Summer is all about enjoying the warm weather, lazy pool days, and beach trips galore, but seasonal activities can wreak havoc on your hair health. Heat, humidity, chlorine, and sun exposure can lead to frizz, dryness, and damage, making it harder to keep your strands looking their best.
The good news is, we spoke to hair expert and founder of Laced Hair, Lacy Gadegaard-West, who shared tips for maintaining your hair during the hot summer months. With just a few tweaks to your hair care routine, your strands will be smooth and healthy, without having to compromise on style. Here are her expert tips for beating frizz and maintaining your gorgeous locks all summer long.
Always use SPF on your hair
We know that applying sunscreen to our face and body is a must, especially in the summer, but according to Lacy Gadegaard-West, your hair shouldn’t be neglected as well, especially if you’re over 40. However, you can’t just spray regular sunscreen on your strands.
“Most mineral sunscreens marketed for skin contain avobenzone and octocrylene, two ingredients that can turn blonde hair pink or orange and damage color-treated hair over time. Look for a sunscreen specifically formulated without those ingredients,” she exclusively told Parenthood Together.
Lacy added, “Our LHC Invisible Broad Spectrum Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 was designed specifically for this problem because I saw too many clients with beautiful color leaving the salon and coming back damaged from regular SPF.”
After applying SPF to your hair, Lacy advises using hair oil before stepping out in the sun and wearing a hat for added protection. In addition, hydrate your strands from the inside by drinking more water, and wet your hair before jumping in the pool. “Hair acts like a sponge, so if it is already full of clean water, it absorbs less chlorine or salt water,” she shared.
How to fight frizz in the heat
With the heat and humidity in the summer, frizzy hair happens to the best of us. Aside from getting a blowout or using a straightener, which can damage the cuticle, Lacy Gadegaard-West shared tips on how to keep your strands smooth.
“Frizz is really just thirsty hair trying to grab moisture from the air. The solution is not to fight the humidity; it is to give your hair so much hydration that it does not need to reach for more,” she exclusively told Parenthood Together.
Using a deep conditioning mask every week, like the LHC Conditioning Masque, will do your hair some good. “It’s formulated with Vitamin C and olive-derived squalane that infuses moisture into the cortex of the hair shaft, not just the surface. That is the difference between a masque that works for a few hours and one that holds through humidity,” Lacy stated.
Apply a hair oil, such as the LHC Hydrating Oil, while your strands are damp to create a barrier against humidity, our expert advised. You’ll also want to avoid products containing alcohol, as they’re very drying, and be sure to sleep with a silk or satin pillowcase.
Wash your hair gently during the summer months
Many of us wash our hair more often in the summer, and while that’s perfectly fine, Lacy Gadegaard-West told Parenthood Together how to do so without damaging our locks.
“Use a sulfate-free, gentle cleansing shampoo. Sulfates strip natural oils that your scalp is working hard to produce,” she said. The hair expert added, “Skip the daily shampoo, but rinse and condition. A water rinse with a light conditioner every day refreshes the scalp without over-cleansing.” Using cold water is ideal for closing the cuticle, and Lacy recommended air-drying your hair instead of reaching for any heat tools.
Additionally, use a scalp serum to support healthy hair growth. Lacy has a water-based one that you can apply and leave without rinsing, which is particularly great for women 40+. “Hormones over 40 change everything. If you notice more shedding, more dryness, or texture changes after 40, that is normal and addressable. Scalp serums, internal hydration, and a switch to gentler cleansers all help,” Lacy shared.
Easy summer hairstyles for long & short hair
Summer isn’t the time for fussy hairstyles, especially if you’re a mom on the go. That doesn’t mean you have to walk out the door with unkempt hair. Lacy Gadegaard-West shared several options for all lengths that are super easy and low-maintenance.
If you have long hair, she suggested making two French braids with damp hair before bedtime, and you’ll wake up with gorgeous mermaid waves without any heat damage.
Another option is a slicked-back pony. “A little oil, a clean ponytail at the nape, done. Polished without trying,” Lacy told us. The half-up claw clip is also an easy summertime ‘do. “Easy, off your face, and impossibly chic. The ’90s came back for a reason,” our expert shared.
For those with short hair, a bedhead bob is a great summer style. As Lacy explained, use texturizing spray and scrunch your hair while it’s air-drying.
Accessories make all the difference in less than five seconds. A silk scarf tied as a headband or a beaded clip can transform any look. And, don’t forget about the wet look. “Apply gel or hair oil, comb back, and let it dry. Goes with everything from a swimsuit to a dress,” Lacy said.
Extra tips to keep your hair healthy all summer long
According to Lacy Gadegaard-West, hair can grow faster in the summer. “Sun exposure can actually stimulate growth (think extra Vitamin D, more circulation from the warmth), but it also stresses the cuticle. So you may notice faster growth AND more damage at the same time. The fix is balancing growth support (scalp care) with damage prevention (hydration and protection),” she exclusively told Parenthood Together.
Lacy continued, “Extensions need their own summer care. If you wear extensions like I do (and like so many of my clients do), summer is when they suffer most. Salt water, chlorine, and SPF residue all build up. Use a clarifying treatment monthly to keep extensions soft and color-true.”
Having healthy hair starts with scalp care, which needs protection from the sun, just like your face. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your part!
And finally, if you’re traveling, you may notice a change in your strands. Lacy told us, “Hard water at hotels can leave your hair dull and brittle. Pack a shower filter or a clarifying shampoo if you are going somewhere with a different water profile.”
