For example, you could try…

Vinegar as an extra treatment:

Rinse your hair in vinegar before you apply shampoo. This will make your hair appear cleaner and shinier and it’s a good way to treat dandruff as well. Go for organic apple cider vinegar.

Egg & Mayo to treat dry and damaged hair:

Eggs are rich in protein and can help to recover damaged hair. Mix ¼ cup of plain yogurt, ¼ cup of mayonnaise and 1 egg white and distribute it evenly in your hair. Leave it for 30 minutes and rinse thourougly with water.