The long sunshine hours prove to be advantageous. We have ample time for work and rejuvenation. Be it a day-long work, a dip in the pool, a vacation at the beach or simply stepping out for a night out; this and more can all be a day’s work. But the sun, chlorine, and saltwater can make your lustrous hair dry and lifeless. Dry hair aside, the increasing heat and humidity can also cause a dry scalp. And the obvious way to protect your mane is through proper summer hair care. Listed below are tips that will help you in keeping your hair shining and hydrated this summer.
Summer Hair Care Tips for Dry Hair
Follow these simple summer hair care tips to fix common hair problems like dry hair, dry scalp, and frizzy hair:
1. Remove Split Ends
Start the summer season with a haircut or a slight trim. This will help you get rid of the split ends along with dry, damaged hair strands which appear unwieldy. A mid-season trim will also be required as the normal summer hairstyles like a back bun, ponytail, or a hair-band cause the hair ends to break and split.
2. Do Not Comb Wet Hair
Wet hair is more prone to damage. So, avoid brushing and combing your hair immediately after a shower or swim. Towel-dry the wet hair completely before easing tangles. And remember to use a wide-toothed comb for the same. Remember, proper brushing and combing help distribute the moisture equally along the hair strands. So, make sure you do it correctly.
3. Avoid Daily Hair Wash
Washing your hair every day may appear necessary to remove summer sweat and dirt. Also, many may think a daily wash makes the hair more manageable. But these practices rather zap away the natural oil and moisture, leaving the hair dull and dry. So, do not wash your hair more than thrice a week.
4. Choose a Moisturising Shampoo
Invest in a good shampoo that cleanses, moisturises, and repairs your hair strands. Avoid shampoos that contain sulphates because it strips the hair of its natural moisture, causing it to dehydrate further.
5. Condition Well
A good hair conditioner repairs dry hair by sealing the cuticles, bringing back that shine, and increasing the blood circulation to the scalp. A lavish application of a hair conditioner after a hair wash also protects the hair from the high level of humidity which is the main reason for frizzy hair.
6. Deep Conditioning
Deep conditioning is necessary for summer hair care for dry hair. One can opt for a monthly hair spa from a reputed salon or use hair masks at home to deep condition the hair strands. While the regular conditioners form the protective outer covering, the deep conditioners penetrate much deeper into the hair cuticles to repair them from the inside.
7. Avoid Hair Products that Contain Alcohol
Alcohol is used in hair products for a variety of reasons. Hair care products usually contain ethanol, denatured alcohol, propanol, SD alcohol, propyl alcohol, and isopropyl alcohol. But if you suffer from problems like dry hair and dry scalp, chances are that your symptoms will get worse after using these products. These are the short-chain types of alcohol that dry the hair strands further. The alcohol products that are good for the hair are the ones that contain long-chain [fatty alcohol] or emulsifying alcohol.
8. Avoid the Hot Styling Tools
Though the heat styling tools like the hair straightening or curling tongs promise that ultra-glam look, they are too harsh for the hair. They damage the hair cuticles, resulting in dry hair and breakage. While a good conditioner and periodic deep conditioning can help reverse the damage but only to a certain extent. So, it’s advisable to keep the use of heat styling tools to the bare minimum. Go in styling without heat.
9. Enjoy a Good Oil Massage
A good hair massage, at least once a week, with coconut oil, will help keep all hair problems at bay. Whether it is dry hair treatment or dry scalp treatment; coconut oil is a great natural remedy for treating damaged hair. With 94% fats, an excellent source of E and K vitamins and packed with zinc and iron, coconut oil is a must for hair concerns like dry hair, coarse hair, sun-damaged hair, brittle hair, and split ends. You can also use it as an active ingredient in a homemade hair mask.
10. Spare Time for a Salon Visit
The use of high-quality hair care products helps you to repair your strands from the comfort of your home. But this is peanuts in terms of hair nourishment in comparison to what a professional dry hair treatment can do to your hair. Customising the hair treatment depending upon the extent of damage and executing the treatment the required way can help you correct all wrongs. So, do not skip your regular salon visits.
11. Pay Attention to Triggers
As the outdoor temperatures begin to soar, our scalp sweats more. This leads to dry scalp and associated troubles. Going a step forward, the humidity inhibits the easy evaporation of this sweat. The dirt, bacteria, and excess oil production only make matters worse. This may trigger a dandruff outbreak, cause itchy skin, or other scalp conditions. Do not ignore these symptoms. Instead, customise your summer hair care routine to manage these outbreaks immediately.
12. Stay Hydrated and Eat Well
A well-balanced diet and adequate water intake will go a long way in making the hair strong and healthy from the inside. The hair that is healthy inside will be able to beat summer heat better. Followed by a good hair care regimen, this will make your locks smooth, shiny, and glorious.
Ensure that your diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables and is typically high in vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients. Remember, it’s the deficiencies in the diet that reflect in dull and dry hair. Remember to avoid alcohol as a beverage as it is a diuretic and leads to dehydration and dryness.
13. Take Dietary Supplements
In summer, our general appetite goes down. With this, the intake of vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients also goes down. But these are necessary for overall skin and hair care. Thus, popping a daily supplement can make the summer hair care routine easier. Don’t miss out on iron, folate, vitamin D and B12, and selenium supplements to keep your hair healthy.
14. Exercise Regularly
A regular exercise regimen is beneficial for the hair too. It promotes the circulation of blood which makes the hair healthier from the roots. Also, a good exercise routine perks up the metabolism rate and regulates digestion. The elimination of body waste easily and quickly reduces the toxic buildup in the body which leads to hair problems like dry hair and dry scalp.
Conclusion
Simple summer hair care practices can prove to be a holy grail for hair problems like dry hair and dry scalp. Summers are the time to go natural. So, stick to basic shampoos and conditioners that are moisturising and nourishing. Stay away from harmful hair chemicals and heat styling tools. So, whether you go swimming or plan a vacation at the beach, your hair is all ready for the hot summers.
