Keep your hair happy and healthy all summer long with these natural and chemical-free methods. Natural hair is great in summer! Now it’s time to let go of perfect, sleek hair and embrace the loose, natural look. Learn how to protect your hair from heat, sun and humidity without it becoming an endless battle.
1.
Wear a scarf or hat to cover your head when you’re out in the sun. This not only provides additional UV protection, but also helps the scalp retain moisture. A hat reduces damage caused by wind, especially if your hair gets tangled easily, and protects color-treated hair.
2. Put your hair up in loose, comfortable hairstyles
A rough braid is ideal for keeping hair in place and reducing exposure to the sun. Tight hairstyles can damage your hair because they pull and tear, especially if your hair is dry due to the summer heat.
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3. Wash less often
Frequent washing removes the natural oils from the scalp, which stimulates more oil production and makes you feel the need to wash it even more often. Try just rinsing your hair in the shower after a day at the beach or in the pool, and see if that removes some of the extra oil. Use a homemade or naturally dry shampoo, such as cornstarch, instead of regular shampoo to last longer between washes. Another quick fix is to dip a cotton square in witch hazel and lightly stroke it over the scalp to remove excess oil.
4. Reduce the heat
Try to use a hair dryer as little as possible. Your hair is already exposed to a lot of heat in the summer, and it’s likely to dry quickly on its own, so give your hair dryer a break and leave your hair natural if you can. Also, avoid straighteners, as they can do even more damage to already dry hair. Moreover, a smooth hairstyle only accentuates the curls even more.
5. Spray and seal
Make a mixture of water, aloe vera juice and avocado oil. Keep it handy to spray whenever you need a little extra moisture and/or control. Another good solution is argan oil mixed with water.
6. Always use conditioner
Rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar diluted in water as a quick, natural conditioner. Use coconut oil or shea butter (be careful with this, as it can be heavy) to smooth, reduce frizz, and moisturize your hair after washing. The oil adds shine, and if you have wavy hair, it can create natural, air-dried curls. Try a natural deep moisturizing treatment once a week to give your hair extra moisture.
7. No more “whiskers”
If you’re a blonde and your hair turns green after a bath in the pool, try rinsing your wet hair with 1/4 cup of vinegar (apple cider vinegar) and 2 cups of water to remove discoloration and dullness. It also helps to wash your hair with water before going into the pool, as it then does not absorb as much chlorine.
8. Add some sunscreen
There are shampoos with UV protection, but most of these are conventional shampoos full of chemicals that I would recommend avoiding. A quick way to provide a little extra protection is to lightly stroke your hair with your hands after applying sunscreen to your body.
9. Try a hot oil treatment
Coconut oil, olive oil and avocado oil penetrate the hair strands well. Wash your hair as usual, then guide the oil in from the ends to the root. Rinse off and apply conditioner as usual. Your hair should feel damp afterwards, but not greasy.
10. Pretend you’ve been to the beach
A blogger recommends this homemade sea salt spray: 1 teaspoon sea salt and 1 teaspoon coconut oil mixed with water in a small spray bottle. Spray and break your hair for that coveted wavy beach look. The coconut oil counteracts the dryness from the salt.
11. Use a comb with a wide spacing between your teeth instead of a brush
Avoid dragging anything through your hair when it’s wet, as it’s most vulnerable to breakage. Combs with wide spacing between the teeth are mildest for detangling, while brushes can pull and tear the hairs when they get stuck.
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