How To Fix Dry Hair In The Summer

The summer heat and sun can be your best friend or your worst enemy, especially when it comes to your hair. Not only can your locks become dry and irritated from heat and debris from sun-filled activities, your scalp can suffer too. So, how do you fix dry hair in the summer to ensure your locks are as shiny and silky as possible? I spoke with an expert to find out.

"Heat from the sun can stimulate oil production in the scalp and, depending on the length of time spent in the sun, can create sunburn," Julien Farel, junior stylist Amanda Troisi, tells me. "The sun’s heat can cause excess build up of sebum oils, which in turn creates an unbalanced reproduction of oil in the scalp.

If your hair is dyed or colored, you have to take even more precautions as you may not realize the damage that is being done to your color from the sun. "The sun is extremely powerful and with its heat and UV light exposure the hair shaft will expand causing the pigment of hair to disperse creating the lightness of color to the hair," Troisi says. "This is actually stripping the color of the hair shaft and creating breakage and dryness to the hair."

When it comes to the summer, you also have to think about the effect that chlorine has on your hair. Trios states that wetting your hair with regular tap water is a great way to keep your hair healthy before swimming. "Regular water fills the hair so it is harder for the chlorine to deposit into the hair shaft," she says.

To make sure your hair gets the treatment it deserves this summer, try out my summer favorites for your hair:

1. Julien Farel Smooth Creme

Smooth Creme, $25, Dermstore

Troisi suggests using this light styling cream to help your hair battle the summer UV rays and keep it looking smooth and nourished.

2. Bumble and Bumble Surf Infusion

Bumble and Bumble Surf Infusion, $29, Sephora

If you want beachy waves, use this texturing spray that will leave your hair smelling fresh and clean with a scent of coconut, passion fruit, and mango.

3. Living Proof No Frizz Humidity Shield

Living Proof No Frizz Humidity Shield, $22, Sephora

Tame and diminish hair frizz with this spray that is packed with the Living Proof patented molecule, OFPMA, which forms a shield around the hair strands to prevent frizz caused by humidity.

4. Proganix Anti-Fade Weightless Argan Oil + UV Protection

Proganix Anti-Fade Weightless Argan-Oil + UV Protection, $7, Amazon

Don't worry about the sun's UV light fading your perfect hair color. This argan oil uses a cherry-blossom extract to help prevent color fading while also leaving your hair looking glossy.

5. Julien Farel Hydrate Restore

Julien Farel Hydrate Restore, $39, Dermstore

After a few hours in the pool, Troisi suggests washing your hair with this protein hair treatment. "Not only is Restore a cleansing and moisturizing, treatment containing plant stem cell extracts and hyaluronic acid, it can also help balance your hair's PH," she says.

Images: Hillary Fox/Stocksy; Courtesy of Brands (5)