Summer is all about sunshine, pool days, and beach escapes—but while you’re soaking up the good vibes, your hair might be silently suffering. UV rays, saltwater, chlorine, and heat can strip your strands of moisture, fade your color, and leave your hair feeling dry, brittle, and frizzy. That’s why having a solid summer hair care routine is essential. With a few simple strategies, you can keep your hair just as vibrant as your summer glow.
UV Protection: Your First Line of Defense in Hair Care
Just like your skin, your hair is vulnerable to sun damage—especially during the summer months when UV exposure is at its peak. Prolonged time in the sun can dehydrate your strands, weaken their structure, and lead to color fading and split ends. That’s where summer hair care begins: with protection. Many leave-in conditioners, oils, and sprays now contain UV filters that act like sunscreen for your hair, helping shield it from harsh rays while keeping it nourished and soft.
There’s truly something for everyone when it comes to finding the perfect heat protectant for your specific hair type—whether your strands are fine and straight, thick and curly, or anything in between. The best part? Adding a heat protectant into your routine doesn’t have to be complicated. We often recommend applying it after every shower, while your hair is still damp and before any styling begins. This small step creates a protective barrier that helps guard against heat damage from blow dryers, flat irons, curling wands, or even the sun’s rays during warmer months.
Heat protectants come in a variety of forms—lightweight sprays for finer hair, nourishing creams for dry or curly textures, and gel-serums for those who want a little added control or frizz-fighting power. Choose a formula that fits seamlessly into your existing routine: spritz before blow-drying, smooth a cream through damp ends, or layer a serum under your usual styling products. It’s an easy, quick habit that makes a big difference in your hair’s long-term health, leaving it softer, shinier, and far less prone to damage. Trust us—your hair will thank you for it every time.
If you’re spending the day outdoors—whether you’re heading to the beach, a backyard hangout, or just running errands—applying a UV-protectant product is a quick step that goes a long way. Pair that with a stylish hat or lightweight scarf for bonus protection. These accessories aren’t just trendy—they’re practical tools in your summer hair care arsenal, helping keep your scalp covered and your strands safe.
Pro Pool Prep Tip: Condition Your Hair Before You Dive
One of the easiest and most effective summer hair care hacks? Apply conditioner to your dry hair before taking a dip in the pool or lake! Dry hair absorbs whatever it touches like a sponge, meaning chlorine, salt, or dirt can soak right in. But by coating your strands with conditioner beforehand, you create a barrier that blocks out harsh elements and helps lock in moisture.
Whether you use a lightweight leave-in or your regular rinse-out conditioner, this trick keeps your hair hydrated and protected, even after hours in the water. Focus on your mid-lengths and ends, braid your hair to keep it tangle-free, and rinse it thoroughly after swimming. Follow up with your regular wash routine, and your hair will feel soft, strong, and refreshed.
Clarify Your Scalp: Detox and Refresh
In the summer, your hair and scalp deal with more than usual: sweat, sunscreen, chlorine, saltwater, and extra styling products. All this buildup can leave your hair feeling heavy, dull, or greasy, and even clog follicles—impacting hair growth. A weekly clarifying shampoo is a must in any summer hair care routine. It detoxes your scalp and removes impurities to restore freshness and shine, while also helping your regular shampoos and treatments work more effectively.
But clarifying shampoos do more than just cleanse—they help rebalance your scalp’s natural oil levels. When your scalp is overloaded with buildup, it can either become overly dry or start overproducing oil to compensate. A good clarifying shampoo helps reset everything, restoring your scalp to a healthy, neutral state. That balance is key to promoting healthier growth, reducing irritation, and keeping your roots feeling light and clean.
We love the Unite WEEKENDER Shampoo for this exact reason. It’s sulfate-free, color-safe, and powerful enough to break through buildup without stripping your hair. You’ll feel refreshed after just one use—and your scalp will feel cleaner, lighter, and more balanced. Just remember: use it once a week and don’t over do it, and always follow up with a moisturizing conditioner or mask to keep your strands soft and hydrated. It’s the perfect balance that we are all looking for in the Summer.
