How to Protect Your Hair in Hot Weather

During the hot summer, you might experience frizzy, brittle, and dry hair. The UV rays from the sun can cause split ends, color fading, and elasticity loss. (1) Thus, you need to protect your hair from humidity and heat to keep it beautiful and healthy.

Some ways to protect your hair this season are applying products that provide UV protection, (2) wearing a scarf or a hat for sun protection, (3) avoiding heat styling tools, (4) using humidity-proof products, changing your hair wash routine to avoid dryness, conditioning regularly, (5) protecting your hair from chlorinated water, (6) and giving your hair trims at regular intervals.

You can also apply olive oil, coconut oil, or argan oil to nourish and moisturize your hair.

Following these measures can help keep your hair protected and healthy in hot weather. Read further to learn how to protect your hair in summer.

Ways to Protect Hair in Hot Weather

You can protect your hair in the hot weather in the following ways.

1. Apply sunscreen to your hair

Hair care products containing sunscreen such as shampoo and leave-in conditioner slow down the weathering process and shield the hair from UV damage. (7) Moreover, leave-in conditioners with sunscreen provide moisture to the hair fiber and enhance the hair’s manageability. (2)

Apply sunscreen before stepping out in the sun and reapply every few hours if you swim or sweat. 

2. Wear a hat or scarf

A piece of clothing such as a scarf, hat, cap, or umbrella is another way to shield your hair from sun damage. (3) It prevents overheating and keeps your scalp cool by blocking the sun.

Choose a polyester material for your hat or scarf, as it absorbs UV rays. According to researchers, colored fabrics and tightly woven thicker fibers are better at giving ultraviolet protection. (3)

3. Avoid heat styling

Using curling irons or blow-dryers can cause damage to your hair. (4) This damage could be double in hot weather. Your hair’s natural moisture and oil can be stripped, making it brittle and dry.

To prevent this, air-dry your hair as much as possible. According to researchers, drying your hair without a hair dryer gives you well-protected hair, whereas blow-dried hair acquires more damage on the hair surface. (8)

When you do need to use a dryer, choose a low-heat setting. Additionally, always use products suitable for your waves and curls to embrace the natural texture instead of trying to smooth them out.

4. Use a humidity-proof product

Humidity is responsible for unmanageable and frizzy hair (especially wavy or curly hair). Get humidity-proof hair care products such as an anti-frizz cream or serum to eliminate such issues, as they seal your cuticles and stop moisture from escaping or entering.

Apply the humidity-proof product to your dry or damp hair carefully, following the instructions on the product label for best results. 

5. Wash your hair less often

Your hair’s natural oils may be stripped with constant washing. (5) Sebum is a natural oil that gives your hair a glossy coating, keeping it healthy and moisturized (9) while making it less vulnerable to sun damage. Frequent shampooing can also cause dry hair.

Clean hair is good, but people overdo it by hair washing once, sometimes twice, daily. It strips away the natural oil of the hair.

Therefore, avoid frequent hair washes in hot summer; do it only once to thrice a week. You can also opt for dry shampoo between washes, as they clean your hair mildly and provide good conditioning. (10)

It is also recommended to use just water or a mild, sulfate-free, pH-balanced shampoo to wash your hair to prevent hair breakage and fallout. (10)

6. Condition your hair regularly

Conditioning is an essential part of a hair care routine as it nourishes and hydrates the hair in the hot summer.

You can deep-condition once a week or use regular conditioning after shampooing. You can also apply a hair oil or leave-in conditioner to add shine to your hair and seal the moisture. (5)(11) 

Additionally, go for products that contain natural ingredients such as aloe vera gel, curry leaves, mint oil, fenugreek, glycerine, rose water, hibiscus flower, and almond oil. (12)

7. Protect your hair from chlorine

Protect your hair from drying out and color alterations while swimming in a chlorinated pool. Researchers noted that people swimming in the pool often complain about hair damage. Chlorinated water has a strong oxidizing power that contributes to hair loss. (13)

You can avoid this issue by putting on a swimming cap or tying your hair up in a high bun to prevent it from soaking in water. Also, wet your hair with fresh water before entering the pool to prevent hair damage by absorbing chlorine.

After swimming, wash your hair thoroughly with fresh water and a mild, clarifying shampoo to discard any chlorine residue. (6)(14)  

8. Trim your hair regularly

Get your hair trimmed regularly to remove split ends or any hair damage caused by the sun, and your hair will appear more manageable and healthier.

Get your hair trimmed every 6–8 weeks, depending on the damage to your hair and the speed of your hair growth.

All-Natural Home Remedies for Repairing Hot Weather-Damaged Hair

The following all-natural home remedies can help repair damaged hair due to the hot weather.

Try an oil soak

You can use carrot seed oil, jojoba oil, and soya bean oil that shields your hair from UV rays. (15)

How to use:

1. Give your hair a massage for 15–20 minutes with any oil you choose.
2. Wrap your hair with a towel or a cotton cloth dipped in hot water.
3. Let it sit for 15–30 minutes. 
4. Wash it off with a mild shampoo and apply conditioner after.

Heated oil penetrates the hair deeply because the steam opens the hair cuticles and nourishes your hair.  

Use aloe vera

The proteins in your hair are made from an amino acid called tryptophan. According to a study, hair samples exposed to the sun after aloe vera gel treatment suffered less damage, meaning less tryptophan loss.

Thus, aloe vera acts as a great shielding agent from UV damage. (16) 

How to use:

1. Mix 1–2 tbsp of aloe vera gel in 1 cup of filtered water. 
2. You can also add 6–8 drops of almond oil or olive oil to the mixture to protect your hair. 
3. Transfer the mixture to a spray bottle.
4. Spray the mixture on your hair.

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Final Word

Taking extra care of your hair in the hot summer is crucial for the maintenance of hair health.

Always wear protective gear, such as a scarf, hat, or sunscreen, to avoid hair dryness and dehydration when stepping out in the sun. Also, learn to balance between washing and conditioning.

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