10 Tips to Protect Your Hair in Summer

A useful summer hair routine starts before you reach the beach: take a hat, plan how you will wash after swimming and choose a style that does not need constant restyling. Sun, pool time and your usual heat routine can leave the hair needing more care.

These ten tips keep the focus on practical protection and manageable hair, whether you wear a short crop, curls or longer lengths.

1. Make a hat part of the plan

A hat gives your hair physical coverage while you are outdoors. Choose one you will comfortably wear, and use shade when possible. The AAD’s summer guidance recommends a wide-brimmed hat for hair protection.

2. Remember exposed scalp

Short cuts, partings and thinning areas can leave skin exposed. For uncovered skin, follow normal sun-protection guidance and the sunscreen label. The AAD specifically advises protecting exposed scalp. A styling product should not be assumed to provide that protection.

3. Plan around colour appointments

If you colour or bleach your hair, tell your colourist about an upcoming swimming holiday. Ask how to time the service and maintain the colour. Avoid treating a last-minute colour change and a week of sun and pools as unrelated decisions.

4. Wash according to sweat and buildup

Summer may change how often your scalp feels oily or coated. Adjust your routine rather than following a rigid rule about how many washes are allowed. Rinse thoroughly and avoid piling on more styling product simply to disguise buildup.

By Vilain Rush Shampoo is a current everyday cleansing option. Follow its directions and assess how the routine works for your hair.

5. Give the lengths a conditioning step

Use conditioner where the hair needs help with manageability, particularly through longer ends. By Vilain Rush Conditioner is a rinse-out option. Use the label’s method rather than assuming a thicker coating or longer contact time will give a better result.

6. Choose a leave-in only if you need one

If your usual rinse-out step is not enough, consider a leave-in product designed for your hair type. Use a small amount where it is needed. The AAD distinguishes leave-in products from rinse-out conditioners; one should not be improvised from the other.

7. Keep pool care separate from sun care

Use a swim cap and rinse after swimming. If you swim frequently, ask about a suitable swimmers’ shampoo rather than expecting a styling product to provide complete pool protection. Our pool-water guide covers the before-and-after routine.

8. Reduce unnecessary heat styling

Try a finish that works with your natural texture on days outdoors. When you use a dryer, keep it moving on low heat and follow your heat-protectant’s directions.

By Vilain Sidekick is a pre-styler with heat protection. That does not make it a substitute for a hat or sunscreen: dryer protection and protection from the sun are different jobs.

9. Untangle gently after the day out

Do not force a tool through knots. Separate the hair into smaller sections and work from the ends upwards. A wide-tooth option such as the By Vilain XL Comb can help. For curls, adapt the method using our curly-hair routine.

10. Tidy the shape when it needs it

A trim can remove worn ends and make the style easier to manage; it does not restore hair that has already been cut away. Ask your barber what needs attention and how much length to keep. There is no need to turn summer care into an automatic full restyle.

Your summer bag, kept simple

Pack a comfortable hat, the cleansing and conditioning products you use, and a suitable detangling tool. Add a swim cap for pool time. Skip homemade repair mixtures and focus on a routine you can repeat throughout the trip.

Related guides

• How to Protect Your Hair from Pool Water
• Platinum Blonde Hair for Men: Colour Planning and Aftercare