With summer kicking off, it can be difficult to make sure your hair is staying hydrated after long days at the pool or beach.
Of course, it can be tempting to wash it constantly (or if you're feeling lazy, opt for dry shampoo) but is that actually damaging?
To find out exactly how to guarantee you'll have the best tresses in town, FEMAIL spoke to experts like Amber Fillerup Clark and Garren, who shared insight about the easiest ways to protect your scalp and enjoy carefree days outdoors.
Whether you want to embrace your natural curls with a sea spray or feel like trying out a straightening procedure that won't leave you with lifeless locks, these are the top tips and tricks.
To find out exactly how to guarantee you'll have the best tresses in town, FEMAIL spoke to experts who shared insight about how to protect your scalp and hair
Whether you want to embrace your natural curls with a sea spray or feel like trying out a straightening procedure that won't leave you with lifeless locks, these are the best tips
Hydrate your hair and take a break from heat styling
If you spent all winter blow drying your hair so you wouldn't have wet locks in the cold, it's time to give your mane a major break.
Julia Tissot-Gaillard, CEO of the French custom-made brush brand Altesse Studio, said during the summer months, it's important to avoid straightening.
That's not the only way you'll stay hydrated - Julia said it's best to drink more water than usual, 'which will help to reduce dehydration and damage to the hair.'
Influencer and hairstylist Amber Fillerup Clark founded the haircare brand Da, which offers 'clean, simple haircare products'
If your hair is dehydrated, Julia recommended giving it a bit more shine sans straightener with ahigh-quality boar bristle brush like Altesse Studio BEAUTÉ Repair and Shine Hairbrush, which can smooth hair and reduce frizz without any damage.
Influencer and hairstylistAmber Fillerup Clarkfounded the popular haircare brand Dae, which offers 'clean, simple haircare products.'
The Arizona-based content creator told DailyMail.com she uses 'gentle, nourishing hair products to keep strands soft, shiny and healthy,' from her brand, which is 'packed with restorative desert derived botanical extracts' for just that purpose.
Instead of heat styling, the Barefoot Blonde blogger recommended a spritz of the Hibiscus Wave Spray on damp or dry hair for 'effortless summer waves, without any stickiness or crunch.'
Amber's also a fan of leave-in conditioner during the summer, to detangle, condition, and add shine while air drying to skip the hot tools.
Protect your scalp
New York-based Aaron Grenia, the founder of IGK Hair Care, warned sun damage can dry out your hair - but it's preventable if you use products with UV protectors
'The scalp is often overlooked, but it can get sunburned and damaged just like any other part of your body,' Aaron said
New York-based Aaron Grenia, the founder of IGK Hair Care, warned sun damage can dry out your hair - but it's preventable if you use products with UV protectors, which will also prevent hair dye from fading.
'It's important to protect your scalp from the sun's harmful UV rays, just like you would with your skin,' Aaron told FEMAIL.
'The scalp is often overlooked, but it can get sunburned and damaged just like any other part of your body,' Aaron said.
Julia advised, 'If you part your hair in a way that leaves that part of the scalp continually exposed, then applying sunscreen will help protect burning.'
'Or, try styling hair in a way that covers the scalp completely to provide protection,' Julia said.
Next time you're outside, embrace the 'clean girl aesthetic' and slick your hair back into a bun, or add a hat, to stay safe in the sun.
Try a healthy straightening treatment that won't hurt your hair
Olga Isakov, based in Manalapan, New Jersey, founded the treatment and told DailyMail.com that it is groundbreaking for its ability to deliver 'smooth, frizz-free hair, and redefined curls'
If you want to avoid heat styling but stay frizz-free, your best bet is a formaldehyde-free straightening procedure.
How to embrace your best summer hair
- Stop heat styling with a blow dryer or straightening iron
- Try a healthy straightening treatment that won't hurt your hair to de-frizz
- Protect your scalp with sunscreen or a slicked-back ponytail
- Avoid damaging saltwater sprays
- Stop over-washing your hair
- Protect your hair when you go swimming
<!- - ad: https://mads.dailymail.co.uk/v8/us/femail/none/article/other/mpu_factbox.html?id=mpu_factbox_1 - ->
Advertisem*nt
While it might take a few hours to complete, it means you can roll out of bed and get going without styling your hair in any way.
