image credit: getty, Andry5

The summer months are full of sun and poolside parties, but they can be hell on your hair. Between the heat, increased sun exposure, and chlorine, your hair may become dry and brittle. What can you do to protect your luscious locks while enjoying the warmer weather? Here are 12 ways to keep hair hydrated even at the height of summer.

1. Use Lighter Styling Products

Styling products can create buildup, especially during hot days when your scalp is naturally sweating. This can make hair greasy, which may prompt you to wash more.

Instead of using heavy styling products such as gel, you can switch to lighter options for the summer. Additionally, you can try using dry shampoo in between washes to manage oil

2. Protect Your Hair From UV Rays

You’re likely aware of the damage UV radiation can do to your skin, but did you know it can also harm your hair? To keep your locks in the best shape, try wearing a hat or scarf made of UV-shielding materials or apply products with UV protection.

3. Use Heat Protection Products

Heated styling tools such as straighteners and curling irons can significantly dry out hair. To prevent this, you should use a heat protection spray. This creates a seal around strands that keeps in moisture while allowing you to style as usual.

4. Moisturize Often

Even if you use conditioner when you shower, your hair may get dry throughout the day, especially if you spend a lot of time outside. To combat this, you can try leave-in conditioner for long-lasting hydration. You can also carry a travel-sized bottle of moisturizing spray in your purse or beach bag if you want a lighter alternative.

5. Add Keratin Shampoo to Your Regimen

When you’re looking for a moisture shampoo, keratin products are a great choice. These specially formulated cleansers removed buildup without excessive drying and can actually make strands stronger. If your hair is damaged or brittle, keratin shampoo can rehabilitate it.

6. Check the Ingredients

Certain ingredients can be drying, so carefully check the ingredients in your hair care and styling products. You should avoid the following:

• Sulfates
• Parabens
• Sodium chloride 

Instead, look for moisturizing elements:

• Shea butter
• Water
• Aloe vera
• Glycerin

7. Seal in Moisture With Oils

Once you’ve moisturized, you want to seal in the hydration. Oils are the perfect product for this.

Jojoba oil is a favorite since it’s chemically similar to the oil our bodies naturally create. If you need something a little more heavy-duty, Jamaican black castor oil has you covered. Add argan and macadamia oil (found in several of our products)

8. Protect Against Chlorine

Chlorine and salt can wreak havoc on hair, but if you want to spend any time in the water, they’re unavoidable. Fortunately, you can protect your hair by applying a leave-in conditioner before you take a dip then a quick rinse after you get out of the water. When you head inside, make sure to wash with keratin or moisturizing shampoo to get rid of chemicals and re-hydrate.

9. Choose Low-Damage Hair Color

Coloring your hair is a fun way to express your personality, but it can leave strands brittle, dry, and prone to damage. During the summer months, look for low-ammonia dyes that won’t strip hair of natural moisture. Some options even have keratin in the formula to nourish as you color. You can also try some of the temporary color alternatives that have recently hit the shelves, such as colored wax or conditioner.

10. Try Night Treatments

Did you know you can hydrate while you sleep? Before you go to bed, apply a light moisturizing spritz or oil to the ends of your hair. When you wake up, you should have noticeably softer, more supple locks.

11. Deep Condition

Even if you use conditioner every time you wash, sometimes you need something more powerful that penetrates to the core of dry strands. You should use a deep conditioning treatment or hair mask once a week to help your hair recover from damaging summer elements.

12. Stay Hydrated

This may sound strange, but hear us out. The human body is literally made of water and when it’s hot outside, you need to drink more than usual. By replenishing the water your body loses in sweat, you’re making sure it has the materials it needs to create the natural oils that protect hair.

Want Nourished and Hydrated Hair? Keratherapy is Your Answer

Are you looking for a solution to dry hair? Keratherapy can help. Our products are designed to nourish and hydrate so you look and feel great all summer long. Check out our collections of products and shop online today!

Image Credit: shutterstock/patronestaff