Summer Hair Care Routine: How To Protect Your Hair From the Sun

You know how the summer heat and humidity can harm your skin. But are you aware of the damage the sun does to your hair? Indeed, heat and humidity combined with sweat and pollution wreak havoc on your hair during this time. Apart from making your crown look dull and lifeless, it can also cause dandruff, split ends, and even hair loss.

To prevent hair damage during the harsh Indian summers, you must engage in some deep and nourishing hair care for summer. Read on to know what damage the sun does to your hair and the measures you need to take to keep your hair healthy and sun-safe.

Before knowing how to take care of hair in summer, let us look at how summer actually harms your hair. The sun’s damaging effects on your hair are readily apparent. The heat and UV rays damage the cuticle, which is the outermost layer of a hair strand or shaft. The cuticle is formed of layers of dead cells and protects the more sensitive inner layers of the shaft. A damaged cuticle exposes these layers, causing further damage to the keratin protein making up your hair. Your hair, thus becomes dry and brittle, warped and frizzy, and can break or develop split ends.

This is just the direct sun damage. The additional humidity and sweat attract dirt and pollution, making your hair clumpy, dull, and lifeless. You lose all the natural volume and shine of your hair. To save your hair from all the above issues, you must engage in a protective and nourishing summer hair care routine.

Keeping your hair healthy and summer-proof will take just a little extra effort. Here are a few tried and tested summer hair care tips that you can follow:

Cover up

The first step is to protect your hair from the harsh sun. The easiest solution is to wear a broad-brimmed hat that will protect your face from the sun along with your hair. Simply tying your hair in a bun and tucking it under a cap also works great. If hats are not your style, a simple scarf or bandana will do the trick. Just remember to open your hair up later and then let it breathe.

UV protection

Like your skin, your hair also needs UV protection. Fortunately, several hair care products today have UV protection formulae in them. Unfortunately, these products are primarily synthetic chemicals and can harm your hair if used excessively. The solution is to use UV protection products sparingly, only as an additional shield together with your hair covering.

Change your hair wash routine

The humidity, sweat, and dirt might make you want to shampoo and wash your hair frequently. No matter how tempting, please do not do it. Too much shampoo strips the natural oil from your scalp and hair, which would have otherwise locked in moisture. This will dry your hair faster, leading to more damage from the heat. Shampoo sparingly, two to three times a week at the most. If possible, go for regenerative products like Trichup Keratin Shampoo, which replaces lost keratin of your hair strands with every wash.

Deep conditioning treatment

Summer calls for protection and nourishment for your hair. Deep conditioning adds nourishment and is thus a vital part of summer hair care. You can go for products like Trichup Keratin Hair Mask. It is rich in keratin and cysteine, the essential building blocks of hair. The mask replenishes lost keratin and adds moisture, providing deep nourishment and adding volume and shine to your hair. The Vasu Aloe Vera Gel is another hair care product that nourishes your hair and protects it from environmental damage during summer.

Trim your hair

While trimming may not sound like good advice, it is one of the best things you can do for your hair in summer. Trimming gets rid of split ends which would otherwise destroy the hair. It also reduces frizz and makes hair more manageable. The reduced volume also helps keep you cool.

Avoid heat tools

Straighteners and curlers are a big no-no in summer. Also, avoid blow dryers as much as possible. It makes no sense to add more heat damage when it is already hot enough outside.

Oil massage

Scalp massage does wonders for your hair. It improves blood circulation in the scalp while adding a moisture-locking layer to the strands. Good old coconut oil is one of the best hair oils out there, forming a part of almost all summer hair care at home routines. Almond oil contains Vitamin E, which is excellent for nourishing your hair during the hot and humid months.

Drink fluids

The best way to nourish your hair is from the inside. Therefore, always keep yourself hydrated. Try fruit juices for added vitamins and minerals. Coconut water is a great source of electrolytes which you inevitably lose with sweat.

Tie your hair up

Tying your hair up during summer is practically a no-brainer. Not only does it protect hair strands from the sun, but tied up hair also helps keep you cool and reduce sweating. You can go for a range of fun and fancy summer hairstyles, from the simple bun and ponytail to the classy braids and twists.

Colour care

If you have coloured hair or are planning to do it, you need to be extra careful during summer. Colouring exposes your hair to harsh chemicals and makes it more prone to damage. So avoid colouring in summer. If at all you must, go for products with organic and hair-safe ingredients. Also, take extra precautions to cover up when stepping out in the sun.

Swimming hair care

If you are a swimmer, your hair will be exposed to the chlorinated pool water. This will destroy your hair if you take no proper precautions. Oil your hair and cover it up with a waterproof swimming cap before taking a dip. Use hair care products specifically made for swimmers.