It’s important to proactively preserve the health of your hair and scalp—and sometimes, that can be challenging. Summer is especially tough, as the weather is not exactly conducive to keeping your hair hydrated and vivacious. Before you head out for a day at the beach, the lake, or the pool, we invite you to consider a few ways in which you can shield your lovely locks from summer’s wear and tear.How Does Summer Impact Your Hair?
Make no mistake: The summer elements can do a number on your hair, and in more ways than one. Here are just a few of the concerns you might have:
- Typically bouncy, vibrant hair suddenly becomes limp and lifeless—likely due to high humidity in the atmosphere.
- Sweat and dust clog your pores and lead, ultimately, to hair loss.
- The summer sun dries out your hair completely, and also leaves your scalp burned or raw.
These are all potentially big problems, but they’re by no means insurmountable.
How to Safeguard Your Hair from Summer
Here are some specific ways to make sure you’re protecting your hair and skin this summer.
- Go easy on the cosmetic treatments. The big risk of summer is that your hair and scalp will simply get too dried out—so it’s important not to do anything additional to sap your natural moisture. Most chemical treatments—including coloring—have a dehydrating effect, so avoid them if you can.
- Put the heat appliances away. Again, anything that dries out your hair should be avoided during summer, and heat appliances certainly fit that description. If it is at all possible, we highly recommend finding styling options that do not include curling irons, blow dryers, etc. At the very least, try to use them sparingly.
- Use conditioner. Having a good rinse-out conditioner—one that suits your hair type—is always important, and can be especially useful when you’re regularly swimming in the pool. If you need help identifying the best conditioner for your needs, come to Mane Image and ask us!
- Shampoo sparingly. Shampooing your hair can dry it out, so we’d actually recommend doing it as infrequently as you can—every two or three days, maybe, or perhaps even just once a week. If you tend to sweat a lot and feel like you need daily shampooing to keep your scalp clean, make sure you have a gentle, all-natural shampoo. Again, we can help you pick a good one.
- Be careful when you swim. Always avoid shampooing right before a swim. Shampooing eliminates the protective oils from your hair, which means chemicals in the pool can really go a lot of damage. Do rinse out your hair as soon as you finish swimming, though.
- Make sure you get a trim. Keep those split ends from getting out of hand! At least once or twice this summer, make an appointment for a trim with your favorite stylist.
- Don’t forget the sunscreen! If you’re going to be out in the sun for any length of time, you’ll want to shield your hair and scalp from its rays. There are a couple of good ways to do this. One is just to wear a scarf, of course, but another is to get a leave-in conditioner that has sunblock built into it.
- Stay hydrated! The role of moisture in your hair health cannot be overstated. During summer’s heat, drinking plenty of water is vital. Coconut water is especially helpful, as it enhances your body’s fluid retention.
- Get a consultation. If you are having any particular problems with your hair or scalp, get them checked into. Red spots on your skin, dandruff, itchiness—these are not things you want to ignore. Get them evaluated before they spiral into bigger or more lasting problems.
Get Help with Your Hair
Keeping your hair healthy requires some work—especially during summer. At Mane Image, we want to help you—and we’re ready when you are. Come down to Mane Image for a full consultation, and learn more about what you can do to protect your hair and scalp from the hot weather.
