Dehydration of the hair shaft is only part of the story. More frequent washing, air conditioning, chlorine, styling and changes to the cuticle all contribute to altering the behaviour of your hair far more than we realise.

 

Summer always leaves its mark.

It’s easy to spot on the skin: your complexion changes, heat builds up, and the surface looks different.

 

 

Hair, on the other hand, shows these changes in a more subtle and imperceptible way. It doesn’t turn red or immediately show signs of distress: yet it does change.

 

It may become duller, or feel progressively less soft to the touch. Sometimes it loses definition; at other times, it gains volume and frizz.

 

The question is: what is really happening? We tend to put it all down to the sun, but – let’s face it – that would be like trying to explain an entire summer by looking at just one day.

 

To truly understand how hair behaves during the warmer months, you need to look at the bigger picture: sunlight, salt, chlorine, wind, air conditioning, more frequent washing and styling routines that follow a different rhythm to the rest of the year.

 

A series of small factors which, when added together, tell a much more complex and interesting story.

 

Why does hair seem drier during the summer?

 

During the summer, the hair fibre is subjected to a series of conditions that encourage the loss of the moisture naturally present within it. The sun heats the surface. The wind speeds up evaporation. High temperatures alter the fibre’s balance.

 

 

But there’s more to it than that. Between days spent outdoors, swimming in the sea and dips in the pool, the frequency of washing inevitably increases too. This is a natural consequence of the season that can contribute to the sensation of dryness.

 

And then there’s salt and chlorine.

These elements are deeply associated with the image of summer but can, however, affect the behaviour of the hair’s surface.

 

The key player in this transformation is the cuticle. When its structure loses its compactness, the hair fibre tends to retain moisture less effectively and appears rougher, less elastic and less shiny.

 

This is where that feeling of ‘thirst’ comes from, which is most prevalent in July and August.

 

 

 

 

Summer habits that put the most strain on your hair

 

The problem doesn’t always come from outside. Often, it’s certain everyday actions – seemingly harmless ones – that have a greater impact than we realise.

 

One of the most common? Putting your hair up whilst it’s still wet.

 

At that moment, the hair fibre is more vulnerable and less resistant to mechanical stress. A quick bun after a day at the beach might seem like a practical solution, but it isn’t always the best way to look after your hair.

 

Then there’s the brush.

 

Or rather: that moment when you try to quickly detangle hair saturated with salt and knots that have built up throughout the day. Rushing, in these cases, rarely helps.

 

Washing your hair also warrants some thought.

 

In summer, you wash your hair more often – it’s inevitable. The difference lies not so much in the frequency as in the quality of the wash.

 

Then there’s a habit that’s less obvious than the others: not changing your routine when the season changes. The hair shaft gradually accumulates stress, and continuing to treat it as you would in January may not be enough to protect it from the sun, chlorine, wind and frequent washes.

 

Finally, there’s a question worth asking: if the sun, wind and heat are already putting the hair to the test, is it really necessary to keep using heat styling tools with the same intensity as the rest of the year? Sometimes, care simply means taking away, rather than adding.

 

 

Air conditioning: the invisible culprit and a side effect of summer

 

When we think of summer stress, the sun is almost always the first suspect.

 

Yet much of our day is spent elsewhere: in the office, in the car, at the airport, in and out of shops… In all those places united by one element that rarely features in conversations about hair: air conditioning.

 

The interesting thing is that the problem isn’t just about the temperature. It’s about the constant transition from one environment to another.

 

Outside it’s 35 degrees. Inside it’s 22.

Outside, the air is hot and humid. Inside, it’s drier and air-conditioned.

 

The hair fibre thus finds itself constantly adapting to ever-changing conditions.

 

Over time, this can affect softness, manageability and comfort, contributing to increased frizz and a feeling of dehydration.

 

 

 

Why does colour lose its shine during the summer?

 

When a colour appears less vibrant, our thoughts immediately turn to the pigment.

But is it really all down to the colour? No, not always.

 

 

 

 

In fact, there is one factor that is often overlooked: the way the hair reflects light.

Imagine a smooth, even surface: light passes through it and is reflected evenly.

Now imagine a more uneven surface. The reflection changes and the shine diminishes.

 

The same principle applies to the cuticle.

When the hair’s surface is smooth, the colour appears brighter.

When, on the other hand, the hair fibre is more exposed to environmental stress, light is reflected less uniformly and the perceived shine is reduced.

 

That’s why keeping the hair fibre well-hydrated isn’t just about softness but also about how the colour is perceived. And that’s why, during the summer, hydration and cosmetic protection of the hair fibre work hand in hand.

 

 

 

Summer styling: less heat and more room for natural texture

 

There’s a common misconception that crops up every summer: the idea that giving up straighteners and hairdryers inevitably means giving up on styling.

 

In reality, the opposite is often true.

High temperatures and humidity naturally alter the behaviour of the hair, making this season particularly well-suited to enhancing its original texture rather than transforming it.

 

Fewer heat-styling steps, more gradual drying times and greater attention to the hair’s natural movement can help preserve its softness and shine.

 

Is it really necessary to correct every wave, every bit of volume, every movement?

 

After all, soft waves, undone updos, lived-in textures and lighter styling tell a story of beauty that is less contrived and more in tune with the rhythm of the season.

 

 

 

 

Checklist: what your hair would like to tell you before you set off

 

Let’s summarise:

 

1 – Don’t rush to tie your hair up; after a swim or a shower, give your hair time to let off excess moisture.

 

2 – Detangle gradually, as salt, wind and knots require a gentle touch.

 

3 – Always rinse your hair after a day at the beach or in the pool

 

4 – Alternate between styling and taking a break: every now and then, let your hair’s natural texture do its thing.

 

5 – Stick to a consistent routine

 

6 – Remember that shine also depends on the quality of the surface that reflects the light.

 

7 – Be careful with air conditioning