I asked two hairdressers how to prevent dry hair in hot weather

“That sun is harsh, and you want to protect your hair as much as your skin.”

During summer, there’s a slight glow to my skin and a stash of drying swimwear that signals regular lunchtime beach breaks. My feet are enjoying their time in the sand, but the nest atop my head is painting a slightly different picture.

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We love summer but does our hair? To find out more about dealing with dry, sun-damaged hair, I spoke with two Melbourne-based experts, Donna Sheridan, the owner of her eponymous salon, and Mr.D, the owner of the curl-centric salon, Delilah.

What causes hair damage in summer?

During a typical summer, I revert to the most basic version of myself. Makeup doesn’t exist, and the only skincare warranted is a healthy dose of sunscreen and (maybe) an evening moisturise. Camping by the beach is where I thrive. There’s no need for a shower (that’s what the ocean is for, my dad believes) and my skin and hair are doused in saltiness. It’s no wonder I return to civilisation with ragged edges, copious split ends and a general state of frizz. 

As Mr.D tells me, in summer “we all want to get outdoors with our friends and enjoy the sunshine, and so we should! But with that comes UV rays which dry out our hair and strip it of hydration”. Donna notes it’s often tricky to cart around our “bathroom goodies” when we’re travelling from place to place and trying to keep the contents of our overnight bag streamlined. There’s no room for a cabinet of products as we navigate the pool, the beach or the tent. Donna tells me that the main hair-hurting culprits are, of course, “Sun exposure, chlorine, salty hair”.

How can I prepare my hair for the onslaught?

In preparation for summer, “Get a decent haircut in October or November, which should see you through to late January/February,” recommends Donna. Invest in a detox or clarifying shampoo, which will also help to remove chlorine, other pollutants, scalp debris and any build-ups. “A leave-in treatment is always lovely as well,” she says.

When it comes to maintaining the health of your hair, Donna and Mr.D are in agreeance: the most important form of protection is covering up. Wear a hat – in the water, too, if you can. “That sun is harsh, and you want to protect your hair as much as your skin,” says Donna. 

And what about dealing with the aftermath?

Protection is key, but recovery is just as vital. Although my long locks may be in trauma after a day by the sea (and in absolute turmoil after a week-long camping trip), I’m a sucker for beach hair. I can’t deny the appeal of those natural waves, salt-rimmed tips and variegated colouring.

Mr.D understands my dilemma. “Beach hair is terrific!” he says. “It’s one of the most sought-after styles that people want to replicate after a holiday… Curly hair loves the beach.” 

So how can we restore our damaged hair to health? Firstly, rinse your hair after the beach or pool, says Donna. Cleanse every few nights and use your leave-in treatment, then plait the ends (if you can) to keep those locks controlled and dread-free. Due to the drying effect of excess salt, Mr.D recommends giving your hair and scalp a massage with conditioner to replenish the moisture.  

For those with coloured hair, you’ll need a little extra boost. “You’ll definitely say bye-bye to those artificial gorgeous red and copper tones,” says Mr.D, “but [it’s] nothing a good colour-infused shampoo and/or conditioner won’t fix!”. 

And, on Donna’s advice, book a late summer freshen-up ASAP. Ask for a touch-up on your roots and glossed ends if you’re brunette or copper-hued, and a take-home colour conditioner will help to keep the colour vibrant. “Balayage babes, if your hair has gone too light over summer, a gloss and root stretch might be a good idea, or for the people who love a blonder, brighter balayage, perhaps a face frame and tip out (to brighten the ends),” she adds. 

When I set out on this journey, I worried that my sun-soaked days would be critiqued or require a revolving door of haircare products to remedy. Mr.D and Donna keep it simple (this approach drew me to them in the first place). With the right strategies in place for pre- and post-summer adventures, those dry ends will be healthy and fresh. For the sake of my precious hair, I’m holding these final words from Mr.D to heart:

“Spend money on a good shampoo/conditioner set, and your hair will be gold. Go out and enjoy the sun and sea, be a little careful and considered, but don’t ruin your holiday and the summer months with worry! We have terrific treatments these days that can mitigate any damage the summer months do to your hair, so have fun and slip, slop, slap.”

For advice on how to improve the health of your hair, head here.