Summer sun rays, chlorine & salt water can make natural hair look dull, feel like straw and can fade your new coppery color. Just as you want to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UVA & UVB rays, you should exercise the same level of care when protecting your hair. Summertime sun protection doesn’t just mean taking care of your hair when you are on the beach or sipping cocktails poolside. You should be just as conscious of the sun’s damaging rays whether you are walking the dog or manicuring your lawn.
Sure. You’ve worked hard all winter shielding your hair from the elements with protective styles, caps, scarves and what have you. You’ve religiously worn buns, make sure your ends were tucked in, and you probably even tried every “natural looking” wig you saw your favorite vlogger review on YouTube. If you are planning any sort of daytime outdoor activities this summer, just make sure you exercise a similar level of care to make this winter’s work worth while.
Protect you hair & skin this summer with these tips:
1. Cover your hair! It’s your best line of defense in protecting your hair: get a good hat (wide-brimmed) if possible, or get creative with scarves that hide your hair from the sun. Channel your inner June Ambrose!
2. Braid hair or wear a ponytail when swimming. It will protect some of your hair from chlorine or salt water effects
3. Rinse hair immediately after swimming in chlorinated water and use a conditioner with a low pH value (about 3.5) to smooth the cuticle and lock colour particles in.
4. Use a quality conditioner with moisturizing ingredients to deep condition your hair on a weekly basis during the summer. Look for ingredients such as wheat germ, jojoba oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, silk amino acids, etc. You can even try mixing a few oils together. These oils applied to the ends of your strands will work great on frizzy hair.
5. Avoid products that contain synthetic oils such as mineral and/or petrolatum oil, as they further dehydrate your hair. Also avoid products that contain drying alcohol, such as hair spray, mousse and some gels.
6. Your hair needs to be treated more gently during the summer. Use a specific mask to make it soft and rinse with fresh water to seal the hair cuticle and impart natural shimmer. Allow your hair to dry naturally do not use hot styling tools (blow dryers, hot irons, rollers).
7. Pay special attention to the ends of your hair; after all, they are the oldest part of the hair. Mix a bit of a conditioner with a natural oil, apply, and comb through ends; leave in for extra protection.
8. Wear a PVC-free swim cap that thoroughly protects the hair when possible.
9. Opt for styles that keep your ends protected, such as braids, two-strand twists, cornrows, flat twists and buns. You can use extensions, if you like, but if your hair is long enough, you can use your own hair
10. Once the sun goes down, let it all hang out! You have worked hard to protect your hair & now you get to show it off. Release your natural curls & all of their glory! Show the world what you are working with!
How do you protect your hair in the summer? Please share your tips!
The Natural Socialite 
Great tips! You mentioned a mask for treatment. I bought Shea Moisture’s mask treatment with argan oil during a 2 for 1 sale at Walgreen’s. Can’t wait to try it. Their curl creme is awesome and smells so good.
Thanks Alisha! I am still tramautized that I completely missed out on the BOGO sale! Please share with me how you like it. I think I may go ahead and purchase a few items because I’m hearing nothing but good things abotu Shea Moisture.