6 summer hair care tips

WITH the harsh Zululand summer sun beating down, keep your hair happy and healthy all summer long using these natural, chemical-free methods.

Cover up

Use a scarf or hat to cover your head when you’re out in the sun.

Not only does this provide extra UV protection, but it also helps your scalp to retain moisture. A hat reduces damage caused by wind, especially if your hair is prone to tangling, and protects colour-treated hair.

Put your hair up in loose, comfortable styles

A messy braid is ideal for keeping your hair under control and minimising exposure to the sun.

Tight hairstyles can be damaging because they tend to pull and tear hair, especially if your hair is dry from the summer heat.

Wash less often

Frequent washing strips your scalp of its natural oils, which in turn stimulates additional oil production and makes you feel the need to wash it even more.

Try just rinsing in the shower after a day at the beach or pool, and see if that gets rid of some extra oil.

Use a homemade or natural dry shampoo, such as cornstarch, in place of regular shampoo to go a bit longer without washing.

Reduce the heat

Blow-dry your hair as little as possible. It is already exposed to a significant amount of heat on a daily basis in the summer, and it will probably air-dry quickly anyway, so give the blow dryer a break and go au naturel if you can.

Avoid flat irons too as they will do further damage to already dry hair. Plus, a sleek hairstyle only makes that frizz stand out more.

No more swimmer’s hair

If you’re a blond who turns green after a dip in the pool, try rinsing out your wet hair with 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and two cups water to get rid of discolouration and dullness. It helps to get your hair wet before entering the water because then it won’t absorb as much chlorine.

Add some sunscreen

There are shampoos that contain UV protection, but one quick way to add some protection is to run your hands lightly through your hair after applying sunscreen to your body.

Use a wide-tooth comb instead of a brush

Avoid pulling anything through your hair when it’s wet, since that’s when it’s most susceptible to breaking. Wide-tooth combs are most gentle for untangling hair, as brushes can pull and tear when they snag strands.