Summer Hair Care in the San Gabriel Valley Heat
By Bella Garcia · · 4 min read
Summers here run long, bright, and hot, often well into October. Between sun, sweat, pool days, and air conditioning, hair gets hit from every direction. These are the tips we give clients most often once the temperature starts climbing, so your hair stays soft, shiny, and easy to manage.
What summer heat does to your hair
Hot, sunny weather affects hair in several ways at once. Knowing which one you're dealing with makes the fix easier.
- UV exposure dries out the hair shaft and is a common reason color looks brassy or faded by August.
- Sweat adds salt and moisture at the scalp, which makes roots greasy and styles fall flat.
- Chlorine and salt water strip moisture and are especially rough on lightened or highlighted hair.
- Humidity swings from a muggy afternoon or a steamy shower trigger frizz in hair that's already dry.
- Air conditioning pulls moisture from indoor air, which leaves ends feeling brittle.
The basics, for every hair type
You don't need a complicated routine. A few consistent habits do most of the work.
- Cover up in direct sun. A hat or scarf protects both hair and scalp. Your part line burns more easily than you'd think.
- Use a lightweight leave-in. It adds moisture and a little barrier against the elements. Some include UV filters.
- Deep condition once a week. A mask replaces moisture lost to sun and water.
- Rinse after sweaty workouts. You don't always need shampoo. Water and a light conditioner can be enough.
- Keep heat tools on low. Hair that's already sun-dried scorches faster.
Before and after the pool or beach
Hair acts a bit like a sponge. If it's already full of clean water, it absorbs less chlorine or salt. Before you swim:
- Wet your hair with clean water from a shower or water bottle.
- Smooth a little conditioner or leave-in through the lengths.
- Braid it, or wear a swim cap if you'll be in the water a while.
Afterward, rinse as soon as you can and condition. If your hair is color-treated, this step matters even more. Here's more on protecting your shade from sun and water.
Taming summer frizz
Frizz usually means hair is thirsty and grabbing moisture from the air. Hydrating it and smoothing the cuticle are the two big levers.
- Squeeze water out with a microfiber towel or an old T-shirt instead of rubbing.
- Apply products to damp hair so they lock moisture in.
- Finish with a small amount of serum or cream on the ends.
- Keep your hands out of it once it's styled.
For longer-term help, some clients book a keratin treatment ($220) before the hottest months. The smoothing is semi-permanent (many people know it as a Brazilian Blowout) and usually holds 3 to 6 months, so one appointment in late spring can cover most of summer. It takes about 2 hrs 20 mins, so plan it ahead of a busy stretch. Our full rundown on keratin smoothing explains what to expect.
Easy hot-weather styles
On the hottest days, getting hair off your neck is half the battle.
- Braids keep hair contained and protect the ends.
- A low bun or claw-clip twist doesn't pull at the hairline.
- Loose ponytails with soft scrunchies instead of tight elastics.
- A smooth blowdry you wear down for a couple of days, then up.
If you'd rather not run a blow dryer at home in July, let us do it. The Friday blowdry special ($45) is a Friday-only wash and blowdry in whatever style suits you, as long as it isn't Hollywood waves or an updo. Extensions cost extra. If you washed at home and just need it dried, a quickdry ($45) skips the wash entirely and takes about 40 mins; show up damp or dry.
Salon services that help in summer
- A trim to clear away dry, split ends before they travel up the strand
- A scalp treatment ($35) to clear sweat and product buildup. It can be added to any service. See what happens during a scalp treatment.
- A gloss ($100) for hair that looks dull. Clear formula, so you get the shine and keep your exact shade.
- A toner ($100) for color that's gone brassy. It's a low-commitment semi-permanent color that also adds shine.
- A wash + blowdry ($65) for a clean, polished reset before a summer event
Gloss and toner both include a blowdry. Pick gloss if you like your color and just want it to shine, and toner if the tone itself needs adjusting.
You can see current pricing for everything on our summer-ready service menu.
Not sure what your hair needs after a few weeks of sun and swimming? We're appointment-only in El Monte, so message us first and we'll point you in the right direction.
FAQ
Should I wash my hair more often in summer?
Not necessarily. Washing too often dries hair out further. Many people do well rinsing with water after sweating and saving shampoo for every few days, depending on how oily their scalp gets.
Will a gloss fix brassy summer color?
A gloss is clear, so it adds shine but won't change the tone. If your color has turned brassy, a toner is the better choice because it adds a low-commitment layer of color along with shine.
How should I protect my hair before swimming?
Wet it with clean water first, add a little conditioner or leave-in, and braid it or wear a cap. Rinse and condition as soon as you get out.
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