Summer means sunshine, fun, and the freedom of the great outdoors. But it can't be said often enough — sun exposure without proper protection can be incredibly damaging to your skin.
We moisturize to counteract the effects of UV rays, yet we often forget that our hair takes just as much of a beating — not only from the sun, but also from ocean salt, pool chlorine, beach sand, and wind. All of these strip moisture, fade colour, and weaken your hair. That's why knowing how to protect your hair from the sun is so important.
Below, I'm sharing tips and advice to help your hair withstand summer's harsh elements — so you can make the most of this beautiful (and all-too-short) season.
In this article, we'll cover how to protect your hair from the sun, specifically:
- What you need to know
- Summer hair care tips
- Quick summer tricks
- Two must-have products for your hair
What You Need to Know
While the sun can bring out brilliant highlights in your hair and stimulate vitamin D production — which helps fix calcium to the hair — UV rays are just as damaging to your hair as they are to your skin.
Infrared rays alter the pH of the scalp, and swimming in the ocean or a pool coats your hair with an alkaline pH that weakens the cuticles and leaves them vulnerable to external damage. And then there's chlorine, which dries out the hair fibre and can cause some very unpleasant surprises for colour-treated hair!
Fortunately, there's a wide range of hair care products and treatments on the market to address these (minor) summer inconveniences. A few smart habits can also go a long way toward making the sun your hair's best friend.
I Summer Hair Care Tips:
- The safest advice is obvious: wear a hat or cap when you're out in the sun. But if you want that golden glow on your face and neck, try wrapping a scarf around your hair like a turban instead.
- Depending on your hair type, you don't necessarily need to wash your hair every day during summer. If you prefer to — or because your hair gets oily quickly — gentle shampoos or formulas designed for oily hair will keep your hair clean without further drying out your scalp and strands.
- Enjoying your pool all summer long? Only the jealous would blame you. Just remember to never wash your hair right before swimming. Doing so strips away natural oils and leaves your hair more vulnerable to chemicals and salt in the water.
- Whether you're at the beach, cycling, or strolling and loving the wind in your hair, protect your strands just like you protect your skin — with the right sun shield. A non-greasy hair sunscreen spray, a dry oil, a protective treatment, or a leave-in conditioner will coat your hair and minimize damage. Reapply every two hours or after swimming, just like sunscreen.
- A non-greasy hair sunscreen spray, a dry oil, a protective treatment, or a leave-in conditioner will coat your hair and minimize damage. Reapply every two hours or after swimming, just like sunscreen.
- If there's a shower near your swimming spot, it's a good idea to rinse your hair as soon as you get out of the water to remove sand, salt, or chlorine. A bottle of clean water that you thought to bring along works just as well.
- Since UV rays make colour-treated hair more fragile than natural hair, it's best to wait before getting highlights or even a full colour before a beach vacation or prolonged sun exposure. You should also avoid vivid colour treatments (intense reds, coppers) — chlorine and salt can cause fading or even colour shifts. Pigmented shampoos for coloured hair can refresh and maintain your shade. Regardless of your colour, these shampoos deposit a fine layer of pigment with every wash.
- During your post-sun shower, I recommend washing your hair with a shampoo for oily hair. It has the ability to deeply cleanse away minerals, dirty water residue, and free radicals. If you have dry, brittle hair, opt for a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo instead. Once or twice a week, follow up by applying a repair mask with an acidic pH along the lengths and ends. This helps reseal the cuticles and protect your hair for the next day. You can also use a conditioner, leaving it on for 3 to 5 minutes.
Quick-Reference Tips for Protecting Your Hair from the Sun...
- UV rays are just as damaging to your hair as they are to your skin.
- Depending on your hair type, daily washing isn't always necessary during summer.
- UV rays make colour-treated hair more vulnerable than natural hair — hold off on highlights or colour before a beach vacation or extended sun exposure.
- After sun exposure, wash your hair with a shampoo formulated for oily hair.
I Quick Summer Tricks
- You can make your own post-beach hair rinse. Seawater is highly alkaline — with a pH of about 8.3 — which opens up your cuticles and leaves hair dry and prone to split ends. In a spray bottle, mix two cups of green tea with the juice of one lemon. Apply after shampooing or right after the beach. DO NOT APPLY IN THE SUN! The lemon could alter your hair colour.
- You can protect and hydrate your hair in one easy step while lounging on the beach. Simply apply a gentle conditioner along the lengths and ends of damp hair, avoiding the roots. Pull it into a ponytail and let it work its magic. Reapply as needed.
- During the summer months, try to avoid flat ironing, blow-drying, and heavy use of gels and hairsprays. Your hair will thank you for the stress-free break.
- Summer is the perfect time to freshen up your hairstyle. If you're not ready for a dramatic change, even a simple trim of the ends will breathe new life into your hair.
- Does the summer heat leave your hair extra dry and frizzy? There are plenty of simple ways to tame frizz and reduce scalp perspiration — try a ponytail, braids, a knot, or a bun.
- Even if you follow all of my recommendations to the letter, if you're not drinking enough water, the results may be disappointing. Your hair and skin benefit enormously from staying well hydrated. And don't forget to load up on fruits and vegetables this summer — your hair will be forever grateful.
I Two Must-Have Products for Summer
The Luc Vincent hair care line offers solutions that let you easily achieve salon-quality results at home — saving you hundreds of dollars a year. Developed with Quebec-based chemists, our products are crafted to the highest standards, compliant with Health Canada regulations, fragrance-free, cruelty-free, and made entirely in Quebec.
4 Nature: Ultra-Gentle VEGAN Shampoo
This is an ideal product for summer, especially for those