How to Take Care of Natural Hair in the Summer
Summer is upon us! For many, this means hours of outdoor time. From lazy days in the garden to brisk strolls through the park, it’s likely that you’ll be spending plenty of time soaking up the sun. But while there is certainly nothing wrong with a healthy dose of vitamin D, too much exposure to the heat can be harmful.
For example, it’s not uncommon for your hair and skin to feel dry, limp, and lifeless during the summer months. These symptoms are a result of the increased heat, humidity, and the sun’s dangerous UV rays.
The good news is that you do not have to shy away from the sun to look and feel great. Find out how to take care of natural hair in the summer.
Our Top 10 Tips on Nourishing Yourself and Your Hair in the Summer
1. Cover Up!
A wide-brimmed hat is a wonderful thing. Not only will it leave you looking suave and fashionable, but it’s one of the easiest ways to protect your hair and your face from penetrating UV rays. A hat can also help your scalp retain moisture, keeping your hair quenched and lively.
Hats (and scarves) are also the perfect accessories to use when it comes to protecting your loose tresses from the wind. They can stop your locks from tangling and knotting, thus reducing the chances of breakage.
So, start shopping for this year’s trendiest hats and scarves!
2. Loosen Up Your Protective Hairstyle
Tight hairstyles can damage your hair, especially when it starts to dry from the summer heat. So, why not loosen things up a little? A soft messy braid is a perfect way to keep your hair in control while minimising its exposure to the sun. It will also prevent your locks from tangling and knotting while you take a dip in the pool or ocean, and protect your scalp from sun burn.
3. SPF Is Your Friend
Protecting your skin from the sun is easy. There are so many great SPF products on the market that can help keep it moisturised and perfectly sun-kissed.
Ensuring that your hair is safeguarded from direct exposure to UV rays, well that’s a different story. While there are shampoo brands that boast UV protection, most of them are chemical-laden, conventional shampoos that could be just as harmful to your locks.
Your best bet, in this regard, is to invest in a salon-quality hair oil. Our Brillante Protect & Shine Oil is the perfect companion to keep with you in the summer. This oil utilises natural ingredients to put moisture back into your strands and works as a UV filter to protect your hair shaft. As an added bonus, it protects from chlorine and sea salt too, so you can take a worry free dip in the heat. It’s blissfully indulgent!
4. Use a Wide-Tooth Comb
If you enjoy a good swim, then your hair is likely to get wet in summer more than any other season. So, now may be a good time to invest in a wide-tooth comb.
Brushing hair when it’s wet leaves it more susceptible to breaking. However, a wide-tooth comb is very gentle when used to untangle hair it won’t tear and snag your strands like a regular brush would.
5. Wash your Hair Less Often
We suggest to only wash your hair every two or three days to help avoiding stripping your scalp of its natural oils. Removing the natural oils stimulates the scalp to produce more oil, which can leave your hair feeling dirty and sticky.
We suggest you alternate your hair wash with using a dry shampoo. This way, your natural oils can keep your hair cleansed without building up and making you feel greasy.
Try our cleansing Vivace Dry Shampoo Crème – the perfect aerosol-free alternative to traditional dry shampoos that can be harmful to you and the environment.
6. Spritz and Seal
Keep a spritzer on hand to spritz your skin and hair whenever you need a bit of added moisture. A mixture of water, aloe vera juice, and avocado oil is great for your skin. Follow up with the amazing Prodigio Regenerating Oil, for nourished, healthy hair.
7. Reduce the Heat
While a blow dry does look fabulous, try to stay away from the hairdryer as often as you can, and if you can’t, reduce the heat and always use a protective heat spray. The same goes for your flat iron. The heat from these styling tools can dry out your hair, making it brittle, fragile, and more susceptible to sun damage.
8. Condition – Always!
8. Condition – Always!If your hair is soft and healthy to start, then it’s less likely to be further damaged by the summer’s penetrating sun rays. This means frequent conditioning. But remember, conditioning is more than just keeping your hair moisturised. A good conditioner will help repair split ends and heat-damaged and over-processed hair so that it’s ultimately nourished. For this, you’ll want to try Rossano Ferretti’s award winning hair masks.
The same applies to your skin. Soft and supple skin will be less prone to damage from the sun, so be sure to apply a well-formulated skin conditioner or moisturiser regularly.
9. Improve Your Diet
Often the best way to nourish your entire body is from the inside out. This means that you may need to adapt your lifestyle to maintain a healthy diet that will do wonders for your skin, hair, and overall well-being.
Here’s a list of foods that are great for nourishing skin, hair, and even your nails:
- Protein-rich foods – such as white meat, nut, eggs, quinoa, beans, and Greek yogurt
- Healthy fats – such as nuts, avocados, coconut milk, full-fat dairy
- Fruits and vegetables – at least 5 portions a day!
Taking a daily multivitamin or supplement may also be a good idea.
10. Relax and Unwind
A relaxed body is generally a healthier one. Take time this summer to relax and unwind so that your body can heal from the stressors of life and nourish itself naturally. When you are stressed, your skin and hair can take a turn for the worse – so, do your best to enjoy your summer and take a well-deserved breather!
