Haircare After Summer: How to Repair, Restore & Refresh Hair
We’ve enjoyed the long, hot summer, but it’s clear that it’s taken a toll on our hair, and many people are now in need of solutions to fix the damage caused by the sun, chlorine and heat styling.
Summer pursuits are often unkind to hair, particularly if you like to spend time swimming and do not protect your hair from the sun. The best way to prevent this is to protect against aggressors in the environment at the time of exposure, but if you didn’t do this, it’s not too late! The good news is that there are many ways to treat your hair and work with your clients to repair the damage done by the sun and other factors.
At Hennessy Hair & Beauty, we can help you to find the best product options for you and your clients. We have masks, treatments and maintenance products that can replenish and repair the hair, and we’ll work with you to find the best options for your salon and your private clients.
Why is Summer Hard on Hair?
Summer is a tough time for hair because there are many environmental factors that add pressure during the warmer seasons. The combination of UV rays from the sun, extra humidity, sweat, salt water and chlorine can irritate the scalp and strip moisture from the hair. Conditions such as dandruff can also be more likely to occur at the hottest time of the year, often as a result of sweat, dust and the sunscreen residues that clog the hair follicles.
When we’re out in the sun a lot, the ultraviolet rays contribute to the breakdown of hair proteins such as keratin. When these are destroyed, the hair shaft is weakened and colour in the hair fades. Clients often notice a change in the texture of their hair in the summer, with it becoming more brittle and straw-like, and more prone to breakage. This is amplified by the effects of chlorine and salt water on the hair, drying out the strands and causing discolouration.
Preventing Summer Hair Damage
If you can take steps to protect your hair during the summer months, you’ll be able to prevent the worst of the damage and keep your hair looking great. Using a leave-in conditioner, especially one that is designed to combat damage caused by chlorine, will really help to avoid chlorine damage, which can be catastrophic to your colour treatments and the texture of your hair. There are also several great barrier products available, which can be applied to protect the hair while you are in the water.
It can help to wear a swimming cap when you are swimming in a pool or in the sea, as this can protect your hair against chemicals and save excess washing and drying. When you’re not in the water, a hat or headscarf can protect against UV rays and extreme heat. We also recommend using a conditioning mask on a regular basis, as this can help to restore lost moisture and replenish the hair shaft.
In the summer, you may find that you need to use heat styling tools less often, and this is good news for the hair as it gives it a chance to recover from this stress. You might try using different methods in the warmer months to give your hair a break, as it is also under pressure from the heat and humidity in the air.
Doing these things will help to keep your hair in good condition all year round, but if the extreme temperatures this summer took a toll anyway, you may be in need of solutions to combat the damage. Let’s dive into the options…
How to Repair, Restore and Refresh Damaged Hair
Many people despair as they notice the extent of the damage to their hair over the summer, and September often sees clients requesting a significant trim to get rid of the worst of the evidence. However, other options can help to nourish the hair and repair the damage, including:
• Rehydration. Most hair that has been damaged by the sun and other aggressors in the summer months will require both hydration and repair to bring it back to vibrancy. As we rehydrate the hair, we can bring back the softness and elasticity we have lost, although this will not reverse the damage done to the inner cuticle of the hair shaft. Moisturising deep conditioners and hydrating masks can help to lock in the moisture and smooth the hair cuticles. Wella Professionals Care Ultimate Repair Conditioner is a deeply nourishing conditioner for damaged hair and is suitable for all hair types, including medium, oily, fine, thick, straight, wavy, curly and coily. We love this weightless formula with AHA and Omega-3 that detangles and strengthens the hair, leaving it shiny and smooth.
• Repair. To repair the damage to the inner cuticle, we need to do more than simply hydrate the hair shaft. There are several effective products that can be used to rebuild broken protein bonds and correct the structural weakness that the summer onslaught has caused. If the hair feels brittle, stretchy or prone to breakage, you’ll need to consider the options and find the best reparative products to support recovery. Bond-building products such as the Olaplex Complete Repair Treatment, which can be used on damp hair to correct structural damage, can make a big difference to hair health in the longer term. Olaplex Total Repair Set 26 is highly recommended as a three-step routine for stronger, healthier hair, and it’s a great way to reset after the summer. The formula relies on Bond Building Technology from Olaplex that can deeply hydrate and nourish the hair on a molecular level.
• Exfoliation. The summer months often cause a buildup of debris in the hair and on the scalp, as sweat, oil and environmental residue affect the hair and the scalp. The buildup on the scalp can clog the hair follicles, and this can lead to hair that is dull and lifeless, or conditions such as dandruff. Using an exfoliating or clarifying shampoo once a week can help to get rid of this debris and make the scalp healthier, setting you up for shiny, smooth hair. Many stylists love Tahe K-Glicolic Shampoo, with keratin and mallow extract, which gently exfoliates the scalp as it cleanses to remove dead cells and environmental residue and prevent them from clogging the hair follicles.
• Masks. An intense hair mask is an excellent solution for hair that has been damaged by overexposure to the sun, sea or pool, and it’s especially useful if your hair is coloured or has been chemically straightened. A hair mask will usually include rich oils and butters that can nourish and replenish the hair, and these can be used on a weekly basis as you recover from the summer damage. The Color Wow Money Masque is a great choice for deep hydration, penetrating deep into the shaft of the hair to strengthen and renew. This is a weightless formula that is instantly absorbed into the hair, providing heat protection and leaving the hair supple and healthy.
• Leave-in moisture. A leave-in conditioner can be a game changer for hair that has had a rough time over the summer, and will work wonders on frizziness. If the hair is brittle or prone to breakage, you’ll find that a leave-in conditioner functions like an ongoing moisturiser for your hair, so that the hydration process can continue until your next wash. Olaplex No 5 Moisturise & Mend Leave-in Conditioner is designed to revitalise hair and minimise the look of split ends and broken strands. Instantly hydrating, the formula uses Olaplex Bond Building Technology and High-Adhesion Sealing Complex to protect the hair during heat styling and repair damaged, lacklustre hair.
Of course, it’s also a great idea to consider a trim after the summer, even if you don’t fancy a significant restyle. Autumn is the perfect time to lose the beach waves and opt for a chic, deliberate cut, but even a couple of inches off the end can get rid of dry and split ends for clients who just want a minor refresh.
At-Home Maintenance for Clients
Knowing your products inside out can help you to make the recommendations that work for your clients, and it is always helpful to be able to suggest shampoos, conditioners and masks that can be used at home to maintain healthy hair.
Whether you are a fan of luxurious lines like the Alfaparf shampoo and conditioner range, or you are committed to brands such as Wella and K18, it is good to understand how specific products behave on different hair types and in different environments. We are always happy to help you make the right choices for your clients, and exploring the options will help you to provide the expertise your clients need when they are investing in new products.
Hennessy Hair & Beauty: Supplying Salons in Ireland
At Hennessy Hair & Beauty, we have been supplying high-quality hair and beauty products to stylists and salons across Ireland for many years. We are committed to helping you find the best solutions for your clients and staff, and we stock tools and equipment as well as products you can rely on.