Should You Wash Your Hair Every Day in the Summer?

Should you wash your hair every day in the summer? Continue reading to find everything you need to know about washing and protecting your hair during your next holiday.

It’s summertime, and we are absolutely living for it! However, with the long days of sunshine, beach trips, and outdoor adventures come new challenges when it comes to hair care. 

As the temperatures rise, many us find ourselves sweating more; add to that the chlorine from swimming pools, the saltwater from the sea, and the strong UV rays which can have a damaging effect on the hair, and the mix that may lead to a hair disaster is complete.

All of these factors lead to a very common dilemma: should you wash your hair every day in the summer? We already know that washing your hair every day is not a great practice because it can dry it out, but do things change in the summer?

In this article, we will help you figure out if you should wash your hair every day in the summer, and we will give you some of our best tips on how to take care of your precious mane when the sun comes out. So, without further ado, let’s dive right into it:

Should I wash my hair every day in the summer?

If you are here for the short answer, here it is:

Ideally, you should avoid washing your hair every day in the summer. Frequent washing may strip the natural oils of your hair, making it dry and frizzy. In the cases where you go to the beach every day and wet your hair with saltwater, it is recommended to rinse it thoroughly with fresh water to remove salt and prevent any potential drying or damage.

You don’t need to wash your hair with shampoo every day, but you should consider using a conditioner or a moisturizing spray to keep it hydrated and minimize potential damaging effects from saltwater.

As a general advice, it’s important to keep in mind that the frequency of washing will depend on the hair type, scalp condition, and lifestyle. For example, oily hair may benefit from more frequent washing, while dry or curly hair can go longer between washes.

For this reason, it’s always good to experiment with washing frequency to find the perfect routine for your hair. This means that, whether you are going on a summer holiday or a winter holiday, you will always know how to take the right care of it under any circumstances.

How does summer heat affect hair?

Now that you know the short answer to the question "Should I wash my hair every day in the summer?", it's time to dive a little bit deeper, and get a better understanding of exactly how summer heat and other environmental factors affect your hair. 

While the sun is a great source of the much-needed vitamin D, frequent exposure, especially during peak hours - between 10 am and 4 pm - can be extremely damaging for both your skin and your beautiful mane. Let's take a look at the ways in which summer heat can affect hair:

• Dryness -  excessive exposure to the sun's harmful UV rays, combined with high temperatures and wind, can dry out the hair out of its natural moisture. The heat evaporates moisture from your hair strands, making them more prone to becoming dry, brittle, dull and frizzy. 
• Increased oil production - interestingly enough, the summer heat may impact people differently - while some people experience dryness as a result of high temperatures and direct UV exposure, other people may notice an increase in oil production during the summer. Heat stimulates the sebaceous glands on the scalp, causing it to produce more oil, and leaving your hair looking greasier.
• Fading of hair color - if you have color-treated hair, the summer heat can also have another negative effect - causing your hair color to fade faster. The ultraviolet radiation from the sun breaks down the pigments in your hair strands, making them lose vibrancy and appearing duller.
• Frizz and humidity - quite often, another thing that happens during the summer are high humidity levels, which may be particularly impactful for those with naturally curly or frizz-prone hair. The excess moisture in the air causes the hair to absorb it, resulting in frizz, unruliness, and loss of definition in the curls.
• Scalp issues - summer heat also means a lot of sweating! Unfortunately, this may lead to a buildup of sweat and dirt on the scalp, potentially causing scalp issues including dandruff and itchiness. In some cases, it may even lead to fungal infections if the symptoms haven't been addressed properly. 
• Heat damage - while we normally associate heat damage with thermal hair styling tools, the sun may also be a culprit to hair damage. Excessive exposure to the powerful sun's rays without proper protection can lead to heat damage, making the hair dry and brittle, and weakening the hair structure. For this reason, it's recommended to use thermal heat protectant to protect your hair from the summer heat. But more on that later!

To protect your hair from the effects of summer heat, it's important to follow a few preventive measures, which will cover in the next sections of the article, so stay tuned for those!

How do saltwater and chlorine in swimming pools affect hair?

