Sun, sweat, and salt water? Here’s how to help your hair thrive all season long.
Summer brings longer days, warmer weather, and plenty of time outside, but while your skin might be soaking up the sunshine, your hair is often facing a different story. UV rays, humidity, chlorine, salt water, and even changes in your routine can leave your hair dry, frizzy, or fragile if you’re not prepared.
At Pelo on Penn, we believe seasonal hair care isn’t about following trends, it’s about listening to what your hair needs as the weather shifts. And just like you’d switch out your wardrobe for summer, your hair routine deserves a few intentional adjustments too.
Here’s how to prep your hair for summer, with guidance that’s inclusive, protective, and personalized for every texture.
1. Hydration is Your Hair’s Best Friend
Hot weather + UV exposure = moisture loss. Regardless of your hair type, hydration is key to keeping strands soft, strong, and resilient.
What we recommend:
- Add a weekly deep conditioning treatment (bonus points for ingredients like aloe, honey, or coconut oil).
- Mist with a hydrating spray between washes to refresh and re-moisturize.
- Use leave in conditioner more regularly, especially on ends and color-treated areas.
For curly, coily, or textured hair, this step is especially important, these textures are naturally more prone to dryness and need moisture layering to stay balanced.
2. Protect Hair from the Sun (Yes, Really)
Just like your skin, your hair can suffer from too much sun exposure. UV rays break down the protein structure in hair, causing dryness, color fading, and brittleness.
How to protect your strands:
- Use a leave in product with built-in UV protection.
- Wear a hat, scarf, or satin-lined cap when you’ll be out for long periods.
- Apply lightweight oils to create a moisture-locking barrier before hitting the beach or pool.
At Pelo on Penn, we can recommend sun-safe products tailored to your texture and style goals, because protection shouldn’t compromise your look.
3. Rinse Before (and After) the Pool
Chlorine and salt water can be brutal on hair, especially color-treated, lightened, or naturally dry strands.
Our stylist-approved tips:
- Rinse your hair with clean water before swimming, this helps prevent it from soaking up as much chlorine or salt.
- Apply a leave-in conditioner or protective oil pre-swim for added shielding.
- Rinse again immediately after swimming, and follow with a gentle, moisturizing cleanser.
Your hair acts like a sponge, fill it with what it needs before it gets exposed to the harsh stuff.
4. Don’t Overdo the Washing
Summer sweat may have you reaching for the shampoo more often, but overwashing can strip the scalp and hair of essential oils, leading to more frizz and breakage.
Instead:
- Try co-washing (washing with conditioner) between full shampoo days.
- Use dry shampoo or scalp refresh sprays to extend time between washes.
- Keep your scalp clean, but not squeaky, balance is everything.
Need a product rec? We’ll help you build a summer friendly routine based on your lifestyle, not someone else’s algorithm.
5. Adjust Your Style (and Maintenance)
Summer’s a great time to lighten your load, literally and figuratively. Protective styles, trims, and simplified routines can help reduce stress on your strands.
Consider:
- A fresh trim to remove dry ends and prep for growth
- Low manipulation styles (like braids, buns, or twists) to preserve moisture and cut down on daily detangling
- Lightweight stylers or gels that won’t feel heavy in the heat
At Pelo on Penn, we create styles that work with your summer, not against it, whether you’re traveling, swimming, or just soaking in the sun.
6. Refresh Your Products for the Season
Your winter hair routine likely included heavier oils, creams, or protective balms. Summer often calls for lighter textures and extra protection against humidity.
Look for products that:
- Contain humectants (like glycerin or aloe) for moisture retention
- Offer heat or UV protection
- Are water based or light enough to use daily without buildup
Bring your current routine to your next appointment and ask us what might need a seasonal swap, we’re always happy to walk you through the options.
Bonus: Summer Hair Hacks from Behind the Chair
Sometimes the smallest tweaks make the biggest difference. Here are a few stylist secrets we love sharing with clients this time of year:
- Sleep in a loose braid or pineapple to reduce frizz and preserve your style overnight.
- Use a microfiber towel or t-shirt to gently dry hair after the beach or pool, it minimizes damage and helps curls stay intact.
- Stash a silk scrunchie and travel-size mist in your beach bag for quick refreshes on the go.
- Try scalp exfoliation once a week to clear buildup from sweat and sunscreen.
- Book a gloss treatment mid-summer to restore shine, tone, and vibrancy to color treated hair.
These little habits add up, especially when they’re tailored to your hair type, routine, and environment.
Let Your Hair Evolve With the Season
Your hair, like you, shifts with the seasons, and there’s power in honoring that. Summer might mean brighter color, shorter cuts, looser textures, or just a more laid back approach to styling. It’s all valid. What matters most is how your hair feels to you.
Ready for a Summer Reset?
Whether you need a hydration boost, a protective style, or just a check-in on what’s working (and what’s not), our stylists are here to help you build a summer routine that’s intentional and affirming.
Book your appointment at Pelo on Penn today, and let’s help your hair thrive all summer long.
