10 Steps to Repair Your Dry Summer Hair
Summer is synonymous with sun, sea, and, unfortunately, dry hair for many of us. If your hair is feeling parched, it’s time to supercharge your hair’s hydration with a few key steps. Don’t fall into the trap of throwing on hair oil or drenching your hair in conditioner; there are far more effective ways to hydrate dry hair for healthier locks for the rest of the summer season.
What does damaged hair look like?
Dry, damaged hair not only looks and feels dry but also behaves differently from healthy, nourished and hydrated hair. If you have dry hair, you probably also experience:
Knotty, tangled hair, especially at the ends. Often dry hair has more split ends too.
An itchy scalp that may be flaky.
The top half of your hair is likely dryer than the bottom, as that’s where the sun and harsh water affect hair most.
Lifeless and dull colour, even if your hair isn’t dyed.
Rough, frizzy hair
Dry vs. Damaged Hair: What’s the difference?
Dry hair, in most cases, results from moisture loss, which results in damage. Insufficient moisture disrupts the natural balance of your hair, causing increased knots, breakage, and damage. So, if your hair feels extremely dry, it is likely damaged or on the way to being damaged.
Dry Summer Hair: Why does summer cause damaged hair?
Summer not only brings sunshine and fun but also poses challenges for our hair. UV rays, saltwater, and chlorine from swimming pools can cause moisture loss, making your hair more prone to dryness.
Plus, holiday season events and parties usually mean more styling with heated styling tools. For some, it also means chemical treatments to fight the frizziness caused by summer humidity. All this extra styling and intervention dehydrates your hair. Sipping Aperol Spritz and champagne as you watch the sunset every night doesn’t help either!
So now you know all about identifying dry hair and why it happens, here are 10 solutions to help you reset and hydrate your hair this summer.
1. Gentle Cleansing: Choose a Damaged Hair Shampoo
Most people think shampoo cleanses while conditioner hydrates, but if your hair is dry, you’ll need a hydrating shampoo as well as a great conditioner. Look for lightweight versions with natural ingredients designed to add moisture without making your hair heavy and greasy. Rose Damascena possesses hydrating and nourishing properties, perfect for fine, dry hair. Thanks to its lightweight essential oils, it soothes and nourishes your scalp to stimulate healthy, hydrated hair growth; you can find this ingredient in our balancing shampoo.
2. Nourish with a Conditioner for Dry Damaged Hair
Follow up your shampoo routine with a natural hydrating conditioner to lock in moisture. Avoid synthetic ingredients, as long-term use can sometimes leave your hair feeling dry. Instead, look for natural ingredients designed to nourish and protect, like Native Australian Kakadu Plum and Cranberry. Abundant in vitamins A and C, antioxidants, and fatty acids, cranberry and Kakadu Plum actively repair dry hair. This combination of nutrients nourishes and hydrates the hair and actively acts as a protective shield against potential damage from the sun, chlorine and styling.
3. Use a shampoo for split ends, but don’t wash your hair too often
Did you know washing your hair every day is a key culprit behind dry hair? Daily washing is common in summer if you’re in the pool a lot or get sunscreen in your hair, but daily washing can strip your hair of its natural oils. Slathering on extra conditioner won’t help if your hair is parched from the scalp down.
So, consider washing your hair every other day or a few times a week. Opt for the best shampoo for repairing dry hair in Australia, such as V&M's acclaimed Hydrating Shampoo. Its powerful ingredients, like Native Australian Kakadu Plum, strengthen and protect fine hair, plus it contains antioxidants that reduce the oxidative stress responsible for hair damage caused by UV. To help remove chlorine buildup, apply Balancing Shampoo directly to dry hair from the mid-lengths down. Rinse and repeat as needed.
Dry haircare routine from hairstylist Victoria Maude:
Victoria recommends starting with a Balancing Shampoo to remove impurities from your hair, followed by a Hydrating Shampoo for the second wash to hydrate your hair from scalp to strand.
