People think of summer tans and swimming affecting the skin. Summer can also take a toll on your hair.
How Summer Can Hurt Your Hair
- The hot sun dries out hair just like everything else.
- Sunburned scalp can be painful.
- People assume hair protects the scalp but that’s not necessarily the case, and people dealing with hair loss have special concerns.
- Summer humidity can make hair lifeless and limp.
- Hot weather leads to sweating, which can contribute to problems like hair being frizzy, dandruff, and split ends.
- Dry feeling summer hair can lead to over-conditioning, which can also make hair limp.
- Chlorine from swimming pools can dry hair and affect processed color.
- Saltwater from the ocean can also increase the dryness of your hair.
- Colored hair fades faster in the sun and some experts warn that hair can burn and turn brownish.
- Sunscreen can leave greasiness near the hairline.
Before reaching for solutions evaluate these 3 features:
- Scalp Type – Is it dry, oily, combination, dandruff prone?
- Hair Type – Is it curly, wavy, straight, dyed, permed, or straightened?
- Hair Quantity – Is it thick or thinning? If it’s thinning, where?
10 Tips for Summer Hair Care
- Ease Up on The Shampoo
- Alternate Shampooing with Other Products
- Consider Co-washing for Very Dry Hair
- Swim Care
- Give Your Blow Dryer a Break
- Treat Your Color
- Sunscreen
- Cover Up
- Drink Fluids
- Read The Label
While you want clean hair, shampooing every day can dry out your scalp and hair. Summer heat causes sweat, which can make it worse. If you have to shampoo, use a mild shampoo and only shampoo your scalp. Your hair will be cleaned as the suds run down whereas putting shampoo on your ends will dry the tips out.
Dry shampoos are a great way to remove oil from hair without shampooing every day. By using a dry shampoo in between actual washings, your hair and scalp are less likely to become too dry.
For some hair types, instead of alternating a normal shampooing with a dry shampoo, co-washing is a better alternative. Wet your hair, apply a light conditioner, let it sit a minute or two and thoroughly rinse out. Alternating this with regular shampooing can work well for very dry hair.
Washing your hair before a swim makes it more likely to dry out. By shampooing only after the swim, your natural oils will help protect your hair from drying salt and chlorine. Also, look for a mild shampoo that contains ethylene tetra-acetic acid to remove any chemicals from swimming.
Why add more heat when summer already does enough? Let your hair air dry instead, if possible. If you really need to blow dry, use a lower temperature than usual. Similarly, reduce your use of styling irons and hot curlers in the summer.
Colored hair is more susceptible to damage than untreated hair so if you can, have your hair colored before the worst of summer’s heat begins. If that’s not possible, use hair products made specifically for color-treated hair.
Even hair products can contain sunscreen, and they’re a good option for people outside a lot or who have chemically treated or colored hair.
The best protection for your hair is a scarf or lightweight hat. Similarly, a swim cap protects your hair in the water.
Just as staying hydrated is good for your skin, it’s also good for your hair. So is a diet with fresh fruit and vegetables.
Avoid hair products that contain alcohol or formaldehyde because they can dry your hair. Products labeled “volumizing” or promising “bouncy” hair can do the same. Look for products that replenish, hydrate or moisturize.
Contact RHRLI for More Information
If you want your hair to look better year round, talk to the experts in hair loss at RHRLI. Hair restoration surgeon Dr. Baiju Gohil has a state-of-the-art facility using the ARTAS® robotic hair transplant system. Contact RHRLI for a personal consultation with Dr. Gohil himself to assess whether robotic hair restoration is appropriate for you. Learn more by contacting us today.