EXPERT TIPS
Summer is just around the corner, and as the days get longer, warmer and brighter, it’s likely that you’ll be spending more time outdoors enjoying all that summertime has to offer. However, while you’re relaxing on a sun lounger soaking up the rays, your strands might be suffering. Sun, heat, humidity, chlorine and salt water can all take a toll on your hair. The result? Dry, dull, lacklustre locks that need a little love to restore that sun-kissed summer glow!
No matter your hair type, we’ve put together five top tips to keep your hair feeling healthy, hydrated and ready for every summer adventure.
Discover our top tips to keep your hair looking beautiful throughout sunshine season and beyond!
Suncream isn’t just for your skin! Your scalp and hair need sun protection too. Without it, the sun’s UV rays can damage the hair fibre, resulting in dry, brittle strands, as well as fading colour.
Wide-brimmed sunhats and scarves aren’t just a chic poolside look, they’re also an easy way to protect both your hair and scalp from the sun. To be extra sun-savvy, combine this with products containing built-in SPF, such as leave-in mists. These often have extra caring benefits, giving you a dose of protection and nourishment in one.
Yes! Summer is an extra challenging time for coloured hair. The sun, beaches, swimming pools and heat can all cause hair colour to fade and lose its vibrance. This makes it especially important for people with coloured hair to use products with UV filters to prolong those gorgeous shades.
To give your hair colour the best chance of survival during summer, choose a high-quality formula that’s designed to last. You can also give coloured locks an extra boost by touching up or toning between your usual colouring schedule to keep your shade looking fresh. Check out our Schwarzkopf colour products, offering permanent shades alongside glosses and toners that are perfect for those summer touch ups.
Did you know? Even if you’ve never dyed your hair, the sun’s rays can alter your natural colour, gradually lightening it into a more sun-kissed shade!
During the summer your scalp has a lot to deal with. Humidity, swimming, sand and even wearing hats can all contribute to increased oil production and build-up.
Don’t be afraid to switch up your hair-washing routine and schedule in a few more scrubs during the summer months. Remember, there is no right or wrong when it comes to how often you wash your hair!
Top Tip: Use a clarifying shampoo regularly to achieve a deeper cleanse, sweep away impurities and combat product build-up.
If you’ve ever lightened your hair, you’ll likely be familiar with the distinctive brassiness or discolouration chlorine can cause. That not-so-pretty green hue? It’s caused by chlorine oxidising with metals in pool water, producing a chemical which sticks to your hair. If that wasn’t bad enough, both chlorine and seawater can be super drying and damaging, stripping hair of its natural oils.
If you do fancy going for a dip, always rinse your hair thoroughly with water before getting into the pool (this helps your hair to absorb chlorine more slowly) and also rinse afterwards, to remove as much of the chlorine as possible. Once you’re out of the water, use a conditioning treatment or mask to rehydrate your hair. Follow this method when splashing about in the sea too. Your hair will thank you for it.
During the summer season, exposure to the sun’s heat can cause frizzy, damaged hair. To tame this frizz, it’s tempting to reach for your favourite heat styling tool. The bad news? Any extra exposure to heat will only cause more stress to your hair. Why not take advantage of the warmer weather and air-dry your hair instead? Or make it the time you finally try out that heatless curling method you saw on social media!
If the idea of ditching your heat styling tools during summer is too much to bear (we get it) then make sure you always use a good heat protectant and style with a low temperature to minimise damage.
Summer is the time to stock your shelves with hydrating shampoos, conditioners and masks, helping to restore some much-needed moisture into your locks.
But did you know it’s also just as important to keep hydrated from the inside out? Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water to avoid a dehydrated, dry or flaky scalp!
Top Tip: If your hair tends to get weighed down easily, look for products offering ‘lightweight’ hydration, as these are specifically formulated for finer strands.
It’s true! The summer season can in fact have a positive effect on hair growth. When the climate is warm, your blood circulates more easily, meaning your scalp is more likely to get the nutrients it needs to produce Keratin, an essential building block of hair.
Increased exposure to vitamin D from the sun can also stimulate your hair follicles, encouraging new hair growth.
Summer may be one of the toughest seasons for your hair’s health, but by following our expert top tips, you can enjoy healthy, hydrated and sun-kissed hair without sacrificing any of your summer plans! Catch you poolside…