When temperatures soar above 100°F and the monsoon season brings unexpected humidity, your hair requires special care. In this guide, we’ll share our knowledge on how to protect your locks from heat damage, harmful UV rays, and the dreaded monsoon frizz that many Arizonans experience each summer.
Understanding Summer Hair Damage
Living in Arizona exposes you to extreme heat, which can damage your hair. The combination of scorching temperatures, intense UV exposure, and the dramatic shift to humidity during monsoon season creates the perfect storm for hair damage. Here’s what happens to your hair during the summer.
Ultraviolet (UV) light and excessive heat styling break down the hair’s protein structure, weakening strands and leading to dryness, brittleness, and split ends. Color-treated hair fades faster under sun exposure, especially reds and blondes, due to pigment breakdown from UV light. Daily management becomes more intensive, requiring additional moisturizing products, UV protectants, or styling adjustments.
Humidity increases moisture in the air, disrupting the hydrogen bonds in your hair. This causes the hair shaft to absorb water and swell, disrupting the cuticle layer. Frizz is the most common issue, especially for those with wavy, curly, or textured hair, as the hair expands unevenly. Excessive moisture can lead to buildup, dandruff, or scalp irritation. Chlorine and salt water strip natural oils and cause dryness.
Essential Hair Protection
1. Shield Your Hair from UV Damage
Just as your skin needs protection from the Arizona sun, your hair requires UV defense:
- UV-protective hair products work great and create a barrier against harmful rays. We recommend Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil.
- Hair sunscreen sprays can be applied throughout the day for continuous protection, preventing color fade by shielding the hair shaft from sun damage and moisture-related oxidation.
- Wide-brimmed hats provide physical protection when spending time outdoors. 🤠
Pro Tip: We recommend refreshing your UV protection spray every 2-3 hours during peak sun exposure.
2. Hydration is Key
The dry heat quickly depletes moisture from your hair. Here is how to retain hair moisture:
- Deep conditioning treatments should be done weekly during summer months.
- Leave-in conditioners provide ongoing hydration throughout the day. We love BOB Stay + Play Leave In Conditioner.
- Overnight hair masks with ingredients like argan oil, shea butter, or avocado oil replenish moisture while you sleep.
Client Success Story: Many of our clients have transformed their summer hair by implementing a weekly deep conditioning ritual using professional-grade masks we recommend based on their specific hair type.
3. Minimize Heat Styling
Adding heat to already heat-stressed hair compounds damage:
- Heat protectant products are non-negotiable when using hot tools.
- Lower the temperature on styling tools during summer months.
- Try heatless styling methods like braiding damp hair for beachy waves.
- Embrace air-drying whenever possible.
Monsoon Season: Beating the Humidity and Frizz
When the monsoon rains arrive, the sudden humidity can transform even the sleekest styles into frizzy disasters. Here’s how to maintain control:
1. Anti-Frizz Product Arsenal
- Humidity-resistant serums seal the hair cuticle, locking in moisture and reducing porosity, which helps maintain hair health and hydration. We love BOB Shining Armor Frizz & Primer.
- Lightweight oils like argan or jojoba create a protective barrier without heaviness. Try BOB Hi Hydrating Moisturizing Oil.
- Anti-humidity spray acts as a final shield against frizz.
- Prevent color fade by shielding the hair shaft from sun damage and moisture-related oxidation.
2. Strategic Styling for Monsoon Season
- Sleek, controlled styles like low buns or braids minimize surface area exposed to humidity.
- Try lightweight gels or styling creams that provide hold without buildup, helping styles last longer even in damp conditions.
- Silk pillowcases reduce friction and help maintain styles overnight.
- Consider Keratin or smoothing treatments during monsoon season to strengthen the hair shaft and tame natural texture.
3. The Right Haircut Makes a Difference
The foundation of frizz-resistant summer hair starts with the right cut:
- Regular trims every 6–8 weeks remove damaged ends that are prone to frizz.
- Strategic layers can reduce bulk that contributes to frizz.
- Texturizing techniques can help hair lie flatter in humidity.
Pro Tip: Book your summer haircut at the beginning of the season to establish a strong foundation for your summer hair care routine.
Protecting Color-Treated Hair
Summer can be especially challenging for those with color-treated hair. Here are some tips to preserve your hair color:
- Color-protecting shampoos and conditioners contain UV filters to prevent fading. BOB True Hue Shampoo is another team favorite.
- Avoid clarifying shampoos unless absolutely necessary, as they can quickly strip color from the hair.
- Frequent shampooing strips color and natural oils; opt for dry shampoo between washes instead.
- Pre-swim treatments create a barrier between your hair and pool chemicals. Rinse hair with fresh water before swimming. This saturates the hair shaft, making it less likely to absorb chlorine or saltwater.
Color Maintenance Tip: Schedule a glossing treatment at Salon Blonde mid-summer to refresh your color and add shine that may have diminished from sun exposure.
Summer Hair Care Schedule
For optimal results, follow this weekly summer hair care routine:
- Sunday: Deep conditioning treatment. We love the results with BOB Hi Hydrating Hair Mask.
- Monday-Friday: Daily UV protection and anti-humidity products
- Wednesday: Mid-week refresher with leave-in conditioner.
- Saturday: Clarifying treatment to remove product buildup
Salon Blonde is dedicated to assisting our clients in achieving their hair goals year-round. Visit us for personalized recommendations and treatments tailored to your specific hair type and needs.