TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Curly Hair and Climate
   
2. Hydrate Your Curls in Summer
   
3. Maintaining Moisture in Curly Hair
   
4. Conclusion
5. FAQs

Curly Hair and Climate

Curly hair is extremely beautiful and unique, no two heads of curly hair are the same. When nurturing your natural curls one external factor that can greatly impact your styling results and overall hair health is the climate and the change in seasons.

A change in season typically equates to varying temperatures, humidity levels, and dew points, all of which can impact the appearance and health of curly hair textures.

Whilst it may sound overwhelming, making small tweaks to your curly hair routine in and out of seasons is key to maintaining healthy curls. In this blog post we explain how seasonal changes can impact your natural curls and recommend tweaks that can be  made to your routine to ensure your curls still thrive.

How Different Seasons Impact Hair Health

• Summer

The high humidity during summer can contribute to frizz, while exposure to the sun can lead to hair dryness and damage. 
Tips: Consider using UV protection products, protective styles, and regular hydration - both inside and out, opt for water-based, lighter products to smooth the hair cuticle and a strong hold gel to keep flyaways at bay. 

• Spring and Fall

Fall and spring often entail a combination of dryness and a low degree of humidity which puts moisture balance into focus. 

Tips: Ensure you are deep conditioning regularly to provide your curls with a longer lasting dose of moisture. For low porosity curls, be sure to incorporate heat into your routine this allows for the cuticles to lift and open up, this enables better penetration of moisture in the hair shaft.

Do not be afraid of oils, light sealing oils such as Andiroba and Pracaxi oils will help in limiting how quick moisture escapes from the hair shaft. The aim for curly hair in drier climates is maximum moisture retention and momentum.

• Winter

Indoor heating and dry air can zap moisture from curls leading to brittleness and dryness which often results in breakage if not managed appropriately. 

Tips: Similar to fall, your wash day routine should focus on rehydrating and moisturising whilst balancing with strengthening agents to promote breakage resistant curls.

Ensure you are utilising a sulfate free cleanser which is moisturising and not stripping, opt for moisture - protein balanced conditioning treatments to build back what your curls needs most to retain good elasticity - protein.

Seasonal Hair Care

As the seasons change, so do your curls needs. This is why a one size fits all approach to hair care and curl care, more specifically doesn’t work. Each season generates a new need for your curls, knowing how to adapt your curly hair routine through seasons is crucial for healthy, flourishing curls.

Dew Points and Curly Hair

Dew points can influence the behavior of curly hair textures under various weather conditions. The dew point is the temperature at which air must cool in order for it to be thoroughly saturated with moisture in the form of water vapour, both low and high dew can present more challenges for curly hair types, however mastering the techniques by adapting your hair care routine can make things significantly easier.

Dew Points and Moisture

Low Dew Points: Typically, dew points occur in the colder months. The lack of moisture due to dry air can make curls brittle and susceptible to breakage. 

High Dew Points: When the dew point is high, there is more moisture in the air. The excess moisture derived from increased humidity makes curly hair hold on to more moisture resulting in a moisture imbalance which could lead to loss of definition and frizz.  

Hydrate Your Curls in Summer

Summer can be particularly challenging for naturally curly hair since the combination of humidity and heat can lead to excessive dryness and frizz. The secret to dreamy, summer curls is lightweight moisture and strong hold stylers, alongside frequent conditioning treatments and heat protectants.

The UV rays from the sun can damage the hair cuticle, which opens the hair up to further damage, as the cuticle -  the hair’s protective barrier becomes more fragile causing hair breakage. Furthermore, if you’re an avid swimmer, the chlorine from pools and saltwater from the sea can also strip hair of its natural oils, opting for sulfate free chelating shampoos or detox masks will restore balance and remove toxins and impurities from the hair and scalp. 

8 Tips to Nourish Curly Hair During Summer

      1. Protect Hair from the Sun

For curly hair care, sun protection is a must during summer. When you’re out in the sun for extended periods, wear a stylish scarf or a hat. Alternatively, consider use of a heat protectant after conditioning to provide an added layer of protection.

      2. Hydration is Key

The first point of hydration for curly hair is your cleansing routine. Be sure to use a sulfate free cleanser which will rehydrate the hair whilst lifting dirt and residue. Choose products that are formulated specifically for curly hair and contain ingredients, particularly emollients and hydrating ingredients such as honey, marshmallow root, aloe vera.

