The ultimate summer hair care according to hair stylists

Just as you’re used to protecting your skin from the sun with sunscreens, you should also think about your hair. There is a whole range of trusty beauty tools to protect it – not only from the sun, but also from salt water and the chlorine in swimming pools. Sprays, shampoos and hair creams that contain SPF and other beneficial ingredients take care of essential hydration and give it the healthy shine you desire.

Hair Care in Summer Has Its Rules with SPF

If you are going to spend the whole day in the sun or you know you have fine hair that’s more prone to damage, you should definitely use hair products with UV protection in the summer. They usually contain an SPF from 10 to 50, whilst on hot summer days higher protection for your hair against the sun, i.e. SPF 30–50, is worth it. What’s more, hair care with UV filters have a number of further benefits. 

“They contain hydrating ingredients such as coconut oil, argan oil and jojoba oil, as well as glycerine or hyaluronic acid, which protects your hair from drying out. Often, you’ll also find they contain antioxidants, vitamin E or green tea extract. Most of the time, they also have keratin or collagen – substances that strengthen the hair structure. Botanical extracts are no exception. Extracts of aloe vera, lavender and various herbal ingredients have a soothing and regenerating effect on the hair and scalp,” explains hair stylist Tibor Němec. 

Another advantage of high SPF hair products is that they can usually protect both your hair and your scalp from the sun. Thanks to this, you can avoid a very unpleasant and often painful sunburnt parting. 

If You Don’t Have Sun Protection for Your Hair

If you forget to protect your hair against the sun, it can cause your hair to dry out, damage to its structure and the hair colour to fade and a loss of elasticity.

“Sunlight dries your hair out and removes the natural moisture. This makes it more fragile and prone to breakages. There is also a risk of damage to the overall structure of the hair, leading to a loss of elasticity and split ends, which then have to be trimmed. Hair continuously exposed to aggressive sunlight in combination with sea water or chlorinated water, for example, loses its shine. It looks unhealthy and dull. Dyed hair then loses its original shade as the colour fades,” says hair stylist Kateřina Hamplová, listing all the pitfalls for your hair caused by the sun.

Summer Hair Care: When and How to Use It

For instance, you should ideally use a hair spray with SPF around 15–30 minutes before going to the beach, and use it about three times a day. Use a hair cream with SPF or hair oil, preferably only twice a day, and apply it to your hair evenly and very carefully. “A hair cream or oil with SPF can especially make fine and thin hair greasier and generally weigh it down,” explains hair stylist Tibor Němec. 

And how much sun protection is just the right amount for your hair? It always depends on the length and thickness. So try and follow this simple guideline: less hair, less spray or cream. Conversely, more hair, more product. “With fine hair, I’d opt for about four sprays, two on the left and two on the right of your head. When using a hair oil or hair cream with SPF, I’d be more cautious because of getting greasy hair more quickly,” hair stylist Tibor Němec clarifies. 

What Else You Can Do for Your Hair This Summer

Since hair is not made of living cells like skin is, protecting your hair against the sun can be more difficult, so it is better to wear a cap, hat or scarf over it.

“You should also limit the use of all heat styling products. Just blow-dry your hair lightly at the scalp on the lowest possible temperature so that your scalp doesn’t get hot. After washing your hair with shampoo, don’t forget about conditioner and about once a week use a hydrating hair mask. Get a trim before the summer and at the end of the holidays. This prevents split ends and more damage to the hair,” concludes hair stylist Kateřina Hamplová.

Now do you know how to protect your hair from the sun? Investing in hair products with added SPF is so worth it. Plus they definitely cost you less than having to get your hair colour refreshed at the salon or have the overall damage repaired.