.product_section .product_form { opacity: 1; } .multi_select, form .select { display: block !important; } .image-element__wrap { display: none; }

Davines SU products with an ocean background

10 Summer Hair Care Tips for Healthy, Shiny Hair

Updated on May 21, 2026 | 3 min read

Summer is one of the most challenging seasons for hair. Between UV exposure, saltwater, chlorine, and humidity, strands can quickly become dry, brittle, and difficult to manage. With a few intentional changes to your routine—and the right products—you can protect your hair from seasonal damage while maintaining softness, shine, and strength. These 10 expert-backed tips will help keep your hair looking its best all summer long.

Key Takeaways

How to Care for Your Hair this Summer

Protecting hair from UV rays and environmental stressors helps prevent dryness and color fading.
Reducing heat styling and overwashing preserves moisture and elasticity.
Hydration—both internal and external—is essential for smooth, resilient hair.
Deep conditioning and regular trims help repair and prevent seasonal damage.
Lightweight styling and protective products keep hair manageable in heat and humidity.

Why Is Summer Tough on Hair?

Summer conditions can impact the structure and appearance of your hair more than any other season. UV rays weaken the hair cuticle, salt and chlorine strip moisture, and humidity disrupts smoothness, all leading to frizz and breakage.

Without proper care, these factors can result in:

Faded colour
Split ends
Dryness and brittleness
Increased frizz and tangling

Building a summer-specific routine helps counteract these effects while keeping your hair healthy and manageable.

1. Protect Hair From UV Exposure

Just like your skin, your hair needs protection from the sun. UV rays can break down the outer layer of the hair, leaving it dry and more prone to frizz and damage.

Using a leave-in product with protective benefits, like our SU Hair Milk, helps shield strands while maintaining hydration. Wearing a hat or scarf during peak sun hours adds an extra layer of defense.

Everything your hair needs for the sunniest season

Lock in hydration, shine, and protection for your healthiest hair this summer.

Explore the SU line →

2. Limit Heat Styling

Hair is already exposed to high temperatures during summer, so frequent blow-drying or flat-ironing can increase damage. Heat weakens protein bonds in the hair, reducing strength and elasticity.

Air-drying or using heatless styling techniques allows your hair to recover while maintaining its natural texture. When heat styling is necessary, always apply a thermal protectant beforehand, like our MELU Spray.

3. Avoid Overwashing

It may feel natural to wash your hair more often in summer, but frequent shampooing can strip away essential oils that keep hair hydrated and balanced. Instead, opt for gentle, moisturizing shampoos and extend time between washes when possible. You can also refresh your hair between washes with This is an Invisible Dry Shampoo without disrupting your scalp’s natural moisture.

4. Keep Hair Hydrated

Consistent hydration is key to keeping hair soft and manageable in summer conditions. Dehydrated strands are more prone to frizz, dullness, and breakage. Drinking enough water supports overall hair health, while hydrating shampoos, conditioners, and leave-ins help maintain external moisture.

5. Get Regular Trims

Split ends can worsen quickly in the summer due to sun exposure and dryness. Regular trims help prevent breakage from traveling up the hair shaft. Maintaining a trim schedule every six to eight weeks keeps your hair looking fuller, smoother, and healthier overall. You can also learn more expert tips on how to prevent split ends for stronger-looking hair.

6. Protect Colour-Treated Hair

Colour-treated hair is especially vulnerable in the summer. Sun exposure, chlorine, and saltwater can cause fading, dullness, and tonal changes.

To maintain vibrancy:

Wear protective accessories outdoors
Rinse hair before and after swimming
Use products specifically designed to maintain coloured hair

Preserve shine and tone

Incorporating a colour-protecting mask into your routine.

Explore all colour care →

7. Use a Deep Conditioning Treatment

Daily conditioners work on the surface, but summer damage often goes deeper. Deep conditioning treatments help restore moisture, elasticity, and strength from within. Using a treatment once or twice a week can significantly improve the look and feel of dry or brittle hair. For very dry hair, increasing frequency can help speed up recovery.

8. Wear Protective Styles

Loose, low-tension styles like braids, buns, and ponytails help minimize exposure to heat and humidity while reducing breakage. Keeping hair off your neck also improves comfort and prevents excess oil and sweat from building up on the scalp.

Avoid tight styles that can create stress on already weakened strands. Instead, try some of our 13 best summer hairstyles for hair protection that adds some fun!

9. Apply a Lightweight Serum

Hair serums act as a protective barrier against humidity, pollution, and environmental stressors. They also help smooth frizz and enhance shine without weighing hair down. Applying a small amount to mid-lengths and ends can improve manageability and create a polished finish throughout the day.

10. Book a Professional Treatment

Even with a strong at-home routine, summer can still take a toll on your hair. Professional treatments offer deeper repair and hydration tailored to your hair’s needs. Visiting a salon for a conditioning or strengthening service can help restore balance and prevent long-term damage.

Find your salon →

Davines SU products laying on a beach blanket

Common Summer Hair Care Questions

How Can I Protect My Hair When Swimming?

Rinse your hair with clean water before swimming to limit absorption of chlorine or salt. Applying a leave-in conditioner beforehand can also create a protective barrier. For more tips, check out How to Protect Your Hair Against Chlorine.

What Causes Frizz in the Summer?

Humidity causes the hair cuticle to lift, allowing moisture from the air to enter the strand. This disrupts the hair’s structure, leading to frizz and uneven texture.

How Often Should I Deep Condition in Summer?

Most hair types benefit from deep conditioning once a week. If your hair is very dry or exposed to frequent sun and swimming, increasing to two times per week can help maintain hydration. Try adding our RENEWING Conditioning Treatment to your routine to promote your hair and scalp’s well-being.

Keep Your Hair Healthy All Summer Long

Summer hair care doesn’t have to be complicated. By focusing on protection, hydration, and consistency, you can prevent damage before it starts and keep your hair looking its best.

Small changes—like reducing heat styling, adding a weekly treatment, or using protective products—can make a noticeable difference in how your hair looks and feels throughout the season. With the right routine, healthy, shiny summer hair is completely within reach.

Summer-proof your hair

Level up your haircare routine this season with stylist-approved products designed to deliver salon-quality results at home.