Summer is upon us, and we all know what that means for our hair. Botswana’s extreme heat and humidity can lead to dryness and frizz without proper care. Of course, you should support hair health from within by drinking plenty of water and eating a nutrient-rich diet to promote healthy hair growth. But there’s more you can do to maintain a healthy scalp and gorgeous tresses.
We sat down with our hair guru, Ben David, owner of Hair Essentials (no introduction required!), for guidance on hair care and products. His top tips will ensure you have amazing, healthy hair all summer long.
Top 10 tips for your summer haircare
- Choose new hairstyles carefully – We go out more in the summer and want to show off our favourite hairstyles. People tend to experiment more with vibrant hair colours and haircuts. In choosing a new hairstyle, be sure to consult with your stylist. Before settling on a new hairstyle, consider whether you visit the gym often, if you swim regularly, and if you can easily maintain your new hairstyle.
- People love to change their hair colour in the summer. Here’s what you need to know before you do:
- If you have relaxed hair, opt for semi-permanent colours, which are usually ammonia-free.
- Stay well clear of bleach because your relaxed hair will only become drier, more brittle and more prone to breaking.
3. Protect your hair from harmful UV rays – we often think our skin is the only part of our body that needs shielding against the elements. But our hair and scalps also need a bit of tlc. Look out for products designed for exactly this purpose on the market, including Schwarzkopf Colour Freeze Spray Conditioner. Otherwise, wear a hat or scarf to protect your hair from harsh sun and heat when outdoors.
4. Wash your hair weekly to remove sweat and product buildup but use a sulfate-free, moisturising shampoo to avoid stripping your hair of essential oils. We sweat more in the summer. As our sebaceous glands secrete more oils, our hair becomes greasier, so you will need to wash your hair more often during warmer months. Because the scalp has a buildup of oils, sweat, sebum, and dust, bacteria can grow and thrive. We apply oils to the scalp as it gets dry. In hot, humid climates such as ours in Botswana, the scalp tends to heat up.
These conditions may lead to a vicious cycle of acidic bacteria affecting the hair shaft, the growth of more bacteria and bad odours. Worse still, an unhealthy scalp can lead to dandruff, psoriasis and hair loss. To guard against all this, you need to promote a healthy scalp and hair growth. So at the very least, aim to wash your hair once a week.
Top tip! For summer haircare on relaxed black hair in a hot climate, prioritise moisture by deep conditioning weekly. Use sulfate-free, moisturizing shampoos, and apply a leave-in conditioner and light oil to seal in moisture to keep frizz at bay.
Mizani press agent shampoo does a fantastic job of cleaning your hair and scalp gently without stripping it of vital hair oils. Pair the shampoo with the Mizani press agent conditioner, as the two were formulated to work seamlessly together for the best results.
- If you’re a swimmer, you might want to consider going for permanent curls for a wash and go. There are now much better and improved perming products on the market. Rinse After Swimming: If you swim in a pool, rinse your hair immediately to wash out chlorine, which can be damaging.
Top Tip! Pre-Swim Prep: Wet your hair before getting into the water to help it absorb less chlorine.
5. Bald or shaven-headed men: Remember that your bare scalp is exposed to the elements. Some men use hair removers that dissolve hair, which make your scalp even more sensitive to UV rays and could also be carcinogenic. Specialised products men can use to protect their exposed scalps, including Mizani scalp care, shield without leaving a greasy residue.
6. Give your hair some tlc – during the summer, black hair needs moisture-boosting treatments while Caucasian hair thrives on strengthening treatments, both of which Hair Essentials offers. If you prefer to do it yourself, you can also buy Schwarzkopf Moisture Kick, Mizani Hydra Fuse, or Moisture Fusion.
7. Plaiting your hair might be protective, but it can potentially be detrimental. Of course, this will depend mainly on your stylist and how the style is done. Before doing your plaits, introduce moisture to it by doing a hair treatment before and after you take out your plaits. Also, keep styles for no more than FOUR weeks. Moisture gives afro hair elasticity, ensuring it doesn’t break. Always remember, afro hair is protein-heavy but lacks moisture.
8. Avoid overheating your hair when blow-drying it. Also, aim to use heat protectant products to guard against heat damage.
9. Protect your ends. Having regular trims to prevent and remove split ends is crucial for healthy hair growth. Regular trims prevent damage from travelling up the hair shaft, allowing the hair to retain its length and appear fuller and stronger. This practice maintains the hair’s overall health and appearance, leading to visible length over time without affecting the hair’s actual growth rate.
10. Wrap your hair and use a silk bonnet or scarf before going to bed. Wrapping your hair keeps it nice and frizz-free, and silk gives your hair a silky texture because it helps retain your hair’s natural oils.
*All haircare products mentioned in the article are available at Hair Essentials, where you can enquire further about prices.
Written by YourBotswana Writer
Words: Ben David @Hair Essentials
