5 Natural Tips For Healthy Summer Locks

written by Paulina Nelega

Summertime sun is fun, but its sizzle can also stress our tresses, causing dry, damaged hair that’s brittle and more prone to breakage. Summer is the time for some serious tress protection. Hot temperatures mean it is easier to experience dehydration (often without knowing it) including of the scalp and hair. In addition, the damaging effects of the sun’s UV rays upon our scalp, hair follicles, and hair shaft are often overlooked. Add in salt from ocean swimming, chlorine from dips in the pool, and frizz from high humidity, and it’s easy to see why summer sun can be hard on our hair. Here are a few tips to help you keep your locks looking luscious all summer long.

1. Soften your water. Use a water filter/softener in your shower - it may become one of your best investments, especially if you wash your hair a lot. Chlorine and hard minerals can build up on your hair, leaving it dull, lackluster and more vulnerable to damage. Chlorine can even affect some styling processes, such as coloring or highlights.

2. Cut back on shampooing. It’s OK to rinse your hair everyday, if you need to, but daily shampoos can dry out hair. By cutting back on shampoo washes, this allows your scalp’s sebum (oil) production to rebalance itself. Scalp oil is naturally moisturizing and protective, including against summer UV rays; washing it away everyday is ultimately drying and causes the scalp to compensate by producing more. As well, many shampoos don’t leave your scalp pH balanced; over time, this can cause damage to the hair follicles, leading to weaker hair. Shampooing your hair less often also extends the life of any coloring or highlighting you have done.

3. Massage scalp before you shower. Giving your scalp a brisk, 30-second massage before you step into the shower helps exfoliate old cells and move waste byproducts out to the surface for removal. It also invigorates your scalp with fresh, nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood to repair and nourish your hair follicles.

4. Use exotic hot oil treatment weekly. Deep-moisturize your scalp and hair and transport yourself afar, with pure Moroccan argan oil, tropical organic coconut oil, or African shea butter--just massage 1-2 tablespoons (more or less, depending upon how much hair you have) over your entire scalp and distribute evenly from roots to ends. Try adding a few drops of jasmine, neroli, or rose essential oil to indulge your senses, or rosemary (verbenone ct, only), helichrysum, lavender, or German chamomile to rejuvenate your scalp. Wrap your hair with a towel and leave on for at least 30 minutes before shampooing out. For deeper moisturizing, leave on overnight (just put an old linen down on your pillowcase to protect it from the oils). 

5. Cover it up. Stylish headwraps, scarves, and hats keep you looking hot, staying cool, and tresses protected.

Paulina Nelega is a registered clinical herbalist for Hair Essentials and has been assisting individuals facing hair loss for almost two decades. Hair Essentials is a breakthrough proprietary blend of more than 20 herbs, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids and other nutrients. Hair Essentials can only be purchased online or by calling 800-536-9353.