Chlorine in swimming pools and saltwater from the sea can also have a negative impact on your beautiful hair. So, if you are enjoying your summer holiday at the beach or the swimming pool, you should be aware of the following negative effects if you are not taking the right measures:

Dryness and damage

Both chlorine and saltwater can act harshly on your hair, stripping it away from its natural oils and leaving it dry and more susceptible to damage. Chlorine, in particular, can have a strong drying effects - keep in mind that it's used as a disinfectant in swimming pools, so it has to be strong. 

Saltwater, although less harsh than chlorine, can still contribute to dryness and roughness. So, it's important to rinse your hair thoroughly with fresh water after swimming to ensure that you are keeping it clean from these elements.

Fading and discoloration

Just like exposure to heat and the sun's harmful UV rays, chlorine can cause color-treated hair to fade or change its hue and look paler. Essentially, what happens is that it creates a chemical reaction with the pigments in your hair, resulting in a lighter or greenish tint, especially in blonde or light-colored hair.

Frizziness

Another effect of chlorine and saltwater is that it may cause your hair to become frizzy, rough, and tangled. The chemicals in chlorinated water can disrupt the cuticles of the hair, leading to an uneven surface and increased friction. 

Saltwater, due to its high salt content, can have a similar effect on the hair, although not as harsh. To prevent frizziness, it's recommended to use a deeply hydrating shampoo and conditioner such as the NuMe Vegan Tourmaline Hair Care Set.

Weakened Hair Structure

Prolonged exposure to chlorine and saltwater can weaken the hair's structure, making it more prone to breakage and split ends. This is especially true for individuals with already damaged or porous hair.

Tips to protect your hair in the summer

While we all love summer, as we just mentioned, there are some potential negative effects of not taking proper care of your hair. Here are our top tips on how to take care of it so you can have a wonderful holiday:

• Wet your hair - before swimming, wet your hair with fresh water, or apply a leave-in conditioner like NuMe Sleeky in a Bottle. This will help to create a barrier and reduce the absorption of chlorine or saltwater.
• Wear a swim cap - on top of creating a protective barrier between your hair and the water, a swim cap will also reduce exposure to chlorine and saltwater, and will reduce the need to wash your hair every day.
• Rinse after swimming - once you are done swimming, rinse your hair immediately and thoroughly with fresh water to remove any residual chlorine or salt from it. 
• Condition and moisturize - to replenish moisture and nourish your hair, you can use a hair mask or a deeply hydrating conditioner after swimming - the NuMe Hair Care Products are vegan, cruelty-free and free of parabens and harsh chemicals.
• Stay Hydrated - drinking plenty of water not only benefits your overall health, but also helps maintain hydration in your hair. Stay well-hydrated to promote healthy hair growth and prevent dryness, and don't forget that eating hair-friendly foods is also key for a beautiful mane.
• Use UV protection - protecting your skin against the harmful UV rays is important, but so is protecting your hair. Use a thermal heat protectant such as NuMe Watch me Werk to shield your hair from the ultraviolet rays and the negative effects of the heat.

By taking these steps, you can minimize the negative impact of chlorine and saltwater on your hair, helping to keep it healthy and vibrant throughout the summer season.

So, now that you know that the answer to the question "Should you wash your hair every day in the summer"?, let's answer some additional commonly asked questions:

FAQ

How often should I wash my hair during the summer?

The frequency of washing your hair during the summer depends on your hair type, scalp condition, and lifestyle. Generally, washing every 2-3 days is suitable for most people to maintain a balance between removing sweat, dirt, and excess oil while preserving the hair's natural moisture.

Adjust based on your individual needs and observe how your hair and scalp respond to find the ideal washing routine.

How can I keep my hair healthy in the summer?

To keep your hair healthy in the summer, protect it from the sun with hats or UV-protective products, moisturize regularly with hydrating shampoos and conditioners, minimize heat styling, avoid excessive chlorine or saltwater exposure, and maintain a balanced diet for overall hair health.

Can summer heat damage hair?

Yes, summer heat can damage hair. High temperatures, UV rays, and exposure to elements can cause dryness, frizz, and color fading. Protect your hair with hats, UV-protective products, and moisturizing treatments. Minimize heat styling and stay hydrated to maintain healthy, resilient hair.