Magic Sleek is a formaldehyde-free hair straightening process that eliminates frizz and redefines curls without harming the hair or your health - and it lasts up to six months, so you're able to wash and go instead of using heat during the hot summer months.
Olga Isakov, based in Manalapan, New Jersey, founded the treatment and told DailyMail.com that it is groundbreaking for its ability to deliver 'smooth, frizz-free hair, and redefined curls,' without harsh chemicals.
No harsh chemicals means no formaldehyde, aldehyde, quaternium (a skin allergen released by formaldahyde), mthylene glycol (a coolant used in paints), propylene glycol (cautionary for people with eczema), or gluten - ingredients that are often found in other methods.
Because of the safety aspect and the fact that it improves hair instead of harming it, the treatment - which lasts for approximately three hours based on hair length and costs upwards of $250 - is popular for summer vacations.
Olga said people most commonly get Magic Sleek when they're getting ready to go on trips, because it is safe in chlorine and salt water.
It also means they won't have to bring hot tools with them in their luggage.
Avoid saltwater sprays
Spending too much time in the ocean can lead to mermaid-like locks - but it could also dry your hair out
Spending too much time in the ocean can lead to mermaid-like locks - but it could also dry your hair out.
Sea sprays can be an easy haircare go-to during the summer months - after all, they add just the right amount of texture and provide beach waves with minimal effort.
However, they could actually be dehydrating your hair because many contain sodium.
'A lot of sea salt sprays give texture, but dry out hair in the summer sun, heat and wind,' Aaron warned.
Luckily, there are alternatives, like IGK's texture foam, which offers a salt-free formula.
Get trims more regularly
Aaron said it's best to get a trim every six to eight weeks, especially in the summer, to 'help remove split ends and keep your hair looking healthy'
If you've been contemplating a shorter summer haircut, it's definitely time.
Aaron said it's best to get a trim every six to eight weeks, especially in the summer, to 'help remove split ends and keep your hair looking healthy' and keep hair 'feeling lighter and more manageable.'
'Summer can be particularly harsh on your hair due to increased exposure to sun, salt water, and chlorine, all of which can contribute to split ends and dryness.'
New York City-based celebrity hairstylist Garren, who co-founded buzzy haircare brand R+Co,agreed and said it's especially beneficial for 'very fine, damaged hair' to get rid of split ends over the summer.
Try dry shampoo to extend the time between washes
Stop over-washing your hair
It's hotter in the summer months, which means you're probably hopping in the shower more than usual.
However, 'over-washing can strip your hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and damage,' Aaron warned.
Instead, try dry shampoo to extend the time between washes, with ingredients that guarantee you're getting ready of the gunk - IGK offers a charcoal detox option that's heavy-duty and oil and sweat-lifting.
'This allows you to go longer between washes, even in hot and humid conditions, without sacrificing the cleanliness and health of your hair,' Aaron enthused.
Of course, you don't have to stick to dry shampoo exclusively.
'To avoid shampooing more often, in-between shampoos you can rinse your hair with water only, and style hair in a pulled back pony or loose bun,' Julia said.
'Just always avoid styling your hair in a way that it pulls it too tightly, which can accentuate hair loss in the long term.'
'Using dry shampoo regularly can cause scalp dryness and irritation, which can disrupt sebum production and lead to even greasier hair,' Julia warned.
Garren has worked with icons like Audrey Hepburn, Christy Turlington, and Linda Evangelista
Swim carefully
Unless you live somewhere where you can swim year-round, you're probably exposing your hair to far more chlorine in the summer.
Garren, who has worked with icons like Audrey Hepburn, Christy Turlington, and Linda Evangelista, explained that 'frizz is usually a result of using the wrong shampoo and conditioner, plus the exposure to chlorine and salt water.'
Garren suggests using a mask on your hair when swimming to protect it, and then immediately rinsing it off post-dip.
Then, he recommends applying adeep conditioning serum while your hair dries to act as a treatment.
'While at the beach, twist your hair up in a little knot, so when you take it out you have natural beach waves,' Garren said.
There's no need to leave the beach with tangled locks that need a major conditioning treatment.
Instead, take advantage of your pool day by making it into a spa day.