How to Protect Your Hair From the Summer Heat

The sun may add an extra highlighted shine to your hair, and it may give you that summer glow that you covet throughout the rest of the year, but from a hairdresser’s perspective there are more than a few downsides to overexposure.

The sun beats UV rays down onto everything it touches, and also dries out the atmosphere – having an often detrimental effect on the health and condition of hair if you don’t take the adequate steps to protect it.

With that said, our hairdressers and stylists at Boilerhouse have worked to pull together this list of summer advice for your hair, covering how to protect your hair from summer heat and what changes you can make to help your hair look its best this summer.

What does the heat from the sun to hair?

There are a few things that happen to unprotected hair during the summer months. The first is that the UV rays and direct heat exposure damage the outer layers of the hair. Otherwise known as the cuticle, this outer layer becomes rough and attracts humidity, which in turn causes frizz – leaving hair unmanageable, dry, and prone to additional breakage and damage.

And that’s not all. When the summer sun causes sweat across your scalp, hair can look greasier most quickly (ruining your hair wash routine) and can cause even the cleanest hair to look flat.

In short, without adequate protection the sun can wreak havoc on your hair. So, what steps should you take to protect your hair during the summer?

Cover your hair

Arguably one of the easiest ways to protect your hair from the sun’s direct UV rays and heat is to cover it with something – be it a hat of some sort of a scarf. Wide brim hats have the added benefit of protecting your face and neck from the sun, with the aim for your hair being to keep it away from the sun.

Apply UV protection to exposed hair

If UV rays are one of the more damaging aspects of direct sunlight, then it makes sense to block them out with a specially formulated protective treatment or product. Just as you apply suncream to your skin, applying a UV protector to your hair can protect it – either by seeking out a product that has been designed for hair or by applying a sensitive scalp sun protector with built-in UV protection.

Indulge in a deep conditioning treatment

A deep conditioning treatment can be a great way to inject some moisture and life into your hair – not to mention, it adds an extra layer to the cuticle of your hair which protects it from damage in direct sunshine.

Be aware that washing too often can dry the hair out even more

While it may be tempting to wash your hair more often to counteract the sweat and to cool your head down, over-washing can cause the hair to lose its natural oils which then dries it out even more.

Sticking to a regular washing routine which works for you and add the aforementioned deep conditioning treatment every so often to add a boost of moisture.

Stay hydrated

While deep conditioning is a good way to inject moisture directly into the hair, hydrating yourself by drinking plenty of water is integral for keeping yourself healthy during the warm summer months. Hydration is also good for your hair, skin, and nails throughout the year, so is a good habit to get used to.

Avoid using heated tools

This one may seem obvious, but avoiding unnecessary heat is a good way to add a little extra protection to your hair. If you anticipate being out in the sun, cut down on your use of straighteners, curling tongs, and other tools which can exacerbate drying and damage further.

Finally, make sure to indulge in regular trims

Any good hairdresser will tell you that regular hair trims are important all year round, but in the summer, a good trim can help to lift the load from the roots – thus counteracting heavy and flat hair which is caused by the weight and heat.

A trim can also give you a styling refresh, perfect for a new season! Head to our website or get in touch with our team directly to book your next cut and style, and to find out more about some of the products we offer that can help protect your hair all year round.