5 ways summer can damage your hair and how to fix and avoid them, according to experts

Your skin isn’t the only thing that can get fried this summer. Your hair can suffer serious damage, too — and not just from the sun, but also from the chlorine in the swimming pool, saltwater, heat, and humidity.

“Remember that hair is made up of dead cells and once it is damaged, it doesn’t heal itself," begins Mae Ramirez-Quizon, MD, FPDS, a dermatologist at St. Luke's Medical City in BGC, specializing in hair and nail disorders.

"So we need to be extra careful not to cause too much damage in the first place. [Instead] we should aim to replenish lost oils and moisture, especially when the hair is over-styled or processed, and when it is subjected to outside forces such as heat, chemicals such as chlorine, or saltwater.”

Illustration by Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/GMA News

1. Dry, Brittle Hair

Summer just isn’t complete without a trip to the beach, but bear in mind that the sun, saltwater, and sea wind can really do a number on your hair.

Ramirez-Quizon says hair damage caused by the sun is a primary concern in the summer: “Ultraviolet rays from the sun can break down hair proteins, [starting with] the cuticle or the outer covering of the hair.

"Damage to the cuticle can [then] lead to drying and brittleness, and renders the underlying hair cortex and melanosomes (pigment granules that provide our tissues with color and protection from UV rays, and transport melanin) more prone to damage, too.”

In the case of saltwater, Ramirez-Quizon explains that the high salt content in seawater can and will draw water out of your hair, leaving it brittle.

Rounding out the trifecta, she says that because hair is extremely hygroscopic — it tends to absorb moisture in the air — dry summer air ends up pulling the water molecules out of the hair.

Wearing a hat and avoiding the midday sun can avoid this total hair fiasco.

Ramirez-Quizon also recommends a regular trim—“about one-fourth inch every two months”—to prevent split ends and strongly urges you use a conditioner or a two-in-one shampoo and conditioner to lock in moisture. If you can find one with dimethicone in the ingredients all the better. “Dimethicone […] is known to decrease static electricity, leading to improved shine and texture,” Ramirez-Quizon shares.

2. Frizzy Hair or Oily Hair

Humidity can affect your hair two ways: It can either turn up the frizz or make it limp and oily. 

Ramirez-Quizon explains, “When the air is humid, hair absorbs water from the environment causing it to swell. The water molecules form hydrogen bonds with proteins in your hair [triggering the formation of] curls and frizz.”

On the other hand, if you have fine, flat hair, the water it absorbs from the environment weighs it down even more, making it limp and heavy.

Combat the effects of humidity by using the right product for your hair type, and by shampooing and conditioning your hair properly.

RELATED: Is shampooing every day bad for my hair?

According to Ramirez-Quizon, shampoos are meant for the scalp while conditioners are for the hair. So use the shampoo on your scalp and let it rinse off your hair. Using it directly on the hair can lead to dry strands.

Meanwhile, apply the conditioner to the hair itself, especially the tips, to coat and strengthen it. Avoid applying it directly on the scalp especially if you have oily hair.

3. Dandruff

You have our hot and humid summer weather to thank (or not) for turning your scalp into prime breeding ground for dandruff-causing yeast or fungi, says Reyes-Habito.

As pediatric and adult dermatologist Dr. Maria Lourdes Palmero of The Medical City and the UST Hospital points out, “[In the summer,] your scalp produces more sweat and oil causing the yeast to proliferate.”

So if warmer weather brings out the flakes, it’s time to switch to an anti-dandruff shampoo. Reyes-Habito suggests you look for a shampoo with dandruff-fighting ingredients like zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, or ketoconazole. 

4. Green Hair

Have you ever taken a dip in the pool and come out with dry hair, or worse, green hair? That’s because the chlorine in pool water can cause hair damage, and in some cases, discoloration.

“A chlorinated pool has a pH of around 7.5, which is basic. It [can dry and irritate] hair and skin, and strip the hair of natural protective oils,” says Palmero. What’s more, she continues, “Chlorinated pools have metals like copper, which can leach into hair causing it to [become] dry and have a greenish tinge.”

Nobody wants to end up looking like a chia pet, but that doesn’t mean you need to steer clear of swimming pools altogether. Our experts offer a simple and easy solution: Shampoo and condition your hair right after swimming to rinse off the chlorine and restore moisture.

Ramirez-Quizon also recommends putting on a tight swimming cap before jumping into the pool “to protect against chlorine and limit hair contact with other elements.” She adds that applying a leave-on conditioner that contains zinc oxide can “help protect the hair shaft from being stripped off its natural oils.”

RELATED: I used a shampoo bar for one week. Here’s what happened

5. Sunburnt Scalp and Hair Loss

According to Ramirez-Quizon,“There is evidence that too much sun exposure on the scalp can cause not only sun damage, but in certain individuals, some hair loss. [Plus,] because the scalp forms part of the skin, too much sun damage can also render one at risk for certain types of skin cancer.”

To protect your scalp, she recommends you wear hats or use an umbrella in the summer and avoid sun exposure from 10AM to 4PM, “[when] the sun is at its closest to [the] earth, and will cause the most damage.”

Palmero mentions that there are now sunscreen sprays for the hair that you can use, too. Unfortunately, they’re not yet available locally, but if you can get your hands on one, it’s a great way to shield your scalp from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Additional Tips

Another tip Palmero has to keeping your hair healthy this summer is to ditch the hairdryer and the flat or curling iron. “Avoid added heat to the hair and scalp, including blowdrying daily, flat irons, perming, etc.,” she advises.

Instead, Ramirez-Quizon suggests to air dry you hair as much as you can, proposing that you should “wash your hair at least 30 minutes before you head out so it has time to air-dry.”

You may want to try out hair masks, too. Reyes-Habito compares using hair masks to applying lotion on your body. “Masks repairs the cuticles and smoothens it out. Masks are thicker and creamier than conditioners, so they are better at repairing cuticles and bringing back moisture. — LA, GMA News