Summer Hair Care Tips to Prevent Relaxed Hair Dryness and Damage

During the summer, we tend to spend a lot of time outside. Time in the sun, on the sand, and at the sea. This exposes your hair to heat, wind, salt, and chlorine. All of which can do a number on hair, drying it out and causing breakage and split ends. This makes keeping our relaxed hair protected and moisturized even more important.

Related read: 10 Of The Best Summer Hair And Beauty Tips

If you're going to be spending a lot of time out in the sun and heat this summer, keep reading to see what you can do to help your relaxed hair not dry out. 

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1. Add conditioner to your hair

If you’re not hitting the water, but lounging in the shade by the pool or oceanside, you can use that time to condition your hair. Before you head to the pool or beach, apply a moisturizing rinse-out or deep conditioner to your hair strands. At the end of your day, when you wash your hair, you'll find that conditioning worked as a great moisturizing pre-poo.

For those who will be spending some time in the water, the conditioner can also double as a hair protectant of sorts. When your hair strands are full or saturated with good moisture before you hit the water, they soak up less chlorinated water and saltwater. This can help keep your hair from drying out.

To do this, grab your favorite deep conditioner or rinse-out conditioner, comb it through your hair, put your hair up in a bun, and let the heat of the day work with your deep conditioner. 

Related read: 7 Hair Masks To Fix Your Dry Hair Issues

2. Cover your hair

Using a hat to cover your hair keeps it safe and protected from the sun's rays, which can dry it out. I like to wear straw-like hats because I find them more breathable than a baseball cap. Another option is a light scarf.

When you cover your hair, it's best to put your hair up rather than wear it down so that you can cover most or all of your hair with the head covering. It's really important to cover your ends since they are the oldest part of your hair and most prone to drying out the fastest. 

3. Wear your hair up

If you don't like to wear a hat or it's not possible, try putting your hair up in a bun. I wear buns a lot, and I've found that my hair, especially my ends, can stay moisturized because they are tucked away.

Before putting your hair in a bun, moisturize and seal your hair if you didn't do it the night before. Believe me, your hair will thank you.

4. Use UV-protectant products

UV protection is not just for our skin. It's also good for our hair. Prolonged sun exposure can break down the hair’s protein structure, making the hair dry and brittle, which can lead to split ends and make it hard to manage. By using hair products with UV-protectant, such as leave-in conditioners and sprays, you can help shield your hair from those rays. 

It's not easy finding UV-protectant products, especially with brands that are formulated specifically for black or relaxed hair. A few good mainstream options I found are 

• Sun Bum Revitalizing 3 in 1 Leave-In Conditioner, which offers UV protection while detangling and conditioning
• Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil, a lightweight mist that helps prevent sun damage for up to 16 hours
• Moroccanoil Protect & Prevent Spray, which provides daily protection against environmental stressors, including UV rays, while nurturing damaged and broken hair and split ends

Not only do these products guard against sun damage, they also help lock in moisture, smooth frizz, and keep your hair looking shiny and healthy all summer long.