How to look after your hair in the sun — whether you wear a hijab or not
From scalp care to preventing UV damage and dryness, here are tips to address your hair care needs over the summer months
Much like they do for our skin, the summer months bring a different set of challenges for our hair compared with winter. Sun exposure can lead to UV damage and dryness, while increased humidity means more frizz, particularly for those of us with curly, colour-treated or already damaged hair. Higher temperatures also cause more sweat and oil buildup on the scalp, which can lead to issues such as dandruff, hair loss and breakage.
“Your hair faces sun, salt, chlorine and heat all summer long. Give your scalp the same care you give your skin,” says Hannah May, co-founder of Cornish Seaweed Bath Co, a sustainable and cruelty-free skin and hair care brand. “Sweat, sunscreen, styling products and excess oil all can create excess buildup during summer. Beautiful hair doesn’t just come from conditioning the ends — it starts at the roots.”
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The brand’s Super Nutrient shampoo and conditioner are made from natural ingredients, including extracts of organic seaweed, tuber fleeceflower root, angelica sinensis root, frankincense and mint leaf.
The hair care industry as a whole is becoming more aware of the importance of the scalp for overall hair health as part of the “skinification of hair” trend. Essentially, this just means that the skin on our scalps, which many of us neglect, is being given the same attention as the skin on the rest of our body.
As the foundation of our hair follicles, the scalp is the best place to treat myriad hair concerns — quite literally — at the root. Dove’s newly launched Scalp + Hair Therapy range has four collections designed to address specific hair care needs, from damage repair to thinning.
To keep your scalp clean, balanced and hydrated and to encourage healthy hair growth, start with a weekly or fortnightly scalp treatment as part of your hair wash routine to remove excess oil and product buildup. I use Amika’s Reset Pink Charcoal Scalp Cleansing Oil as a pre-wash treatment when I have the time, or its Reset Clarifying + Cleansing Gel Shampoo for my first wash, followed by the anti-frizz shampoo and conditioner when I’m in more of a rush. Both help to draw out impurities, are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, and are free from parabens, sulphates and phthalates, which can strip away your hair’s natural moisture.
While hijabis may not need to worry too much about the effects of sun damage, scalp care is especially important, as covered hair can be more prone to breakage, thinning and frizz due to reduced airflow and friction. To this end, look for hijabs that are made of breathable materials such as cotton, linen and silk, rather than polyester. Headbands and undercaps can also help to protect hair, but make sure they are also breathable and not too tight, as this can again limit circulation and damage the hair.
While it may be tempting to wash your hair and stick your hijab over it while it’s still wet, the moist conditions this creates are an ideal breeding ground for dandruff and fungus, so make sure hair is fully dry before covering it.
For everyone else, summer is a great time to take a break from heat styling, not least because even the thought of taking a pair of straighteners to my hair in the attic-room-come-sauna I am currently living in makes me break out in a sweat. Instead, try air-drying. First, towel-dry hair with a microfibre towel to help reduce frizz and breakage, then follow with a product suited to your hair type. JVN’s Complete Air Dry Cream is a great all-rounder for most hair types, Hersheson’s Air Dry Spray is ideal for straight, fine hair (and provides UV protection too), while Olaplex’s No. 6 Bond Smoother helps add moisture, control frizz and define curls.
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Moisture is key for stressed-out summer strands, so try hydrating with a weekly conditioning hair mask, such as Gisou’s Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hair Mask, or Olaplex’s pre-shampoo Bond No. 3 Complete Repair Treatment for already damaged hair.
Prevention is always better than cure, so if you find yourself on a beach holiday or spending extended periods of time in the sun, cover your hair with a bandana or wide-brimmed hat.
Alternatively, sustainable hair care brand Davines has updated its SU range, designed specifically to protect hair and skin before and after time in the sun. SU Hair Milk is a lightweight leave-on formula with UV protection, perfect for brushing through hair before a beach day.
Lastly, to reduce friction while sleeping, tie hair in a loose protective braid and swap your cotton pillowcase for a silk one like this from Slip — both your hair and skin will thank you for it all year round.
