Your gorgeous grey hair is ready to shine as summer approaches, but oh no, so are the humidity, frizz, and sun.
Yes, the sun may try to dry out your silvery hair, and it may get a little wild (hello, puffball vibes).
I basically try to stay indoors during the summer, but if you are someone who needs to step out every day this post is for you!
You don’t have to cover up that amazing hair! While you’re out having the time of your life, there are a few simple ways to keep your grey hair looking bright, cool, and uniquely you. Let’s get started!
“This page contains affiliate links. If you click one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission. No additional charges for you!”
Summertime Gray Hair Maintenance:
Summertime care for natural gray hair must give hydration, UV protection, and avoidance of brassiness (yellowing) top priority since gray hair is more porous, prone to dryness, and vulnerable to environmental damage.
This tailored summertime routine will keep your gray hair soft, vivid, and shiny. So let’s dive in!
#1 Sun Visibility and UV Damage:
Thanks to less natural pigment, grey hair soaks up sunlight far faster than other colours. This can dry it out, cause it to become brittle or even turn yellowish. Not nice!
Furthermore, weakening the integrity of hair due to the UV breakdown of keratin, the hair’s structural protein, results in reduced elasticity, brittleness, and split ends.
Additionally, more porous, chemically treated (straightened or permed) hair absorbs more UV light, exacerbating damage.
Neither is your scalp safe. Erythema, or sunburn, brought on by UVB results in scalp inflammation, pain, peeling, and itching. Long-term exposure speeds photoaging.
Fix it:
Physical Barriers:
1. When in the Sun, cover gray hair with UV-protective scarves or wraps made from lightweight, UV-blocking fabrics, such as polyester or nylon.
2. To protect scalp and hair, choose UPF-rated caps with a 3+ inch brim.
3. Umbrellas: Choose UV-reflective umbrellas for longer outside events.
UV-Protected Hair Products:
1. Apply leave-in treatments, including UV-protected sprays or serums containing benzophenone-4, octyl, or methoxycinnamate, to protect your gray hair from the sun’s harmful effects.
2. Look for formulations that include hydrolysed proteins (e.g., keratin) and antioxidants (such as vitamin E and green tea) to protect and heal your hair.
3. Before blow-drying or heat styling, use creams or sprays including UV filters.
4. Use coconut oil, argan oil, or jojoba oil to lock in moisture and form a barrier against UV light.
Scalp Guard:
Apply mineral-based SPF (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) to bald patches or hair part lines of exposed areas. Retouch every two hours.
Aloe vera or cucumber-based mists calm sun-exposed scalps and lower inflammation.
Specific Considerations:
1. Avoid Peak UV Hours. Between 10 AM and 4 PM, limit sun exposure during the strongest UV rays.
2. Excess sweating clogs hair follicles by mixing dirt, sunscreen, and sebum. Scalp inflammation, dandruff, and hair thinning can follow as a result.
3. After a lot of sweating, rinse your hair, and once a week, use a clarifying shampoo to get the buildup out.
4. Drink plenty of water.
#2 Yellowing or Brassiness of Gray Hair:
Grey hair lacks melanin, the pigment that gives it colour and natural UV protection. This results in yellowing or brassiness during the summer.
Without melanin, keratin breaks down more readily under UV radiation.
Sulfur-containing amino acids (such as cysteine) thus oxidize and generate yellow compounds.
It also raises the hair cuticle, thereby boosting porosity. This lets minerals (e.g., copper, iron) and environmental toxins (e.g., smoke, smog) pass through the hair shaft and color grey hair yellow.
Metals, either in pollution or hard water, bind to hair proteins. Yellowish byproducts result from UV light accelerating reactions between these metals and keratin.
UV light can oxidise natural oils and scalp sebum, creating a yellowish residue that adheres to porous grey hair.
Related Post: ACV: A Miraculous Rinse for Gray Hair
Fix it:
1. UV-Protective Hair Products: Use leave-in conditioners or sprays with UV filters (benzophenone-4, octisalate) to block radiation.
