Summer Hair Care: How to protect your hair from the sun and sea

Whether you’re hitting the beach, pool or even just your back garden this year, it’s likely your hair will experience some damage if you don’t take the necessary steps to protect it.

The mixture of sun, sand and sea can be harsh on your locks, leaving them damaged, dry and dehydrated.

Let’s start by delving into the root of the problem.

Why is our hair more damaged in the summer?

Summer is a time where we spend more hours out and about in the sunshine, lapping up the rays and enjoying all of the fun that comes with it - whether that be sunbathing, taking a dip in the pool or spending time on the beach.

But these activities bring consequences when it comes to your hair. Heat, chlorine, sea water, tight hairstyles and even your sunglasses can all cause damage, leaving your hair in bad condition.

After a summer of fun, you could end up with hair that is dull, lifeless, brittle, dry, knotty and easy to snap.

Now we’re not saying that to keep your hair looking luscious you need to lock yourself away for the season. Absolutely not - we’re here to give you some tips on how to prevent damage and keep your hair looking sleek and silky throughout the sunny season.

How to protect your hair during summer

Step 1: Secure that pre summer trim

To ensure your hair is in tip top condition from the off, book in a visit with your hairdresser. That will help to eradicate any split ends before you’re exposed to the sun. If you head into heat with split ends, it’s likely that they’re going to split even further up the strand resulting in hair that looks even more damaged.

Step 2: Wash your hair LESS

This one may seem a little counter intuitive as during those sweaty summer days, it can feel like a necessity to wash from head to toe.

However, by washing your hair every day you could be stripping away the essential natural oils that reside in the scalp and on your hair. When this happens, the hair becomes dull, dry and coarse, making it harder to style and dimming it’s shine.

How often you wash your hair is a personal choice. Some people will find once a week plenty, while others may struggle to skip a day. Those with curly or wavy hair are usually able to last longer without a wash without the hair looking greasy. Straight and thin hair usually needs more attention as it is usually more easily coated by oils so can appear greasy in less time.

If you’re able to, prolonging the time between washes can be a real game changer for hair health. Top up in between with a spray of dry shampoo and embrace the time you’re saving away from the hairdryer in the heat!

If you’re not ready to extend your washing period, switch to a mild shampoo and try to only apply the formula beneath the scalp to keep the top of your hair nice and healthy.

PROtip: Look out for hydrating shampoos and conditioners as these will help to keep your hair locked full of moisture. Opt for an SPF shampoo if you’re expecting to be spending a lot of time in the sun.

Step 3: Keep it conditioned

Sometimes just washing with your usual shampoo and conditioner just doesn’t cut it. In the summer, your hair needs deep nourishment so it can be a good idea to apply a deep conditioner or hair mask once a week to ensure it stays hydrated and healthy.

Using a deep conditioner or hair mask will moisturise the hair, preventing it from getting dry, while also repairing any damage and restoring the silkiness of the texture.

The BeautyPro Hair Therapy Hair Mask is a deeply nourishing formula that uses Argan Oil and Jojoba Seed Oil to reduce frizz, enhance smoothness and strengthen the follicles. Your hair will be left feeling thick and luscious after just one use. Learn more >>

Step 4: Say no to excess heat

Your hair is out in the sun, battling the UV rays all day - imagine its disbelief when you wake up the next day and clamp it between straighteners. Ouch.

During the summer, you should do what you can to reduce the amount of heat you apply to your hair. If you can avoid your straightener and curlers, your hair will thank you for it.

Similarly, it can be beneficial to minimise the amount of time you spend using the hair dryer. We all have those days where we’re in a rush and have no choice, but if you can opt for a towel dry followed by an air dry to keep your hair’s temperature au natural.

Step 5: Protect your hair from the pool / sea

Picture this - a glistening blue pool on the sunniest day. You get a little hot on your lounger and decide to take a dip. You dive in, swimming deep below the surface. Bliss.... But not for your hair!

In just that first dunk below the surface, your hair has absorbed chlorine. This is not good news. Chlorine can change the colour of your hair, weaken each strand and split the ends. Disaster.

It’s the same in the sea. This can leave your hair tangled, knotty, discoloured and irritated.

An easy way to prevent the chlorine or salt water from being able to absorb into your hair, is to rinse it before with fresh water. This way each strand has already absorbed plenty of liquid without much room for any more, so when the chlorine or salt comes knocking, there’s no room at the inn.

Step 6: Colour protection

As with everything, when your hair is exposed to sunlight for long periods of time it can become discoloured. That fresh dye could fade leaving you feeling cheated.

To stop your colour from changing or fading, there’s 2 things you can do:

Wear a hat or keep your hair in the shade to stop those UV rays causing havoc
Make sure to pick a colour protect formula when choosing hair products as these will form a defence against discolouration

Step 7: Mix up those hair styles

Fight the frizz by switching up your styles in the summer. You want to be picking a loose look that’s not going to trap sweat or leave your hair feeling suffocated. Let your locks breathe and opt for something a little less restrictive.

An added bonus, keeping our hair off of the back of our necks can help our bodies to better regulate our body temperature.

Why not try a messy bun, chunky braid or a loose ponytail?

Step 8: It’s what’s on the inside that counts too!

To look good externally, we’ve also got to make sure we’re looking after ourselves on the inside too. During the summer, make sure to drink plenty of water as this will keep your scalp healthy which is key for good hair growth and follicle health.

Also add some hair friendly food to your diet:

• Proteins such as chicken, dairy and eggs will result in strong and healthy hair.
• Iron, found in lentils, spinach and other leafy greens will feed your hair follicles with a nutrient rich blood supply
• Fruits such as blueberries, kiwi and oranges are rich in Vitamin C aid the absorption of iron as well as being rich in antioxidants.
• Oily fish and avocado is full of Omega-3 which keeps your hair and scalp hydrated.
• Vitamin A is essential to create oils so ensure you’re munching on some orange / yellow coloured veg such as carrots and sweet potatoes
• A lack of zinc can cause the scalp to dry out as well as causing hair loss. Get some into your diet by eating cereals and wholegrains, beef and eggs.

The BeautyPro Hair Therapy Hair Mask is a deeply nourishing formula that uses Argan Oil and Jojoba Seed Oil to reduce frizz, enhance smoothness and strengthen the follicles. Your hair will be left feeling thick and luscious after just one use. Learn more >>