Heatwave – Hair Care!

As the long-awaited heatwave hits…our very own Eva Proudman FIT IAT – founder of www.ukhairconsultants.com and our portfolio of award-winning products – talks us through how to take care of your hair and scalp during the Summer months, ensuring you can stay ahead of any potential damage to your ‘crowning glory’

“We’ve all been manifesting a perfect Summer 2025 during what has seemed like endless cold and gloomy Winter months – and here it is! In fact, in true British weather style, we seem to have lurched from one extreme to the other, with temperatures hovering around 30 for the foreseeable….

“Without putting a dampener on things, Summer can play havoc on our hair, with sun exposure, sudden high temps. humidity, chlorine from swimming pools, and the salt from the sea, all posing potential threats! But the good news is that with the right protection, sun, saltwater and swimming pool chemicals won’t leave our hair feeling dry and brittle”:

Sun Know How

The key is understanding how UV rays affect the structure of your hair and scalp, and therefore which techniques need to be put into practice to prevent damage. UV radiation from the sun causes damage from free radicals and oxidative stress causing structural alterations in the hair by penetrating the shaft and cuticle, these include moisture loss and fading of the natural and/or chemical colour. As this happens, the hair can lose its lusciousness and become severely dry and dull, also increasing the risk of split ends and breakage.  The scalp can also burn just like any other area of exposed skin, the same skin damage is experienced, UV radiation can dry the scalp and cause itching inflammation and flaking, all can lead to hair loss.

Protect the hair by minimising direct exposure during the hottest part of the day when UV rays are at their most intense, normally between the hours of 10am and 3pm. If you are spending a lot of time outside, seek shade or cover for your hair with a scarf or hat to give yourself extra protection.

Make sure you‘re applying a hydrating shampoo and conditioner made especially to restore moisture and nourish hair that has been exposed to the sun.   Tricotain hair retaining shampoo has been specially formulated to reduce oxidative stress containing an abundance of antioxidants to prevent damage and shedding.  To hydrate and revitalise your hair, look for products with ingredients such as Glycerin, coconut oil and olive oil.

I also recommend using a UV protective mist if you are planning on spending a significant amount of time in the sun. Hot styling appliances can put extra stress on the hair during the Summer, leading to dullness and dry-looking locks, so try and minimise the use of hair straighteners and opt for natural styling techniques. And, if you really can’t cope without them, make sure they are on a low setting ie. always 180 degrees and/or below.

Conditioning masks and mists

I’m a great advocate or conditioning masks! These can protect the hair if you slather on a conditioning mask before going for a swim.

If you are in and out of the pool a lot over summer, then a conditioning mist is key to help protect your hair. Wet the hair down and put it all over the hair before you get into the water, this is particularly important if you have coloured your hair as it will be more porous. A mist and or mask will help to coat and protect the hair making it less easy for the chlorine and/or salt to penetrate the hair’s core.

Oils are another great product which provide protection from the drying effects of sea salt and chlorine. The help to nourish and moisturise sun-kissed hair make sure to massage these into the ends which often are drier and more susceptible to damage.

I always choose a lightweight oil such as Argan, Marula or Jojoba which can be applied when the hair is damp to help keep it moisturised. Coconut water works just the same.

Additionally, use a specially formulated hair mask weekly, choose one which acts as a hydrating reconditioner such as the ‘Tricopro Hydrating Reconditioner’ to keep the hair hydrated and easy to manage.

Wear a swimming cap

If you thought swimming caps were a thing of your primary school years, you are wrong! They are an effective and easy way to protect your hair from harmful chemicals often found in pools which can discolour and dry out the hair.

Hair can take on a greenish tinge after swimming in a chlorinated pool, this is due to the copper algaecides that are used to prevent algae growing in the pool water. Caps protect the hair from these chemicals but always make sure to wash the hair thoroughly once you get out of the water.

Don’t forget the aftercare

Sun exposure can also harm the scalp, causing dryness, irritation, and inflammation.  To counter this, try using a scalp treatment with soothing ingredients such as the Teatree & Rosemary Scalp Cream (TTR) – which treats mild scalp conditions and is a blend of highly effective anti-scaling agents including, Piroctone Olamine, Tea Tree Oil, Rosemary Oil and Salicylic acid.  It is also rich in glycerine and olive oil to moisturise the hair and scalp tissues.

Silk or Satin Pillowcases

During these months, when the hair and scalp is under particular strain, switch to silk or satin pillowcases to minimize friction and reduce damage to your hair while you sleep. These smooth fabrics also help to prevent tangling and breakage, keeping your hair smooth, shiny, and healthy. If you’re tying your hair up, make sure that you always use a silk scrunchie for the same aforementioned reasons.

You are what you eat

As the old adage goes, you are what you eat. The health of our air is strongly influenced by our diet, so make sure you nourish your hair from the inside out. In fact, throughout year and whatever the weather, it’s important to eat a protein-rich diet found in meat, eggs, nuts and seeds and to keep well hydrated. The hair is made up of 10% water and needs that hydration to maintain its strength and shine.

For more information on hair loss and scalp health visit: ukhairconsultants.com