Summer for many of us means having fun on the beach, attending open-air parties and spending too much time in swimming pools, all of which can lead to overexposure to the sun's rays, sweat and humidity. This makes summer a tough time for hair, which can become frizzy, dry and weathered by the sun and hot winds. To improve the appearance of your hair and make it look shiny and thick all summer long, dermatologists recommend following a healthy diet and using all-natural, homemade, conditioners. You should also let go of perfect, sleek hairdos and embrace the loose, natural look. Among the dozens of techniques out there, these are the best tips for making your hair look fabulous: - Use a scarf or hat to cover your head when you're in the sun. This provides extra UV protection, helps your scalp retain moisture and protects colour-treated hair. - Put your hair up in loose, comfortable styles. A messy ponytail is ideal for keeping your hair under control and minimising exposure to the sun. - Bring along a spray bottle filled with a mixture of water, aloe vera juice and avocado oil, or just high-quality water. Whenever a bit of moisture is needed, spritz and rub your scalp. This will prevent excess dryness and keep it moist. - However tempting it may be, washing your hair every day is not an option. Frequent washing strips your scalp of its natural oils. Try just rinsing in the shower after a day at the beach or pool. You can use a homemade or natural dry shampoo. You can also dab a cotton ball soaked in witch hazel on your scalp to dissolve excess oil. - Try to blow-dry your hair as little as possible and go natural if you can. Also avoid flat-irons, as they will cause further damage to already dry hair. - Rinse with apple-cider vinegar diluted with water for a quick natural conditioner. Use some coconut oil to smooth, de-frizz and moisturise your locks after washing. - Add some sunscreen. Run your hands lightly through your hair after applying sunscreen to your body. - Try a hot-oil rinse. Coconut, olive and avocado oils are good at penetrating the hair shaft. Shampoo the hair as usual and then work in the oil from the ends to the roots. Rinse, then condition as usual. Your hair should feel moisturised afterwards, but not greasy. - Don't try doing too much to your natural hair this summer. Leave your hair alone for a while and let it do what it does. At the end of the day, apply a high-quality, leave-in treatment to your sun-scorched hair. This will help reduce the frizz while making things up top much more manageable, shiny and soft. - Chop off the split ends of your hair. In fact, cutting your hair actually stimulates more growth by sending the entire lock into shock. Remember, a good haircut can still make your hair look and feel healthier than ever. - Follow a healthy diet that includes plenty of natural meat, fish and dairy products. - Reducing the amount of carbohydrates (especially wheat and other gluten-containing grains) will improve scalp disorders like seborrhoea and dandruff. - Make homemade conditioners part of your weekly routine to nourish, strengthen and rejuvenate your hair. Apply your favourite freshly-made conditioner, massage into the scalp, let it stay for 30-40 minutes and then rinse with warm camomile water and a mild shampoo.
