It’s no secret that the summer sun can be hard on hair. Salty and chlorine-filled water and extra exposure to the heat can deplete the natural oils and moisture that keep hair strong and hydrated. Fortunately, there are some easy steps you can take to protect your hair from the summer weather without having to forgo any beach days. Follow these ten hair care tips to keep your hair healthy this summer.

1. Stay Hydrated

Just like you need to drink lots of water to keep the rest of your body healthy during the summer, your hair depends on plenty of regular hydration. A strand of hair is 25% water. Water contains minerals that are vital to ensuring your hair is getting the nutrients it needs. Drinking the recommended amount of water based on your specific needs each day will ensure your hair follicles are hydrated and prevent excessive breakage, as dehydrated hair becomes brittle.

Conditioners and Masks for Hair Care

It’s also important to hydrate your hair from the outside by using conditioners, hair treatments, and masks. Conditioners replace the moisture your hair loses due to exposure to heat or after being shampooed. It also smooths hair cuticles and evens out pH, which is what makes hair shiny, hydrated, and healthy.

Products with the following ingredients target dry, brittle hair and are excellent for hair care:

• Argan
• Tea tree
• Coconut oil
• Avocado
• Castor
• Almond oil
• Ylang ylang
• Rosemary
• Olive oil

2. Wash Less Often

During the hot-weather months, everyone is prone to sweating more. Your scalp can easily become dirty, so you might want to wash it more often than usual. Shampoo, however, can be extremely drying for hair, and using it too often can strip your scalp of natural oils. Try to stick to a hair-washing routine of at most every-other day to promote healthy moisture levels. When you do use shampoo, choose one that contains healthy oils and targets building moisture.

Dry Shampoos & Other Products

On those especially hot summer days, dry shampoo can be a lifesaver. It absorbs oil and diminishes the appearance of greasy or dirty hair so you can stick to your shampooing routine. There are lots of dry shampoos available in a variety of scents that can add volume to your hair and help maintain proper, comfortable oil levels. You can also try an apple cider vinegar shampoo or rinse that will clear buildup and detoxify your scalp naturally.

3. Put Away the Heating Tools

During the summer months, when hair is being exposed to heat, it is especially important to dial back your use of heating tools. Heat applied directly to hair can cause serious breakage and split ends. As much as you can, let your hair air dry during the summer. If you do need to straighten, curl, or blow-dry, make sure to use heat protectant.

4. Use a Wide-Tooth Comb

When hair is wet, it is most susceptible to breakage. This is because the protein bonds in hair strands are weakened when wet. When damp hair is combed, it stretches, which causes the cuticle to lift up and crack. If you can, avoid brushing your hair while wet, and try to stick to using a wide-tooth comb. Your hair might get tangled during a day at the pool or the beach, so using a wide-tooth detangling comb is a great way to gently loosen knots with minimal breakage. It will also reduce the risk of split ends.

5. Avoid Swimmer’s Hair

Chemicals found in pool water – especially bromine and chlorine – can wreak havoc on hair. They react with the natural oils that protect your hair and leave the cuticle exposed. This stripping of the hair also makes it more susceptible to sun damage and gives way to breakage and split ends. Fortunately, you don’t have to skip the pool to keep your hair happy. Before swimming, jump in the shower and soak your hair. Hair that is already saturated with water is less likely to absorb chemicals. Apply conditioner to your hair from root to tip and secure it in a swimming cap or ponytail. Once you’re done swimming for the day, shampoo your hair immediately so that the chemicals don’t dry into your hair, and condition again for the best hair care.

6. Bring Beach Hair Products on Vacation

If you’re planning on taking a vacation, prepare ahead of time. Make sure to bring conditioner, heat protectant, and hair sunscreen, along with any other masks and oils you regularly use to maintain moisture. You can even spritz in some sea salt spray mixed with coconut oil to achieve a beachy look without actually exposing your hair to damage.

• Hair Sunscreen – Believe it or not, you can actually buy sunscreen for your hair. Products usually contain UV filters that help hinder the hair-drying effects of sun exposure. They are also often infused with nourishing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and vitamins that help protect and fortify hair.
• Heat Protectant – Just like you use it when styling, throw on some heat protectant if you’re planning on spending some time in the sun. Heat protectant works by acting as a barrier between the hair cuticle and heat.
• Leave-in Conditioner – Conditioner is one of the best things for your hair. Find a good leave-in conditioner and make running it through your hair part of your daily summertime routine.

7. Take Care of Your Scalp

A healthy scalp is the source of healthy hair. Sweating during the summer can cause an increase in debris and buildup on the scalp, which can contribute to other scalp and hair health problems. Make sure to rinse your hair thoroughly every day, even when you’re not shampooing. You can even purchase a scalp scrub or mask to deeply detoxify roots and promote a healthier environment for hair to grow and maintain moisture.

8. Stick to Natural Styles for Hair Care

An easy way to avoid the need for damaging heating tools is by changing up your hairstyle. Go for something a little more relaxed and comfortable. A loose braid is ideal for keeping your hair under control and minimizing exposure to the sun. Tight hairstyles can be damaging because they tend to pull and break hair, which is already susceptible to dryness from the summer heat. Let your hair air dry and embrace your natural texture for a few months. On no-wash days, throw it up in a loose bun or ponytail and spritz on some dry shampoo.

9. Keep Up with Trims and Haircuts

As always, it’s important to keep up with regular trims and haircuts during the summer. Split ends caused by heat, sun, and water exposure can lead to breakage of the entire hair shaft. Keeping up with regular trims is an easy way to keep hair healthy. You might even want to opt for a shorter haircut or some layers in preparation for the summer heat.

10. Cover Up

Wearing a hat or scarf while spending time in the sun is an easy way to protect your hair and scalp. This will provide extra UV protection for the sensitive skin on your scalp and help it retain moisture. It’s also a great way to promote the longevity of color-treated hair.

Contact Us

If you are interested in hair replacement or hair restoration services in Maryland, Virginia, or the D.C. area, contact Eldorado today. No matter how unattainable your hair goals may seem, our hair experts can help. Call us at (410) 931-3399 to schedule your hair analysis at our Baltimore hair restoration center.