How to Keep Your Hair Healthy All Summer Long

The summer months, full of sunbathing, paddling in the sea, and hiking, are great for unwinding and spending quality time with your partner and friends. While days spent in the sun are relaxing, the heat and humidity can damage hair, leading to breakage.

Below, we’ve compiled our tips on maintaining a healthy head of hair throughout the summer and into the autumn.

Shielding Your Hair from UV Damage

Just like your skin, your scalp and hair need protection from the sun. UV rays can weaken the hair’s protein structure, making it brittle, prone to split ends, and more likely to break. Sun exposure can also cause fading and dullness by breaking your hair’s pigment.

UV rays dry out the scalp, potentially causing irritation and flakiness. Oil production can increase as your skin tries to compensate, and your skin will be exposed at your parting, leaving the same area exposed to the damaging effects of UV rays every day.

To protect your hair, you can use a leave-in UV protection spray that acts like sunscreen for your strands, shielding them from damage. Heat-protective leave-in conditioners are another great option, especially if you’re styling with heat or spending time in dry climates.

Nourishing from Within

A balanced diet with oily fish, eggs, leafy greens, nuts, lean meats, and seeds plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy hair year-round, not just during the summer. Healthy hair strands need protein, as it’s the building block of keratin, the main structural component of hair. Omega-3 fatty acids help keep your scalp hydrated and reduce inflammation, supporting hair follicle health.

Iron, bitoni, and zinc are helpful for growth and repair. Iron aids red blood cells in moving oxygen to hair follicles, while zinc supports cell renewal and the function of oil glands, keeping the scalp balanced. Biotin (vitamin B7) is often linked to improved hair strength and thickness, so look for hair loss vitamins formulated with it and zinc to nourish your locks.

Hydration & Deep Conditioning for Summer Hair

Summer elements can dry out your hair, while air conditioning in your hotel or Airbnb can sap moisture from your hair and scalp. Saltwater can also draw out natural oils, leaving strands rough and brittle.

Natural oils like shea butter and Moroccan argan oil are antioxidants and fatty acid-rich, helping soften and protect hair. Once a week, apply a generous amount to your hair when it’s damp, focusing on the ends, and leave it for at least 20 minutes. Rinse it thoroughly for a smooth, glossy look.

Tame Heat Styling & Embrace Natural Looks

Minimising heat styling in the summer is one of the best ways to protect your hair from becoming prone to breakage. Hot tools like curling wands can strip moisture from already sun-stressed hair, weakening its structure over time.

Instead, you can opt for easy, heat-free styles that evoke a relaxed summer atmosphere. Braids and plaits are favourites for keeping hair neat, reducing tangling, and protecting delicate strands from sun exposure. For a beachy, undone look, try air-drying your hair after washing and scrunching in a texturising spray or salt spray to enhance natural waves. You can also loosely twist or braid damp hair overnight for soft, heat-free curls by morning.

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.