With summer at its peak, the heat is officially on, and taking good care of our hair and skin to protect them from damaging rays is more important than ever.
But, for men in particular, it’s not just heat protection you need to look out for, humidity, air conditioning and pool and ocean water can mean a lot to contend with when it comes to your mane. Shorter hair can be prone to going limp, flat or greasy if not properly looked after according to the season, so it’s vital you tweak your regime for the weather to avoid any kind of follicular failure.
At times like these, a quick shampoo and a towel dry just won’t cut it, and a little more care and attention is required to keep your hair in tip top condition. If you’re unsure where to get started, then look no further – because we’ve pulled together the ultimate summer haircare guide for men to ensure you remain looking your best.
Get a summer-ready cut
The best way to lay the foundations for success is with a summer-ready haircut. There’s only so much a great selection of products can do to keep your mane under control, so start as you mean to go on with a quick trip to your hairdresser or barber – and take full advantage of the luxury treatment while you’re there.
Opt for a style that is easy to maintain and that will be able to withstand heat and humidity without too much trouble – which in a nutshell, means keeping it short and sweet. If you’re still planning on holidaying this year and will be submerging yourself in the swimming pool or taking a dip in the ocean, then a shorter style will be much easier to rinse clean of any damaging chlorine or salt water, too – so when it comes to the warmer weather, it’s a win-win.
Go high and tight or choose a taper fade to keep sweat to a minimum and make styling a cinch. You’ll maintain that sharp look you love and sail though the season with ease with either.
UV protection
With shorter styles come a more exposed scalp, so keeping yours well-protected from the sun’s rays is going to be more important than ever. If you’ve gone for a grade one or two, you’ll need to apply sunscreen to the entire head to prevent burning. If your hair is a little longer, be sure to apply to any exposed areas and use a heat protection spray on your hair, too. Spray forms are the most effective and will cover both your strands and your scalp.
P20 Sun Oil is another good choice, and can be easily applied to provide protection for both in one go.
Lock in moisture
Drinking water isn’t only important for your body, but for your hair, too. Up to thirteen per cent of hair is made up of water, so it’s vital to stay hydrated, inside and out.
If you don’t already include a conditioner in your hair-washing routine, then now is the time to incorporate one. Look for a light-weight formula that won’t weigh the hair down and be sure to rinse thoroughly to avoid leaving any residue behind. Doing so can leave hair looking limp, lank and greasy – not the desired effect at all.
If your hair is particularly dry, then you may benefit from applying a weekly masque. Applying a drop or two of coconut oil to dry ends can also work wonders.
Nip hair loss in the bud
Early onset hair loss can be an upsetting experience for any man, and shorter summer haircuts can make this particularly apparent, often drawing more attention to bald patches. Thankfully, there are a plethora of effective treatments on the market today that can help to keep hair loss at bay, and in some cases, even restore some of the locks you have already lost.
Look for a hair loss treatment containing finasteride – one of two FDA approved medications. This can be taken orally in tablet form, or in a liquid solution form.
Keep up the colour
Coloured hair can be particularly vulnerable to the sun’s harmful UV rays, so additional heat protection is especially important here. Opt for a formula designed specifically for colour treated hair, as this will help to prevent that dreaded fade.
To avoid brassiness, look for a spray or an oil combining UV protectors and vitamins A, C and E to prevent future damage. If you’re blonde, then a purple or silver shampoo can help to knock out any unwanted warmth, year-round.
With a few simple tweaks to your haircare routine, there is no reason it can’t remain your best feature, whatever the season. Maintaining hair health and a sharp look throughout the summer is totally do-able, but as with everything in life, prevention is always better than cure.