2. Purple/Blue Shampoos: Neutralize yellow tones with violet pigments that counteract brassiness.
3. Chelating Shampoos: Remove mineral buildup from hard water or chlorine (e.g., EDTA-based formulas).
Related Post: Grey Hair Friendly Shampoos
#3 How Summer Grey Hair Is Affected by Pool Water:
Gray hair should be protected while swimming in summer since saltwater (in oceans) and chlorine (in pools) can dry out hair and cause brassiness, or yellowing, and make hair brittle.
Here is how pool water affects gray hair and preventative measures:
1. Chlorine strips natural oils, leaving grey hair dry, brittle, and prone to breakage.
2. Oxidizes hair proteins and minerals (e.g., copper) in water to produce yellowing or greenish tints.
3. Pool water’s alkalinity lifts the hair cuticle, increasing porosity and facilitating more chemical penetration.
4. Mineral Buildup: Copper and iron bind to porous grey hair to produce dull or brassy tones.
5. Sun Synergy: UV rays aggravate chlorine damage, so accelerating dryness and colour changes.
Fix it:
Pre-swim safety measures:
1. Wet Hair Before swimming, thoroughly rinse your hair under fresh water. Wet hair absorbs less saltwater and chlorine.
2. Massage coconut oil, argan oil, or jojoba oil into your hair, focusing on the ends. Apply a protective barrier of natural oil, as these oils help block the effects of salt and chlorine.
3. To lock in moisture, use a silicone-free, moisturising leave-in conditioner, like Olaplex No. 8.
4. A silicone or latex swim cap reduces direct interaction with pool or ocean water. For additional defence, apply conditioner under the cap.
5. Shield hair from damage by using a pre-swim spray or a chlorine-neutralising spray (such as UltraSwim Pre-Swim Hair Defence).
Post-swim care:
1. Within 5 to 10 minutes of swimming, rinse hair with cool, fresh water to eliminate chlorine or salt.
2. Remove chlorine, metals, and mineral accumulation using a chelating or clarifying shampoo (such as Malibu C Swimmers Wellness Shampoo).
3. If your hair is dry, avoid sulfates and choose a clarifying shampoo free of sulfides.
4. To restore moisture, use a hydrating mask (such as Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair!). Gray hair loses water fast and is porous.
Once a week, use a purple shampoo or conditioner (such Fanola No Yellow) to balance yellow tones brought on by chlorine or sun.
Additional Solutions:
DIY Rinses:
1. Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse: Mix 1 tbsp ACV + 2 cups water. Rinse hair post-swim to remove residue and restore pH balance.
2. Vitamin C Spray: Crush vitamin C tablets, mix with water, and spray on hair to neutralise chlorine.
Hydrate Overnight: Apply a hair serum or oil (e.g., Ouai Hair Oil) before bed to replenish moisture.
Trim Regularly: Schedule trims every 6–8 weeks to eliminate split ends exacerbated by summer damage.
Gray hair specific advice for summer:
1. Avoid using heavy products in the summer; humidity and thick creams can result in greasy hair. Stay with light formulas.
2. To preserve good ends, plan a trim every six to eight weeks.
3 . Once a month, use apple cider vinegar diluted in water (1:3 ratio) to clear buildup and increase shine.
4. Reduce friction and frizz by using silk or satin pillowcases.
5. Pineapple Bun or Loose Braid: avoids tangling while you sleep.
6. Drink water to keep your hair moisturised.
7. Omega-3s: For a healthy shine, incorporate walnuts, chia seeds, or fatty fish into your diet.
8. Berries, spinach, and nuts help combat oxidative stress caused by UV radiation.
9. Air-Dry When Possible: Avoid using flat irons and blow dryers to prevent dryness.
10. Heat Protectant: If styling, apply a thermal spray, like Chi 44 Iron Guard.
11. Wide-Tooth Comb: To prevent breaking, gently detangle damp hair.
12. Finish showers with a cool water rinse to flatten cuticles and increase shine.
Hope it helps!
If you find this post helpful, please share it!! Also, I would love to know about your favourite shampoo. How has your experience been so far?