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How To Protect Your Hair From Damage This Summer

As the weather heats up and the sun comes out, here’s how to make sure your curls are protected.
26 May 2021
Here’s what you’re up against when it comes to summer hair and the reason why hair protection is so important. First, there’s overexposure to UV rays, which particularly for color-treated hair, can result in excess dryness and compromised color. (Think brassiness and even changing of hues.) Then, there’s what happens when your hair is exposed to saltwater, which can strip it completely of its natural oils, leaving your locks brittle and broken.

And unfortunately, that's not it. There’s chlorine exposure from pools; this can cause a chemical reaction that incites breakage, split-ends, and increased dryness. Lastly, chances are you’ll sweat more when the weather warms up, which can increase dandruff production. So, as you see, there’s quite a lot your hair faces during the summer. But, never fret. Ahead, we’ll show you how to protect your summer hair so you don’t end up with damaged hair.

How Can I Protect My Hair During Summer?

The good news is that damaged hair during the summer isn’t inevitable, and there are plenty of ways to help protect yourself from the common afflictions that can plague our strands. Even better, they’re pretty simple. We’ll show you the curly hair products that you need to add to your stash, as well as the best protective hairstyles, summer hairstyles, and other methods for hair protection that you can try as the days heat up.

Find Your Personalized Routine!
Know your curls better than ever before! Our quick and easy 5-step quiz, which uses powerful data to determine your hair type, will help you understand your strands. Set aside a couple of minutes to answer some simple questions, and we’ll take care of the rest. At the end, we’ll identify your curl type and main hair concerns, and provide expert tips, product recommendations, and a personalized routine. The journey to gorgeous hair starts now. Click Here to find your personalized routine.

The Best Products For Summer Hair Protection

If you’ve posed the question “What can I put in my hair to protect it from the sun?,” look no further. The most important thing to note is that moisture should be your number one priority, so be on the lookout for nourishing damaged hair products, specifically. Behold a list of emollient and hydrating formulas to throw in your cart ASAP.

Goddess Strength Fortifying Sulfate Free Shampoo: Here’s the thing, you can’t completely stop shampooing your summer hair—that’d be counterproductive. When you do wash your hair, just be sure to use a hydrating, sulfate-free, rich formula like this one. It will properly cleanse without exacerbating dryness.

Hair Milk Cleansing Conditioner: Alternate your weekly shampoo washes with a cleansing conditioner, like this one. It’s packed with vitamin B3 and biotin and dishes out a gentle cleanse without stripping—it’s the perfect shampoo alternative.

Almond Milk Restoring Conditioner: With almond oil, aloe butter, and shea oil, this hydrating conditioner fortifies deep without weighing your hair down.

Black Vanilla Moisture & Shine Leave-In Conditioner: No matter what you do, you must use a leave-in post-wash to restore your hair’s moisture levels. This one with lavender and honeysuckle is perfect because of its lightweight nature yet penetrative properties.

Coco Crème Curl Quenching Deep Moisture Mask: Once a week, it’s beneficial to do a deep masking with this cream mask. For best results, let it sit on your hair for 15 minutes under a heated cap, then rinse with cool water.

Healthy Hair Butter: This hydrating formula, devoid of petroleum and mineral oil, allows hair to be styled how you please while also revitalizing its health.

Monoi Oil Sacred Strengthening Serum: Best applied to wet hair, this strengthening serum is packed with hair-loving ingredients and doesn’t leave a greasy finish. Damaged hair products like these will leave your curls rejoicing at its benefits.

The Best Hairstyles and Hair Care Tips For Summer Hair Protection

Now that you know what products you need to use, there’s also a certain level of care required for maximum hair protection. Follow these tips:

Tip #1: Wear a hat when you can
While it may not go with every outfit, if you’re ever out for a simple walk or busy running errands, throw a hat on. You’ll (temporarily) block UV rays and reduce the risk of sun damage for your hair. Try pairing the hat with a tight, low bun to keep the lengths, and not just your roots, protected. If you frequent short curly hairstyles, however, just the hat will do the trick.

Tip #2: Condition your hair before swimming
Before you take a dip, coat your hair in a conditioner from root to tip and toss it into a bun. The dehydrating tendencies of the chlorine or saltwater will be combated by your conditioned hair. Once you’re done for the day, wash and condition as normal. Your hair won’t feel stringy or dry.

Tip #3: Try protective styling
The name is pretty self-explanatory. Protective hairstyles, such as box braids, faux locs, and twists, keep your natural hair tucked away and safe from the elements. Even better, they’re super low-maintenance, so less styling for you. (With that said, your scalp is still exposed, so proper hydration with these summer hairstyles is still a must.)

How To Manage Damaged Hair

Just because you already have damaged hair, that doesn’t mean you should neglect it. In fact, when your hair is in a compromised state, that’s when the need for repair is at an all-time high.

Tip #1: Trim more frequently
Those who wear curly hairstyles can usually afford to trim less often. But when your hair is damaged, it’s a good idea to increase the frequency. Your hair is at a higher risk of drying out and developing split ends, which you’ll want to trim away. You should also be sure to trim in-between protective hairstyles.

Tip #2: Up the moisture
Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. With summer hairstyles, you should constantly be thinking of ways to hydrate your hair. That said, before you wash, do a pre-poo treatment, where you oil your hair before you shampoo. Be sure to apply oil once your hair is still wet, and don’t forget to pack your curls with a leave-in treatment.

Before you try these methods for summer hair, find out more about hydrating even the driest of curls.

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