Sunshine, sea swims and long days by the pool… Summer can take its toll on the hair. By the time the holidays are over, lengths may feel drier, ends more fragile and the hair less luminous. After several weeks of exposure to UV rays, salt and chlorine, a few simple steps can help protect the hair and gradually restore suppleness and resilience.
Sun, salt and chlorine: how summer weakens the hair fibre
While the sun can bring out beautiful natural highlights, repeated exposure may also disrupt the hair’s balance. UV rays weaken the hair fibre, while seawater and chlorine can intensify dryness. Coloured, bleached or already sensitised hair is often the first to show the effects.
After the holidays, the signs are usually easy to recognise: rougher lengths, hair that tangles more easily, brittle strands or split ends. Colour may also appear less vibrant. These are all signs that it may be time to adapt your haircare routine rather than simply add more products.
A gentler approach to haircare
When caring for hair damaged by summer, the first step is to give it some respite. Cleansing should remain gentle, with a shampoo suited to the scalp and a conditioner or treatment applied through the lengths to ease detangling and help reduce breakage.
Once or twice a week, depending on the hair type, a nourishing or repairing hair mask can help bring softness and suppleness back to dry lengths. A few drops of hair oil or a leave-in treatment can also be applied to the ends.
The way hair is handled matters just as much. Wet hair is particularly vulnerable, so it is best to detangle it gently and avoid vigorous towel-drying. Cutting back on hairdryers, straighteners and curling irons for a while can also help protect an already sensitisedfibre.
For severely damaged ends, a light trim may sometimes be the most effective option. A repairing treatment can improve their appearance and help protect the hair fibre, but it cannot permanently mend an established split end.
Understanding what your hair needs before treating it
Dry hair, a sensitised scalp, dehydrated lengths or faded colour do not necessarily call for the same care. Before completely changing your routine, it is worth identifying exactly what the hair needs.
A professional hair diagnosis allows both the scalp and the lengths to be assessed, helping to determine the most suitable treatments. This personalised approach can also be found in the Leonor Greyl hair rituals, among the beauty treatments at the Medi-Spa Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay. The rituals combine expert diagnosis, scalp massage and targeted care for the lengths.
The start of a new season is also an ideal opportunity to adopt a few lasting habits: protecting the hair from the sun, rinsing it with fresh water after swimming in the sea or pool, and treating it regularly according to its needs. Simple gestures that help keep the hair supple, glossy and full of vitality for longer.