If you have super fine and sparse hair, you might find one to two washes of Balancing Shampoo will be enough to hydrate your hair. However, dryer, frizzy hair would benefit from two shampoos of Hydrating Shampoo to super boost the hair with moisture. Fine, thick hair types should first wash their hair with Balancing Shampoo and follow with Hydrating Shampoo to nourish and hydrate.
“Summer in Australia, from Tasmania to Darwin, can be brutal on our hair. A gentle balancing or clarifying shampoo is perfect in summer to gently eliminate any chlorine, salt, and sunscreen build-up.”
Always follow with Treatment Conditioner, using the recommended amount for your hair length. Keep in mind that V&M Spa products are formulated to be lightweight so they won’t leave your hair limp or greasy.
If you notice a product is making your hair heavy or greasy, there is probably product residue in your hair. So, make sure you rinse extra carefully.
4. Use haircare products for dry hair containing lavender to hydrate your scalp
Tasmanian Bridestowe Lavender is renowned for its calming properties, actively decreasing scalp dryness, irritation, and itchiness. Lavender also stimulates the skin on your scalp, fostering circulation and supporting more hydrated, healthier hair growth.
5. Be Mindful of Heat Styling
Limit the use of heat-styling tools, such as flat irons and curling wands, as excessive heat can contribute to dryness and damage. When you do use these tools, apply a heat protectant spray to shield your hair from the potential harm caused by high temperatures.
Jane, photographed above is one of the photographers we work with and loves the surf and sun as much as we do. She also created the beautifl video below. We look forward to sharing her hair journey with updates now she is using our V&M SPA products x.
6. Trim Away Split Ends
Regular trims are essential for maintaining healthy hair if your hair is dry. If you notice split ends, schedule a trim to prevent further damage and encourage new, healthier growth. A fresh cut can instantly revitalise your locks and give them a renewed vitality.
7. Hydrate from Within: Drink Plenty of Water
Beautiful hair starts from the inside out. Stay hydrated by drinking enough water throughout the day. Proper hydration supports overall hair health, helping combat dryness and promoting a glossy, vibrant mane.
8. Embrace Protective Styles
Consider adopting protective hairstyles to shield your hair from the elements during the summer months. Soft Braids and gentle low buns reduce the strain on your scalp, allowing your hair to retain moisture and stay healthy. We recommend washing your hair at night to allow the hair to dry naturally when you can to minimise the use of heat tools the next day. Tie the hair in a loose bun if you find your hair is on the frizzy side.
9. Use a brush designed to stimulate scalp circulation and hydration
Using a wooden hairbrush is important in boosting the growth and health of your hair by stimulating blood flow from the scalp, which helps to nourish the follicles. Much like the advantages of Gua Sha or Japanese scalp spas, these brushes actively promote circulation, facilitating healthy hair growth and alleviating tension in your scalp. The gentle wooden bristles delicately untangle, preventing damage, a crucial aspect for those with dry or damaged hair. When you use a Gua Sha-style antistatic wooden hairbrush at home, the stimulation of blood flow contributes to the growth of healthier, more hydrated hair from your scalp and helps to minimise frizzy hair.
10. Take high-quality haircare with you on summer getaways
Do you have some summer trips planned? Is a beach holiday on the cards? There’s nothing worse for your hair than using poor haircare during a summer holiday. You’ll have a wonderful time away, but your hair will lose its lustre and may become dry and damaged.
Instead, keep your hair nourished during your holiday by investing in travel-size versions of high quality shampoo and conditioner. Your hair will look and feel healthy while you’re away, and you won’t need to invest in expensive treatment to restore your hair’s health when you get home.
So, now you can say goodbye to dry summer hair and hello to a revitalised mane with the 10 simple steps above. By understanding the root causes of dry hair and implementing a targeted hair care routine, you'll be on your way to achieving the nourished, luscious locks you want. Treat your hair with the love it needs - your hair will love you for it.