9 Summer Hair Care Tips That Actually Make a Difference

Table of contents

• Wash Your Hair Right

• Keep Hair Hydrated and Moisturized

• Rinse Hair After Swimming

• Tame Frizz and Flyaways

• Protect Hair from the Sun

• Choose Summer-Friendly Hairstyles

• Minimize Heat Styling Tools

• Trim Regularly to Prevent Split Ends

• Switch to a Gentle Nighttime Hair Routine

• FAQs

• References

Summer arrives like a burst of golden energy - warm days, ocean breezes, and spontaneous getaways. While we welcome the season of sun-soaked adventures, our hair is often neglected. Increased sun exposure, humidity, saltwater, and chlorinated pools combine to make summer one of the most challenging seasons for maintaining healthy, manageable hair.

Hairstylist Kevin Mancuso explains, “In winter, hair can get dry thanks to the absence of moisture in the air, like from forced air. But in the summer, you’re exposed to more sources of damage that can harm the structure of your hair and the amount of moisture it can hold.”

If you’ve ever noticed your strands feeling frizzier, drier, or more prone to breakage in the hotter months, you’re not alone. Here are ten expert-approved 2025’s summer hair care tips to help you beat the heat while embracing the season in full style.

Wash Your Hair Right

During summer, it’s tempting to wash your hair daily, especially after sweating or spending time outdoors. However, over-washing can strip your scalp of its natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and frizz. A better approach is to wash your hair less frequently but with more intentional care.

Choose mild, sulfate-free cleansers that preserve your scalp’s natural barrier and prevent overdrying. Focus on the scalp during cleansing, and allow the lather to gently rinse through the lengths. Consider incorporating a double-cleansing routine if you’ve used heavy styling products or spent time in chlorinated water.

Pro Tip: If you exercise or sweat often, rinse your hair with water in between washes and follow up with a light conditioner on the ends to refresh without stripping moisture.

Keep Hair Hydrated and Moisturized

Just as your skin needs hydration in hot weather, your hair craves it too. Exposure to UV rays, sea salt, and dry air draws moisture from the hair shaft, leading to brittleness and dullness. That’s why deep hydration is essential for effective hair care during summer.

Incorporate weekly deep conditioning treatments into your routine. Look for ingredients like panthenol, amino acids, and botanical oils that help replenish lost moisture. Hydration helps maintain elasticity, prevent breakage, and enhance overall shine. Leave-in conditioners can also be a daily go-to, especially after time outdoors. They create a protective barrier and lock in moisture for longer-lasting softness.

Rinse Hair After Swimming

When you are taking a dip in the ocean, your strands are absorbing more than just fun. Salt and chlorine can be incredibly drying, especially for color-treated or processed hair. These substances strip the cuticle and may even leave behind mineral deposits that alter your hair’s texture or hue.

The best way to protect your tresses from this kind of exposure is to rinse thoroughly with fresh water immediately after swimming. This helps remove salt, chlorine, and other chemicals before they penetrate deeper into the strand. For extra protection, wet your hair with clean water and apply a lightweight conditioner before entering the water. This pre-saturates the hair, making it less porous and reducing absorption of harmful substances.

Tame Frizz and Flyaways

Frizz is often a direct result of the high humidity that accompanies summer. When hair lacks internal moisture, it absorbs water from the environment, causing the cuticle to lift - and that’s when the puffiness sets in.

A leave-in conditioner is your first line of defense. It helps smooth the cuticle, retain internal hydration, and offer a lightweight shield against environmental stress. Some leave-ins also contain UV filters and antioxidants to further protect your strands during prolonged sun exposure. For best results, apply leave-in conditioner to damp, towel-dried hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. Avoid the roots to maintain volume and freshness throughout the day.

Protect Hair from the Sun

You wouldn't leave your skin unprotected under direct sunlight, so why treat your hair any differently? Hairstylist Earl Simms says, “The sun gives off harmful rays that dry the hair, particularly hair that is chemically treated.”

Prolonged sun exposure breaks down proteins in the hair shaft, leading to weakened structure, color fading, and loss of luster. One of the simplest forms of summer hair care is sun protection. Physical barriers work wonders: wide-brimmed hats, scarves, and UV-blocking hair wraps offer both style and defense.

Pro Tip: If you're going bare-headed, consider minimizing direct exposure during peak sunlight hours and stick to shaded areas whenever possible.

Choose Summer-Friendly Hairstyles

Summer is the perfect time to flaunt styles that keep your hair controlled, cool, and protected. Loose buns, braids, ponytails, and scarves help reduce exposure to wind, sweat, and environmental particles. Not only do these styles keep you feeling cooler in the heat, but they also reduce breakage by preventing excessive brushing, friction, and pulling.

Remember, tight ponytails and high-tension braids can cause stress at the roots, so keep them gentle and secure with soft ties or silk scrunchies.

Minimize Heat Styling Tools

Your flat iron and blow dryer may be year-round staples, but summer calls for a break from excessive heat. With higher ambient temperatures, adding thermal stress from styling tools can quickly push your hair past its threshold, causing irreversible damage.

Instead of blow-drying, try letting your hair air-dry in braids for soft waves, or use styling techniques like twisting or scrunching while damp for a natural texture. If you do need to use heat, always ensure your hair is completely dry beforehand and reduce the temperature to a moderate setting.

Trim Regularly to Prevent Split Ends

Heat, sun, and constant friction from hats or ties can increase split ends during summer. And once a split starts, it only travels upward, causing more damage along the strand. Regular trims, every 6 to 8 weeks, keep your ends fresh, prevent breakage, and improve the appearance and manageability of your hair. Think of trimming not as losing length, but as making room for healthier, more vibrant growth. Hairstylist Cheryl T. Bergamy recommends trimming 1 to 2 inches every six to eight weeks to avoid fraying ends and keep hair healthy.

Did You Know? Trimming damaged tips doesn’t interfere with growth but actually supports it by reducing tangling and stress.

Switch to a Gentle Nighttime Hair Routine

Hot, humid nights can lead to excessive sweating and friction while you sleep, both of which can undo daytime hair care efforts. The fabric you sleep on matters - cotton pillowcases create friction and absorb moisture, potentially leading to dryness and frizz. Swap them for silk or satin pillowcases, which allow your hair to glide smoothly and help preserve moisture. If you have long or curly hair, consider sleeping in a loose braid or protective wrap to prevent tangles and breakage.

Because when your hair feels light, healthy, and cared for, you can enjoy every sunlit moment with one less worry in the wind.

FAQs

1. What’s the best hairstyle for summer to protect hair from damage?

Low-tension styles like loose braids, buns, or ponytails help minimize friction and environmental exposure. Avoid tight elastics and opt for silk scrunchies or scarves to reduce breakage.

2. Can sun exposure really damage your hair?

Yes, prolonged exposure to UV rays can weaken the protein structure of hair, causing dryness, breakage, and color fading.

3. How often should you wash your hair during summer?

It depends on your hair type and lifestyle. If you're sweating or swimming frequently, rinsing or co-washing may help in between full washes. Generally, 2–3 washes per week with a gentle cleanser is ideal for most hair types to avoid stripping essential oils.

4. Do you need to change your hair care routine during summer?

Yes! Focus on moisture retention, sun protection, and gentle handling. Reducing heat styling and protecting hair while swimming are essential summer hair care tips.

References

How we reviewed this article:

Our experts continually monitor the fashion and beauty space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

• Current Version

• April 15, 2025

Written and Edited By -

Saloni Sachdeva

Saloni Sachdeva is a lifestyle writer with 5+ years of experience in writing in the beauty and haircare industry.