Here’s Exactly How to Summer-Proof Your Hair

Ah, summer: It’s good for the soul, not so much for your hair. So many of the seasonal things we love—sunny days, beach trips, dips in the pool—can take a toll on your texture, color, and scalp health.

Sure, you can always do damage control post-Labor Day, but there are a few smart strategies you can implement now to get ahead of scorched strands. We tapped a dermatologist, stylist, and colorist for the best ways to protect your scalp, keep your hair hydrated, and preserve your color all summer long. 

1Protect Your Scalp

We can’t talk about sun damage without addressing the proverbial elephant in the room: skin cancer. Your scalp is just as susceptible to sunburn and damage as the skin elsewhere on your face and body—if not more so. “The thing about the scalp is that, unless you’re wearing a hat, it’s really exposed to sun year-round,” points out Elizabeth K. Hale, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and Senior Vice President of The Skin Cancer Foundation. As such, it’s very prone to squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer caused primarily by chronic sun exposure, she adds. (This usually presents as thick, scaly patches; if you suspect or see any strange changes on your scalp, see your derm ASAP.) 

Sun-related risks aside, heat and sweat can also lead to increased scalp inflammation and irritation in the summer months, adds Los Angeles-based colorist Kadi Lee, co-founder of Highbrow Hippie (and Gwyneth's own colorist). 

The Fixes

Get yourself a cute hat and make it a mainstay of your summer wardrobe. According to Hale, this type of physical protection is the best way to shield your scalp. A tightly-woven, broad-rimmed option is ideal (since it’ll also help cover your face and the back of your neck), but any hat is better than no hat, she says. And make sure to wear it while swimming; when your hair is wet, more of your scalp is exposed to the sun.

As far as sunscreens go, Hale says brush-on powders are the most cosmetically elegant option for the scalp. (Read: They don’t feel wet or greasy.) Just make sure you’re really getting it onto the scalp and not just haphazardly dusting it into your hair, she cautions. A stick formula is another smart choice to swipe onto targeted spots like the part and hairline, she offers. It may feel a bit sticky or tacky, but for beach or pool days—when you’re probably going to wash your hair afterward anyway—these are a great pick.

It's also smart to incorporate a scalp serum into the mix. Look for one with antioxidants, like Lee's own Highbrow Hippie serum, which can help neutralize the damaging effects of environmental stressors (hello, UV rays), while soothing any irritation. 

2Maintain Your Hair Health

Dryness is hair’s arch nemesis during the summer. UV exposure breaks down keratin (a protein in the hair), weakening the bonds that keep it strong and elastic—essentially “cooking” the hair over time and leaving it drier and more brittle, explains Christine Bellemare, a Boston-based stylist and founder of Maven A Collect.

Meanwhile, saltwater and chlorine open the hair cuticle, stripping it of its natural oils. Strands not only feel rough, but they’re also more porous and susceptible to other damage, Bellemare says. At the same time, increased humidity can lead to major frizz, she adds. 

The Fixes

Hydration, hydration, hydration–and more hydration. Swap your standard stylers for moisturizing treatments. If you have thicker hair, Bellemare suggests applying a mask to damp hair in the morning and pulling it into a slicked-back bun or braids. Finer textures can do the same, swapping the mask for a more lightweight leave-in conditioner. This not only ensures your hair gets plenty of hydration and tames errant frizzies, but it’s also a good way to create a simple style without relying on your blow-dryer, curling iron, or straightener. “Skipping excessive hot tool use during the summer helps preserve hydration and overall hair health,” she points out.

If you’re hitting the beach or pool, you’ll absolutely want to wash your hair after; otherwise, going a bit longer between shampoos can also help keep dryness at bay, says Bellemare. Use a dry shampoo instead, spritzing it on both in the morning and at night to zap oil and sweat from the jump, she adds.

3Preserve Your Color 

No matter your hue, everyone is prone to color changes in the summer. UV rays break down pigment in your hair, both natural and from dye: “Sun exposure slowly degrades the color—it begins to look brassier, lighter, or just more dull-looking week after week,” Lee explains. Saltwater is also problematic, altering the hair’s pH and drawing moisture out of the strand, both of which leave the cuticle open and allow color molecules to slip out, she says. Adding insult to injury, once that happens, chlorine can more easily get into the hair and compound the color issues—“blondes start to look overly bleached, brunette tones turn brassy, and redheads get super faded,” Lee says. 

The Fixes

Get ahead of these issues by working with your colorist to develop a pre-summer color plan. For example, brunettes may want to go a bit richer and avoid unnecessary highlights, knowing that some inevitable lightning will happen, Lee explains. The same goes for redheads, who should embrace a naturally sun-kissed effect and aim for subtle tones rather than super vibrant ones. And for blondes, swap your standard single-process or highlights (since your hair will naturally get lighter anyway) for a monthly toner, she suggests. It can work wonders in maintaining your desired shade while helping preserve richness and dimension, Bellemare offers.

Many of the solutions we’ve already covered also apply here. That hat that’s protecting your scalp? Yep, it’s safeguarding your shade, too. "Wearing a hat or a headscarf whenever possible is your first and best line of defense against color changes,” says Lee. She’s also a fan of moisturizing masks, particularly as a way to create a barrier on your hair before swimming. Your hair is like a sponge; if you go into the pool or ocean with dry hair, it immediately soaks up all that water, and chlorine and salt cause dryness and strip your color, she explains. Quickly applying a mask or leave-in conditioner pre-dip ensures your strands soak up all that good stuff first while blocking out damaging elements. (If you don’t have any product on-hand, fully saturating your hair with fresh water will also help, she says.)

For blondes who may start to notice a chlorine-induced green tint, Lee recommends an exfoliating shampoo. “Use it twice in a row, letting it sit on the hair for a few minutes so the salt can soak up all the discoloring minerals,” she advises. Finish your shower routine by swapping out your regular conditioner for a moisturizing mask.