Don’t you just love spending long summer days soaking up the sun and spending every possible moment outside? We do too. But while the sunshine-y warmth is great for our mood (and our social calendar!), it isn’t so great for our hair. The sun and heat can leave strands dry, frizzy and damaged. To fight back and maintain your hair health, proper care is essential. “Give your hair the same thought for summer protection as you would for your skin,” says Abbie Thompson, Sally Educator & Platform Artist. “Protection and hydration are the key to having fun in the sun with zero regrets later.”
With that in mind, we’ve got summer hair care tips to protect & nourish your strands all season long.
In this article
How The Sun & Heat Affect Your Hair
While the sun and heat can always cause damage, those chances are significantly dialed up during the summer. UV rays and excessive heat can significantly compromise your hair's health and appearance.
Harsh UV rays can penetrate the hair shaft and break down the proteins that give your hair strength and elasticity. This can lead to weakened hair prone to breakage and split ends. Extended sun exposure can also cause dryness, brittleness and colour fading.
Excessive heat can also negatively affect your hair health, stripping your hair of its natural oils, resulting in dry, dull hair that’s prone to breakage. Whether it's from blow-drying, curling irons, or time spent in hot air, high temperatures can cause moisture loss and make your hair susceptible to frizz and damage.
Here are some ways to help protect your hair from the elements:
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Start by shielding your hair from direct sunlight with a hat or scarf.
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Apply a heat protectant to form a protective barrier like the ion Sun Care Heat Protective Spray.
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Take a break from excessive heat styling. Allow your hair to air-dry whenever possible and limit the use of hot tools.
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When you are heat styling, opt for tools meant to help minimize damage and increase shine like the ion Luxe Cold Vapor Styler. And always apply a hydrating heat protectant. Thompson’s pro tip: “Try to minimize your tool’s heat setting. If it is too hot, it can lead to irreparable damage.”
Winning The Battle Against Frizz And Dehydration
If you’ve ever spent time styling your hair to perfection only to watch it swell up the minute you step outside, you know the summer frizz struggle is real. You can thank the combination of heat, humidity and sun exposure for that.
When the air is humid, the atmospheric moisture penetrates the hair shaft, causing it to poof up and frizz. Plus, exposure to the heat and the sun's UV rays can lead to frizz-loving dryness and damage.
Try these tips for combating frizz and maintaining hydrated, healthy hair:
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Begin by using gentle wash day essentials specifically formulated for frizz control like the ion Keratin Smoothing Shampoo and ion Keratin Smoothing Conditioner. Also look for products containing ingredients like argan oil or shea butter, which help moisturize and tame frizz.
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After washing your hair, keep from vigorously rubbing it with a towel. Instead, gently squeeze out the excess water and allow your hair to air-dry or use a diffuser attachment on your blow dryer. The ion Luxe Turbosonic Hair Dryer comes with a magnetic diffuser attachment that snaps on with ease.
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Minimize heat styling. The combination of hot styling tools and humid weather can spell style trouble. When possible, embrace your natural texture and opt for heat-free hairstyles such as braids, slicked-back ponies, or updos. Perfect pairs for heatless styles: The ion Sun Care Air Dry Cream helps reduce frizz, boost volume and define curls while the ion Sun Care Sea Salt Spray creates easy, beachy waves.
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Apply a deep conditioning summer hair care treatment once a week to replenish moisture and nourish. Add leave-in conditioners or hair oils into your summer hair care routine to help lock in hydration.
Swimming Without Causing Hair Damage
Swimming is an excellent way to cool off during the summer, but the activity has its own set of hair challenges.
Chlorine in pool water and salt in sea water can strip the natural oils from your hair, leaving it dry, brittle and prone to breakage. Another issue is discolouration, particularly for those with lighter hair (whether it’s naturally light or colour-treated). Chlorine can cause hair to take on a green or yellowish hue, a.k.a “chlorine green.”
The good news is there are some pre- and post-swim measures you can take to help minimize the damage.
Pre-Swim Hair Care
Help prevent damage before it starts.
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Wet your hair with tap water before swimming to help minimize the amount of chlorine or saltwater absorbed by your hair.
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Apply a leave-in conditioner or oil to help create a barrier, protecting your hair from the damaging effects of pool or sea water.
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Thompson’s Pro Tip: “Keep wetting and/or reapplying your leave-in conditioner if your hair dries in between jumping in and out of the chlorinated water.”
Post-Swim Hair Care
Help minimize the effects.
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Start by rinsing your hair with fresh water to remove any residual chlorine or salt.
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Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner specifically formulated for swimmers to restore moisture and nourishment to your hair.
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In addition to regular cleansing, use a deep conditioning treatment once a week, like bondbar Bonding Hydration Mask, to help replenish lost moisture.
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Avoid using heat styling tools and opt for air-drying instead.
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Use a wide-tooth comb or soft bristle brush to help gently detangle and prevent breakage.
Prevention is key when it comes to preserving the health of your hair during swim season. By following these pre-swim protective measures and post-swim care routines, you can enjoy your time in the water without worrying about damage.
Choosing The Right Summer Hair Care Products
Reaching for protective, hydrating hair care is essential for maintaining healthy, vibrant strands during the hot, humid months.
Gentle Shampoos and Conditioners
Gentle shampoos cleanse your hair without stripping away its natural oils. Opt for sulfate-free products that contain moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera or coconut oil. These shampoos help maintain your hair's natural moisture balance, preventing it from becoming dry and brittle.
In addition, conditioning plays a crucial role in nourishing your hair. Deep conditioning treatments are highly recommended during the summer to replenish moisture and repair any damage caused by sun exposure or chlorine. Apply a generous amount of conditioner from mid-length to ends, leaving it on for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
Styling Products That Hydrate & Protect
What you use on your hair post-shower is just as important as what you use in the shower. Leave-in styling products that add much-needed moisture or protection from the sun are key. When it comes to formulas, leave-in creams are great for medium to thick hair, while sprays are fine-hair friendly.
Hair Colour Maintenance Essentials
If you colour your hair, protecting against the summer elements is a true non-negotiable because exposure to the sun, pool and sea can cause colour-fade and brassiness. Since the same elements can also be drying, they can take hair colour from vibrant to dull pretty quickly. The fix? Invest in colour-protecting wash-day essentials like colour protection shampoos, conditioners and styling products designed to prolong the life of your colour. If you have vivid hair colour, we recommend the Strawberry Leopard Colour Care Bundle designed specifically for brighter shades (check out our full Strawberry Leopard vivid hair care routine). Plus, colour-depositing shampoos, conditioners and masks are great for reviving your colour between applications.
By following these tips, you can keep your hair looking cool, stylish and healthy throughout the summer.