      3. Regular Deep Conditioning

Curly hair care in summer should involve a deep conditioning treatment at least once a week. This helps nourish the hair and replenish moisture. You can also use refreshers to boost moisture levels in between wash days.

      4. Refrain from Heat Styling

Give curly hair a break from heat-styling tools, such as blow dryers and flat irons. These can further dry out and damage curls and cause leaving them weak and brittle. If you are not a fan of air drying your curls, choose to diffuse on low, cool setting.

     5. Regular Trims

A great way to tame curls during summer is to stop split ends in the tracks before they move higher up the hair shaft, leading to further damage and ongoing frizz. Regular trims help to nip split unhealthy ends in the butt, ensuring your curls are truly healthy from root to tip, all summer long. 

     6. Plenty of Water

Hydrate from within. Drinking plenty of water is another key to moisturizing curls. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day keeps not just your skin hydrated but your hair and scalp as well. If your body lacks the hydration needed, your hair will suffer as the body routes water and other essential nutrients to vital parts of your body first. 

      7. Loosen Wet Hair

Whilst your curls are easiest to manipulate for styling when wet, refrain from pulling your curls into a tight ponytail or bun after showering or swimming. As your hair is already carrying additional water weight, unnecessary pressure can result in wet frizz, split ends, and breakage. If you want to keep hair away from your eyes, use a clip or a soft headband instead. 

     8. Clarify regularly

With frizz a key concern during the summer months, its important to provide your hair and scalp with a reset this will allow for better moisture absorption and reduce a moisture imbalance caused by moisture overload. Maintaining an optimal hair ph of 4.5 - 5.5 will aid a smooth hair cuticle and minimise frizz and flyaways caused by humidity and friction. It is not a myth that shampoos can minimise frizz which is important for curly hair types as noted in the article titled The Shampoo pH can Affect the Hair: Myth or Reality?

Maintaining Moisture in Curly Hair

The answer to high humidity during summer is moisture, lots of moisture, whether you have tight coils or fine curls. The more moisturized your hair is, the less likely it will react to moisture or need to draw moisture from the air. You can boost curly hair moisture with a summer hair routine using lightweight hair products such as refreshers, oil free serums.

Curly Hair Masks

Incorporate frequent conditioning treatments to your summer curly hair routine to replenish long lasting moisture along with nutrients your curls desperately need to remain healthy and fight of environmental aggressors. We have a range of instant and deep conditioning treatments that provide instant boost of curl nourishment. Choose a hair mask free of silicones which can often mask the true condition of your curls, natural high performance conditioners can restore even the driest of curls. To maximise the benefits of conditioning treatments, use them weekly.

Leave-In Conditioners

Leave-in conditioners are perfect for all-natural curly hair types in summer. Choose a lightweight leave-in product that’s packed with natural moisturizers, including shea butter, avocado oil, marshmallow root or aloe vera.

Refreshers and Hair Mists

A hydrating mist delivers moisture on the go to halt humidity in its track. Spritz a mixture of hydrating ingredients including glycerin, coconut oil and aloe vera thoroughly in your curls. 

Conclusion

Adapting curly hair routines to the changing seasons, particularly in summer is the key to maintaining beautiful, healthy curls. By understanding how each season impacts your curly hair and making several adjustments to your routine, you can be certain that your gorgeous locks will remain well-nourished and vibrant. Hair care in all kinds of weather is essential, whatever your hair type may be. 

FAQs

1) What happens to curly hair in summer?

The salt, chemicals, and chlorine in the sea and swimming pools can leave curls looking dry, dull, and lifeless. Furthermore, prolonged exposure to the elements can damage your beautiful curls.

2) Do I need to deep condition more during summer?

It’s very important to deep condition your curls during summer, particularly if you’re spending a lot of time under the sea, sun, or pool. 

3) How do I keep my curls moisturised?

You can moisturise curly hair by using a leave-in conditioner that smooths curls, keeps them hydrated, and moisturised. 

4) Do I need to use a protective hairstyle in summer?

Yes. Protective hairstyles like twists and braids can prevent breakage and tangles and help retain moisture.

5) Why do my curls look less curly in summer?

Prolonged exposure to the sun rays can damage the hair cuticle, the outermost hair layer, which makes holding a curl more difficult.