How to avert summertime hair damage, frizz and oily roots | Canada Voices

In the thick of hot weather, numerous elements can conspire to make a good hair day harder to come by. “We know that the summer sun is strong for our skin, but we tend to forget how much the sun’s rays can impact our hair and scalp,” says Diana Osborne, a Toronto-based hairstylist and the founder of Hair Holistic, a salon, shop and educational platform dedicated to hair health. Just as UVA and UVB can break down collagen and elastin in skin, ultraviolet exposure can start to break down the outer layer of your hair. “This can make strands drier, weaker and prone to breakage,” she says. “Finer hair tends to be more at risk of this than coarser hair textures.”

Steamy days can bring another challenge to the forefront. “Humidity can cause hair to frizz up due to the water droplets in the air that make the hair lose its shape,” explains Jason Lee, hairstylist and owner of Jason Lee Salon in Toronto. “Whether your hair is curly, wavy or even straight, it becomes harder to control.” Heightened humidity can also increase sweating, which can cause roots to become oilier faster, notes Osborne. And while cooling off in a lake or a pool is welcome relief for the body, water can create another hair hurdle. “When your hair is wet more often, and for longer, it can become more fragile,” says Osborne.

Lastly, if you dye your hair, the sun can also tamper with its tone. “Hair colouring going brassy, or changing, is probably the next biggest issue people have in the summer,” says Lee. In blondes, brassiness appears as more yellowy, while brunettes stray orange. “The UV rays from the sun can disrupt your cuticle all the way down to the protein in the hair, ultimately bleaching out your hair colour,” he says.

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Bond-building treatments are growing in popularity and can help your hair avert summertime blahs. “Most people know that hair is made up primarily of keratin protein, but they may not know those proteins are held together by disulphide bonds,” says Osborne. “When hair is damaged by bleaching, colouring, perming or hot tools, it can break these bonds, causing weakness in the hair shaft. Bond builders work to help repair them.” These formulas contain compound ingredients, such as bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, along with proteins and amino acids that help reinforce weak spots and replenish strength.

Want to overcome frizz? The secret is adding more moisture. “Hydrate hair with moisturizing creams, treatments and oils,” says Lee. Choosing the right styler and applying an ample amount to towel-dried hair will also lead to better results on hot days. For long-lasting smoothness with a glassy finish, his go-to is Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray. “It’s amazing for frizz, but you need to load it up in the hair for it to really perform at its best.” To manage his own permed tresses, Lee chooses a rich curl cream that provides stronger hold in the heat.

If the temps are making your roots feel greasier than usual, Osborne suggests switching out a hydrating shampoo for a gently cleansing formula. Her best hack is to use a dry shampoo spray or powder right after washing once hair is dry – don’t wait until your hair is already oily. “It will pre-emptively soak up oils as they appear, helping with your style longevity,” she says. “And if you need to, move up your wash day. As long as you’re using a high-quality shampoo, washing your hair is good for it and your scalp.”

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