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Last Updated on April 12, 2023 by Verna Meachum
It’s no secret that the summer sun can wreak havoc on your hair. From drying out your strands to causing frizz and flyaways, the heat and humidity can leave your mane looking less than its best.
But don’t let that stop you from enjoying all the fun summer has to offer! With a little bit of preventive care and the right products, you can keep your hair healthy and beautiful all season long.
Follow these summer hair care tips to keep your locks looking healthy and beautiful all season long.
Hi everyone! Summer is officially here and that means lots of relaxing by the pool, barbecues with family and friends, and plenty of outdoor activities.
While it’s definitely necessary to enjoy yourself during these warmer months, don’t forget about your hair! The sun, chlorine, and salt water can all take a toll on your locks, leaving them dry, damaged, and frizzy.
But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. I’ve compiled a list of the finest hair products and accessories to keep your hair healthy and hydrated this summer and beyond.
Below are 15 summer hair care must-haves that will help you keep your hair looking its best all season long!
To combat the drying effects of the sun and chlorinated water, switch to a hydrating shampoo and conditioner formula during the summer months. I love the Righteous Roots Clarifying Shampoo, which doubles as a chelating shampoo to remove build-up from hard water and the effects of the beach and pool water.
Righteous Roots 2-in-1 Conditioner is also a great choice for summer. This protein-free, all-natural formula contains baobab oil and glycerin to hydrate and shea butter to combat the humidity by locking the moisture into your hair.
When your hair is wet, use a wide-toothed comb or detangling brush to reduce tangles and knots. Hair is more fragile when it's wet, so be sure to handle it with care. I recommend the Tangle Teezer, Wet Detangler, and the Felecia Leatherwood detangler brush which are specifically designed for use on wet hair, and will work on all hair types.
So, when you're in the shower, be sure to use a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle your strands. This will help prevent breakage and split ends.
This Olaplex hair treatment is a must-have for anybody who has frizzy, dry, or damaged hair, with over 78,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. Olaplex works by repairing the bonds in your hair, resulting in hydrated and healthy locks.
This humidity-resistant gel provides a strong hold without the crunch, making it perfect for frizzy summer hair.
The ApHogee Intensive 2 Minute Keratin Reconstructor is a protein treatment that helps to repair and protect your hair from damage. It only takes two minutes to work its magic, so it's perfect for busy folks on the go.
These large hair clips are perfect for summer updos and can be used to keep your hair out of your face while you're sweating it out at the gym or running errands.
The ideal hair accessory for anyone: an all-in-one hair tie that also serves as a fashionable stackable bracelet.
A summer hat is a must-have for anyone who wants to protect their hair from the sun's harmful rays. I love the hats from San Diego Hat Company, which is made of 100% cotton and has a UPF 50+ rating.
Yes, sunscreen for your hair exists! I recommend the Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Scalp and Hair Mist, which contains SPF 30 and protects your hair from UV damage.
A good hair spray is a summertime essential, especially if you're spending time outdoors. I recommend the amika anti-humidity spray This spray is a restorative hairspray that will protect your hair from heat styling and humidity for more than 24 hours.
The sun can cause your hair to lose its luster, so be sure to use a shine spray or serum to keep your strands looking healthy and shiny. I recommend the Design Essentials Reflections Liquid Shine, which is a lightweight oil-free product transforms dry, dull, and lackluster hair with its state-of-the-art blend. It also provides thermal protection.
UV radiation can cause your hair to become dry, brittle, affects the overall strength of your hair, and is more susceptible to damage. It can also fade the color of your hair, making it look dull and lifeless.
It’s similar to if you were to put furniture in front of a window and the sun beats down on it. The fibers are broken down and color is changed.
A loss of keratin is one of the long-term consequences of UV exposure on hair. Hair is made up of protein, and keratin makes up most of the protein mass of hair fiber, so a loss of it can lead to thinning, breakage, and overall weaker hair.
Keratin is a sulfur-rich protein with cystine amino acid forming disulfide bonds, which is the backbone of hair mechanical strength.
Your scalp can also be affected by the sun’s harmful rays. It can damage the hair follicles, leading to hair loss.
So, these are even more reasons to beef up your summer hair care regimen to preserve your hair and scalp this summer!
There are a few things you can do to help reduce the risks of UV hair damage.
To protect your hair from the harmful effects of UV radiation, you’ll need to use a sunscreen specifically designed for hair. The products below are must-haves to add to your summer hair care arsenal.
Righteous Roots oils provides exceptional protection against photo-induced hair damage.
The treatments include natural emollients, oils, and butter to boost hair smoothness and the outer protective layer against UV damage.
Coconut oil is a wonderful oil for protecting hair from the sun. Coconut oil, alone among oils, has been found to prevent protein loss in both healthy/damaged hair. I prefer the unrefined version of this oil.
Shea butter is another great option for summer hair care. It’s a natural emollient that can help to protect your hair from the sun’s harmful rays.
Avocado oil is also rich in vitamins and antioxidants, making it a great choice for summer hair care.
The oil, besides providing an UV filter, also boasts numerous advantages such as softening and lustering hair, detangling and protecting against breakage.
Now that you know all about summer hair care, be sure to stock up on the products you need to keep your locks healthy and damage-free!
Aside from keeping your locks healthy, this creme claims to minimize frizz, prevent hair breakage, and provide sun protection. If you want to minimize the impact of UV radiation or heal damaged hair, it’s a fantastic option!
Don’t worry if you’re already seeing the effects of UV radiation on your hair! Depending on how much damage there is, the impact can be reversed with the appropriate treatments.
Here are a few summer hair care repair tips:
Once a week, give your summer-ravaged hair some extra love with a deep conditioning treatment. Look for a treatment that contains protein to help repair damaged hair.
Olaplex is a product that can be used at home or in the salon to help repair summer hair damage. Olaplex works by rebuilding the disulfide bonds that are broken down by UV radiation.
Protein treatments can also help to repair summer hair damage. Protein treatments help to replenish the proteins that are lost when hair is damaged by UV radiation.
If your summer hair damage is extensive, you may need to get a trim (or even a chop!) to get rid of the damaged ends.
Prevention is key to avoiding damage from the sun’s rays, but don’t despair if you’ve already started to see the effects of summer on your hair. With a little extra care, you can repair summer hair damage and get your locks back to their healthy state!
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair!
This deep conditioning treatment from Briogeo is formulated with biotin, keratin, and ginseng root extract to help repair summer hair damage.
Kerastase Resistance Masque Therapiste
This protein-rich mask from Kerastase helps to rebuild summer hair damage and prevent future breakage.
Aphogee Two Minute Reconstructor
This treatment from Aphogee helps to repair summer hair damage with protein and amino acids.
This mask from Redken is formulated with proteins and ceramides to help summer-damaged hair recover.
So, there you have it! These are just a few of the products you can use to repair summer hair damage.
If you’re having trouble deciding which treatment is ideal for your hair, speak to your stylist about which treatment would be best for your summer hair care.
For more tips on summer hair care, check out The Science of Summer Hair Care And How To Protect It blog.
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