Summertime hair care: how to beat the heat stress and humidity frizz
Summer brings sun rays, beach days, and long awaited vacays. But it also brings a few challenges for our hair. The combination of intense sun exposure, high temperatures and frequent dips in chlorine or salt water can leave our locks looking flat and feeling stressed. With a little help (that you’ll find below), you can easily ward off the seasonal stressors and keep your hair as luscious as ever. Let’s go…
Problem: sun damage
The sun’s harsh UV can not only weaken and fade your hair, but also damage the skin on your scalp.
Remedy:
Cover your head as much as possible when you’re outside in summer – particularly on long days and during the afternoon when the sun is at its peak. There are some stylish options on offer: caps, broad-brimmed hats and headscarves included.
Problem: heat exposure
Just like the heat can dehydrate you, it can also dehydrate your hair. Heat exposure can damage your hair’s keratin and leave it dry, brittle and prone to breakage.
Remedy:
Air dry your hair to minimise heat exposure as much as possible. Hair masks and deep conditioning treatments are great for nourishing heat-affected locks, and of course a pillowy padded silk scrunchie lets you tie your hair back in the gentlest way, to protect it and prevent breakage.
Problem: humidity
This is a familiar problem – the humidity frizz. Anyone who’s been on a tropical getaway will remember the need for a slicked back bun pretty much all day, every day.
Remedy:
Silk is known to keep hair smooth by avoiding any frizz-causing friction. Invest in a luxurious silk pillowcase to keep morning frizz to a minimum, and then add an anti-frizz serum containing silicone to your haircare, to create a barrier against that frizzifying moisture throughout the day. Slicked back bun be gone!
Problem: chlorine and saltwater
Swimming in a pool or the ocean can strip your hair of its natural oils, causing dryness and damage, and have your hair looking dull to boot.
Remedy:
Rinse your hair with fresh water before and after swimming to minimize the absorption of chlorine and salt. Use a clarifying shampoo to remove any residue, and follow up with a deeply hydrating conditioner. An occasional hair mask or leave-in conditioner will help, too.
Now that you have your locks under control, you can also read about getting a summer glow while you sleep – over here.
