Sunny days on the beach, refreshing drinks and lots of wonderful relaxation – there's so much to love about summer, but the effects heat can have on your hair aren't among them.
Isn't it tiresome to wonder every year what kind of hair problems summer will cause this time? The good news is that it doesn't have to be that way. By taking proper care of your hair, you can ensure it stays shiny and full all summer long.
Here are our 5 best tips
1. Protect from intense sun
It's not just our skin that's affected by too much sun – hair can also become "burned" and difficult to manage from too much sun exposure. Use a sun hat or scarf of some kind if you're out for longer periods in direct sunlight.
You can also protect your hair a little extra by massaging in a protective oil such as raspberry seed oil or jojoba oil before going out in the sun.
2. Let your hair breathe
Let your hair breathe and live a little extra during summer. Keep it loose or if you have longer hair, make a loose bun or braid. Tighter hairstyles can cause dandruff and scalp problems since they tend to tighten and pull at the hair, especially when your hair is warm and dry from summer heat.
3. Conditioner
Use a moisturizing conditioner and experiment with washing your hair less frequently in summer. If you have dry hair, you can try avoiding shampoo completely for a period and only use conditioner. If you have oily hair, you may need a mild shampoo 1-2 times per week. The conditioner method is an effective way to counteract dry and damaged hair. Try not rinsing out the conditioner completely when you wash it. Let the very last bit remain in your hair. You'll be surprised at how healthy and rehydrated your hair will feel when it's dry.
A woman with long, red hair blowing in the wind. She's wearing a white t-shirt and standing outdoors in front of some trees.
4. Avoid hair dryers & rough towels
If you have problems with dry hair in summer, a hair dryer will make this worse. Let your hair dry outside instead. Conventional bath towels can make hair too dry in summer. Try instead to dry it with a microfiber towel, a cotton t-shirt, or a kitchen towel woven from pure cotton or linen. All of these are gentler and don't dry as harshly as traditional bath towels.
5. Hair mask
One of the absolute best ways to restore your hair's shine and fullness is with a nourishing hair mask. Here's a favorite recipe for summer hair:
Deep conditioning treatment
2 tbsp coconut oil
1 tbsp shea butter
1 tsp argan oil
A few drops of essential oil
Coconut oil deeply rehydrates the hair.
Argan oil is excellent for controlling "frizz" and adding shine.
Shea butter not only provides moisture and shine, but can also help address dandruff and dry scalp.
Essential oils like rosemary, lavender and peppermint strengthen the hair and provide wonderful fragrance.
How to do it
Melt coconut oil and shea butter together in a saucepan over low heat.
Let the mixture cool until it almost solidifies, then add the argan oil.
Whisk everything together with an electric whisk for 3-5 minutes. You'll get a creamy consistency that's much easier to apply to your hair.
Comb through clean, dry hair and leave for 30 minutes.
Rinse hair and then wash as usual.
If you don't have time to make your own hair mask, you can try the nourishing hair mask from Bruns which is a real favorite among our customers.
Good luck and have a wonderful summer!
