How to prepare your hair before summer?

In summer, the sun, sea salt and pool chlorine dry out hair, dull its color and make it more brittle. Wavy, curly, coily and afro-textured hair, which is naturally drier, is particularly sensitive to this. To protect it, three habits are enough: cover your hair in the sun, rinse it with clean water after every swim and boost its hydration throughout the season.

In this article, we explain how the sun, the sea and the pool affect your hair, and how to adapt your routine for summer.

What does the sun do to hair?

UV rays gradually break down keratin, the protein that makes up hair, as well as the lipids that protect its surface. The result:

• hair becomes drier, rougher and breaks more easily;
• the ends get damaged and split;
• color fades or dulls, especially on color-treated hair;
• the scalp, if left uncovered, can get sunburned, especially along the parting.

Why does seawater damage hair?

Seawater is slightly alkaline, with a pH of around 8, while hair is naturally acidic. It makes the fiber swell and lifts its scales. As it dries, salt absorbs moisture from the hair and dries it out. Hair becomes rough, tangles more and is more exposed to UV rays.

And pool chlorine?

Chlorine is an oxidising agent: it removes the hair's natural lipids and leaves it dry and porous. On light or bleached hair, pool water can also leave greenish tints, caused by the metals it contains. The more often you swim, the more the effect builds up.

How to protect your hair in summer?

• Cover your hair in the sun: a hat, a scarf or a cap remains the most effective protection, especially between 12 pm and 4 pm.
• Wet your hair with clean water before swimming: already saturated with fresh water, it absorbs less salt or chlorinated water. Applying a leave-in treatment before getting in the water adds a barrier.
• Rinse it with clean water after every swim: this is the most important step to remove salt and chlorine.
• Apply a protective treatment: the 10-in-1 Multiprotect Spray protects against UV and heat, and makes detangling easier. Plant oils nourish the lengths, but they don't replace real protection: don't rely on them as sunscreen.
• Wash gently: in summer, we often wash our hair more frequently. The Co-Wash cleanses without drying and is suitable for frequent washing.
• Opt for a loose protective style: tying your hair up limits its exposure to the sun and friction. Avoid styles that are too tight.

How to keep your hair hydrated in summer?

• Refresh your curls every day: spray the Hydrating Spray on the lengths to reactivate curls and restore hydration without weighing them down.
• Do a deep treatment once a week: apply the Intensive Nourishing Mask after washing, or do an oil bath before shampooing.
• Seal in hydration: after your treatments, apply a small amount of light oil or shea butter to the ends to limit dryness.
• Limit heat: in summer, take the opportunity to let your hair air-dry rather than using a dryer.

Which treatments for your texture?

• Wavy (2A to 2C): favor light care. The Spray 10en1 Multiprotect protects and hydrates without weighing waves down.
• Curly (3A to 3C): the Co-Wash for frequent washes, then the Hydrating Spray to refresh curls between washes.
• Coily and afro-textured (4A to 4C): the Intensive Nourishing Mask every week, and a loose protective style during the holidays to limit handling.

Frequently asked questions about hair in summer

Do oils protect hair from the sun?

Not enough. Some plant oils filter UV very slightly, but their effect is weak and variable. They nourish hair, but don't replace a hat or a protective treatment.

Should you wash your hair after every swim?

A rinse with clean water is enough after each swim. A gentle wash, with a co-wash, is useful at the end of the day if you've been swimming several times.

Does the sun lighten hair?

Yes. UV rays break down hair pigments, which lightens or dulls the color, especially on colored or bleached hair. Covering your hair limits this effect.

Co-wash or shampoo in summer?

Co-wash is ideal for frequent summer washes, as it cleanses without drying. A shampoo is still useful from time to time to remove product, salt or chlorine residue.

In summary

In summer, sun, salt and chlorine dry out textured hair. Cover it in the sun, rinse it after every swim, wash it gently and boost its hydration with care suited to your texture. These simple habits help you get through summer with hydrated, healthy curls.

To go further, discover our article on lifeless hair and our article on textured hair growth.