Is Summer Secretly Damaging Your Hair? Here’s What It’s Doing to Your Hair Type
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Time to read 3 min
If your hair feels different lately — drier, frizzier, flatter or harder to manage — it’s not your imagination. Summer conditions change the structure of your hair, and each hair type responds differently to heat, UV exposure, salt, chlorine and humidity.
The mistake most people make? Using the same routine year-round.
Below, we break down how summer damages different hair types and exactly what to use to protect, repair and maintain healthy hair — without weighing it down.
Dry or Dehydrated Hair: Why Summer Drains Moisture So Fast
What’s happening:
Sun exposure and saltwater strip moisture from the hair shaft, weakening the cuticle and leaving hair brittle, dull and rough to the touch. This is why hair can feel dry even if you’re conditioning regularly.
What actually helps:
Lightweight hydration and bond repair — not heavy masks that can trap heat and weigh hair down.
Our Top Picks
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Pre-Treatment 150ml: Intensive pre-shampoo treatment for reinforcing weakened bonds and deeply conditioning dry hair.
L'Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Absolut Repair Molecular Mask 250ml: Rebuilds peptide bonds for deep repair of very damaged hair.
Color Wow Dream Cocktail Kale Treat - Repair 200ml: A leave-in treatment that instantly strengthens bonds and reduces breakage.
Frizzy or Humidity-Prone Hair: Why Heat Makes Frizz Worse
What’s happening:
Humidity causes hair to swell as moisture enters the hair shaft. This lifts the cuticle, resulting in puffiness, frizz and loss of shape — especially on hot days.
What actually helps:
Anti-humidity and smoothing products that seal the cuticle and block moisture from getting in.
Our Top Picks
KMS Hairstay Anti-Humid Seal 150ml: Shields hair from frizz and humidity for up to 72 hours, suitable for all hair types and vegan-friendly.
Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray 200ml: The original, humidity-proofing, glossy-finish spray.
KEVIN.MURPHY Easy Rider 100g: an anti-frizz styling crème/treatment with flexible hold.
Coloured or Chemically Treated Hair: Why Colour Fades Faster in Summer
What’s happening:
UV exposure breaks down colour molecules, while chlorine and salt weaken bonds — leading to fading, dryness and brassiness.
What actually helps:
Bond repair and UV protection to preserve colour integrity and hair strength.
Our Top Picks
ghd Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray For Coloured Hair 120ml: Offers advanced UV and heat protection for coloured hair.
Unite 7 Seconds Leave In Detangler 236ml: detangles, strengthens, and defends all hair types from UV/thermal stress.
milk_shake Lifestyling Blowdry Primer 200ml: UV filter and anti-fade protection with quinoa proteins and fruit extracts.
Fine or Flat Hair: Why Hair Loses Volume in the Heat
What’s happening:
Sweat, oil and product buildup weigh hair down, while heat causes fine hair to collapse faster.
What actually helps:
Lightweight volume and texture — without residue or stickiness.
Our Top Picks
ELEVEN Australia Body Volume Powder 9g: This lightweight styling powder adds instant root lift and texture, perfect for turning flat hair into voluminous styles.
Redken Volume Injection Shampoo 300ml: This shampoo is formulated with a Bodifying Complex to boost volume and lift for fine, flat hair.
Color Wow Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer 195ml: Alcohol-free, keeps hair soft while adding dramatic volume and control.
Curly or Wavy Hair: Why Curls Lose Definition in Summer
What’s happening:
Sun exposure dehydrates curls, while humidity causes frizz and curl drop — making definition harder to maintain.
What actually helps:
Moisture + curl definition with frizz control in breathable formulas.
Our Top Picks
milk_shake Curl Passion Leave In Spray 300ml: Helps keep curls soft and long-lasting.
Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream 250ml: Enhances and defines natural curls with argan oil.
evo Liquid Rollers Curl Balm 200ml: Defines and conditions curls, reducing frizz.
Oily or Sweaty Scalp: Why Summer Scalp Care Matters More
What’s happening:
Heat and sweat increase oil production and buildup, which can clog follicles and affect hair health.
What actually helps:
Scalp care that exfoliates, balances and refreshes.
Our Top Picks
evo head start scalp exfoliator 150ml: This exfoliator uses both physical and chemical exfoliants to deeply cleanse, remove dead skin and buildup, and promote a refreshed, balanced scalp.
Virtue Exfoliating Scalp Scrub 150ml: Buffs away dead skin and excess oil, leaving your scalp refreshed and hair bouncy.
Loreal Professionel Serie Expert Scalp Advanced Anti-Oilyness Serum 90mL: A lightweight serum with AHA to gently exfoliate, balance oils, and refresh your scalp.
The Bottom Line
Summer doesn’t damage hair the same way for everyone — but it does change how your hair behaves. By adjusting your routine to suit your hair type, you can prevent damage, protect your style and keep hair looking healthy all season long.