Your Summer Hair Care Routine
Summer is all about enjoying that vacation feeling, getting out in the sunshine and keeping things chilled. There’s no need to let dandruff or an itchy scalp stand between you and the swimming pool – we’ve got the perfect tips to protect your hair and scalp from summer stresses.
ITCHY SCALP IN SUMMER – WHAT CAUSES IT?
If you suffer from an itchy scalp, you might think the problem is worse in summer as temperatures rise and you sweat more.
But it’s not always the weather that’s the root cause. In fact, it’s quite likely to be dandruff.
Itching is a common sign of dandruff and during the summer months, your scalp is exposed to external factors which can aggravate a dandruff problem, thus making your scalp itch more than usual.
HOW TO TREAT SCALP ITCH IN SUMMER
To get rid of an itchy scalp caused by dandruff you need to tackle the root cause of the problem – dandruff.
Choose an anti-dandruff shampoo like Head & Shoulders, which contains the active ingredient zinc pyrithione – it’s been proven in hundreds of clinical studies to tackle the dandruff-causing microbe and to remove flakes.
We’ve also developed a shampoo just for itchy scalps – our range tackles itch the moment it hits your head and it contains eucalyptus extract too for an instant cooling feeling – perfect for hot summer days.
DANDRUFF IN SUMMER – HOW HOT WEATHER CAN AGGRAVATE DANDRUFF
It’s important to remember, hot weather doesn’t cause dandruff. Although it’s easy to think it might as many people notice their symptoms are aggravated during warmer weather.
Dandruff is in fact a year-round problem for those who suffer from it. It's caused by a microbe on the scalp that’s always present come rain or shine. Read more about the causes of dandruff.
But during the summer months, there are a number of things which may make the symptoms appear worse, including:
heat – as temperatures rise, the dandruff-causing microbe Malassezia globosa is more likely to thrive, raising the prospect of a dandruff flare-up.
sweat– this can also provide ideal conditions for Malassezia globosa to thrive, raising the prospect of a flare-up.
pollution – in warmer weather we tend to be outside more, and this puts us in contact with more pollutants which can damage your scalp’s natural defences. With your defences down, you’re more at risk of dandruff.
GREASY HAIR IN SUMMER – WHAT CAUSES IT?
Oil on the hair and scalp is completely natural. Everyone produces sebum and it’s an essential way the body keeps the hair and scalp moisturised.
However, we don’t all produce the same amount and, particularly in the summer months, some people can experience more oily hair than others.
WHY SUMMER CAN MAKE HAIR LOOK GREASY
Sebum production is controlled by the body’s sebaceous glands and these can become overactive in warmer weather.
Sweating in the summer months can exacerbate this too, by assisting the oil from sliding down the hair follicle to cover more of the hair rather than staying closer to the scalp.
HOW TO CARE FOR GREASY HAIR IN THE SUMMER
Make sure you wash your hair regularly – you’ll likely see more sweat build up in the summer so it’s best to keep your hair as clean as you can.
A deep cleaning, cleansing shampoo like Classic Clean shampoo is a good option here as there designed to remove sweat and build-up to leave you feeling really clean.
There are also fresh, summery scented variants like Apple Fresh shampoo or Citrus Fresh shampoo which will help keep your hair smelling great on hot days.
There are plenty of ways to make sure your hair feels fresh, clean and healthy while keeping your dandruff and itchy scalp in check:
Protect your hair from the sun. When your scalp burns, it can peel and look like dandruff. Try wearing a breathable, oversized hat, or protecting your part line, and exposed scalp areas, with a bit of sunscreen (dab lightly with your fingertips).
Prep your hair - especially if you’re swimming, which exposes your hair to salt water and chlorine. Pre-wet your hair with tap water and use a leave-in conditioner before you get in the pool. Prevent tangling by putting your hair in a braid or bun (plus a swim cap if you’re doing laps).
Take extra care once you get back indoors. Heat and sweat can cause dandruff-causing microbes on your scalp to thrive. Help prevent a flare-up by using a good dandruff shampoo regularly. After swimming, wash thoroughly with a deep cleansing shampoo and moisturizing conditioner that’s best for your hair type.
