You know you need to properly treat and protect your skin in the warm summer months, but do you give the same amount of attention to your hair? Summer’s high humidity levels combined with lots of sun exposure can wreak havoc on the health and hydration of your hair. And it isn’t just the sun we need to worry about: salt water and charcoal water both can strip hair of its natural oils, leaving it parched and lacking hydration. Dry hair is more fragile, easily broken, and prone to damage. Not to mention that dry hair is more likely to frizz out of control as it tends to soak up humidity. The hair shaft can swell and break, leaving you with hair frizzing out everywhere. But I promise it's not all bad news! There are plenty of steps you can take to protect your skin in the summer, keeping it strong, healthy and hydrated. 

Space Out Your Washes and Switch to a Moisturizing Shampoo 

Treating or avoiding dry, frizzy hair starts in the shower. In the summer it is normal to want to wash our hair everyday, but many shampoos are indirectly harsh and drying to the hair. If you can help it, try washing your hair every other day to avoid stripping it of all its natural oils. A dry shampoo is a great way to help space out your washes if you still feel a bit greasy on the off-days. Dry shampoo can also work as a volumizer and style extender to add some life and texture back to second-day hair. When you do opt for a full wash, switch to a moisturizing shampoo and be sure to apply it to roots only, then work the lather through to the rest of your hair. Some extra attention to your scalp will also boost circulation and assist in exfoliating any dead skin cells that have built up. Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp.

Protect Your Locks From the Sun

You’re already working hard to protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays, so don’t neglect to do the same for your hair. A wide brimmed hat is your best bet as it can protect both your scalp, hair and skin. If you’re not a hat person, you can also opt to apply a hair care product with UV filters to protect from sun damage and keep color-treated hair from fading.

Replace Lost Moisture

Hands down the best treatment for dry, frizzy hair is added hydration. A moisturizing conditioner followed by a hair oil to seal in moisture and and a weekly or bi-weekly conditioning hair mask is going to be the both the best remedy for dry hair as well as protecting from future damage. Conditioner post-shampoo will help smooth out and soften frizzy locks as well as protect them from environmental factors like humid, summer days. A hair oil can help nourish brittle ends and help you comb through tangles with less breakage. Remember when it comes to hair oil: less is more, or you risk weighing down your hair. 

Don’t Forget to Hydrate from Within

I can’t resist an opportunity to remind you to drink enough water each day, so here it is! Strong, shiny, nourished hair started with you being hydrated. Water is essential for brain, heart, and organ health and it extends all the way to the radiance of your hair. In the summertime especially, make sure you are drinking enough water to support all of these processes.

The summer months can be especially damaging to hair, but you can both combat the damage as well as protect your hair with these healthy summer hair tips!