Moisture, Moisture, Moisture
Summer fun often brings extra stress to your strands. With all the sun, salt, and chlorine, your hair can quickly become parched and fragile. That’s why deep conditioning is a non-negotiable part of smart summer hair care.
There are a range of professional deep conditioning treatments designed to bring moisture, strength, and vitality back to your hair—especially after summer stressors like sun, chlorine, and heat styling. Whether you’re dealing with dryness, frizz, or damage, our in-salon treatments are tailored to restore your hair’s health and leave it feeling soft, smooth, and resilient.
One of our most popular options is the Kérastase Fusio-Dose treatment, a luxury in-salon experience that’s fully customizable to your hair’s needs. With over 30 possible combinations, Fusio-Dose allows us to target specific concerns like hydration, frizz control, strength, or shine—all in one powerful, five-minute treatment. It instantly transforms the look and feel of your hair and is perfect for clients looking for a quick boost of intense moisture and repair.
For those struggling with more significant drying damage—like breakage, color processing, or chemical treatments—we also offer the K18 Molecular Repair Treatment. This innovative, science-backed formula goes deeper than surface conditioning, working at the molecular level to repair broken keratin chains within the hair. It not only reverses damage but also helps protect against future breakage, making it ideal for anyone wanting stronger, healthier strands long term.
And to keep your results lasting between appointments, we also recommend a take-home deep conditioning mask tailored to your hair type. Using a hydrating mask once a week at home helps maintain moisture levels, prevent split ends, and keep your hair looking salon-fresh. Whether it’s a nourishing cream from Kérastase or a bonding mask to support your K18 treatment, incorporating this step into your routine is key for long-term hair health—especially during the dry, sunny months.
All Natural: Embrace the Texture You Were Born With
Summer is the perfect time to ditch the heat tools and let your natural waves, curls, or coils shine. Humidity and heat make it hard to maintain sleek styles anyway, so why fight it? Going natural not only saves time—it also protects your hair from unnecessary heat damage, making your summer hair care routine much healthier.
Letting your natural texture shine in the summer isn’t just about convenience—it’s also one of the healthiest things you can do for your hair. Skipping heat tools reduces the risk of dryness, breakage, and split ends, which are all more common during the warmer months when hair is already exposed to environmental stress. Embracing your waves, curls, or coils allows your hair to retain more of its natural moisture, helping it stay soft, defined, and full of life.
Sea salt sprays and curl-enhancing products are essential tools for maintaining and defining your natural hair texture, especially during the summer months. These products are designed to work with your hair’s natural movement, not against it—giving you that effortless, lived-in texture without the need for heat styling. Sea salt sprays, in particular, mimic the effect of a day at the beach by adding light grip, volume, and separation to your strands, enhancing waves and curls for that tousled, beachy finish.
Curl creams, mousses, and gels also play a major role in helping your natural texture hold its shape throughout the day. They provide the moisture and definition that curls and waves crave, helping reduce frizz while keeping your hair soft and manageable. When used correctly, these products help form and maintain curl clumps, add shine, and give your hair the structure it needs to maintain its shape—whether you’re air drying, diffusing, or scrunching!
The key is layering the right products in the right way. For most hair types, applying a leave-in conditioner on damp hair, followed by a curl cream or mousse, and finishing with a sea salt or texturizing spray can help enhance your natural pattern while locking in hold and moisture. These products are lightweight enough for daily use and perfect for anyone who wants low-maintenance, high-impact summer hair that looks effortless—but is totally intentional.
Your Summer Hair Care Support Team
Summer hair care doesn’t have to be complicated—it just takes the right routine, a little consistency, and products that truly work for your hair. Whether you’re battling dryness, frizz, color fade, or simply want to embrace your natural texture, we’re here to help you navigate it all. At The Salon, we’re not just about great hair days—we’re about giving you the tools, education, and professional products you need to keep your hair looking and feeling its best all summer long. From in-salon hair care treatments to customized product recommendations, we’ve got everything you need to live your best, most confident summer life—starting with your hair.
