We are a month into summer. The changing weather is looking more promising, so it’s no wonder we’re eager to spend more time outdoors to make the best of the warmth and sunshine.
It’s not necessarily good news for our hair though, which can be forgotten as we’re outside enjoying ourselves. Are you guilty of tying it up out of the way to keep your neck cool? This does help with staying cool, yet it can also lead to breakage and split ends. Choose one or two styles that allow you to tie it back without damaging it.
Studies show that humans seem to shed more hair during the warmer months, too. You can’t stop natural hair shedding like this, as it’s a natural part of reacting to hotter weather. However, you can take steps to protect your hair through the summer, and that’s what we’re going to focus on here.
How Can I Keep My Hair Healthy in Summer?
Freshen up your hairstyle before the weather changes. Your stylist can provide you with a trim or haircut to make sure you start the summer without any split ends. This will prevent risking any split ends you do have getting worse in the heat.
Next up, you may feel the need to wash your hair more often due to the heat. When you do wash it, stick to a good quality shampoo and conditioner that moisturizes your hair more than usual. Your stylist can recommend something that works for your hair type.
If your idea of a great summer involves plenty of swimming, especially in a chlorinated pool, some rinsing is a great idea too. If you can rinse out the chlorine after swimming, make sure you do so – even if you’re back in the pool again in an hour or two. It’ll help maintain your hair. If you intend to swim regularly, whether in the pool or the beach, you should use a shampoo and conditioner designed to help swimmers maintain the condition of their hair.
How Can I Protect My Hair in Hot Weather?
It’s no surprise that heat can damage our hair. The combination of heat and UV rays from the sun can cause issues, roughening the outside of the hair shaft (otherwise known as the cuticle). If your hair has even gotten frizzy in the heat, that’s what’s happening – and you’ll know the effects it can have, becoming unmanageable and dry.
The solution to this is to wear a hat, ideally with a brim to keep the sun out of your eyes, too. You may want one that lets some air through without letting the sun’s rays through too much. Some hats include protection against ultraviolet rays, so check for this detail on the label before you buy. Alternatively, if you’re not the hat-wearing type, check out the range of sun protection products for hair on the market today. At Unique Hair Concepts, we recommend CRLAB’s Milk Spray made with moringa and argan oil that protects the hair from the heat and the sun. In addition, our UHC Long and Strong Spray is a wonderful detangler that you may use after swimming all day. These sprays help hydrate and protect your hair while you’re living your best life in the summer.
It should come as no surprise that it’s best to steer clear of heat styling tools, too. If you’ve spent all day swimming or sunbathing, or simply out and about in the heat, it’s tempting to wash your hair and style it, so it looks good again. Yet that’s just adding more heat to your already-battered hair. Some gentle towel drying and letting it dry off naturally is the best bet if you can manage it.
Consider Using a Hair Mask
You can go for a DIY hair mask, with lots of ‘recipes’ available online, or buy something that works for you. Your stylist can advise you which hair mask would work best with your hair type. You don’t need to use it every day – once a week should be fine. If you regularly spend time in the sun or swim a lot, you might need to increase this to two or three times a week.
We all want to make the most of the summer, no matter what the weather comes up with. You’ve now got some summer hair care tips to help your hair look and feel good throughout. To learn more, contact the team at Unique Hair Concepts.
