While we religiously apply SPF to keep skin protected – especially in summer – the same cannot always be said for our hair. Left to fend for itself in the environmental equivalent of the wild west, hair is susceptible to nearly as much damage as our skin – we’re just less aware of it.
“Exposure to any high heat can pull moisture from the hair, changing its protein structure and causing cracks in the cuticle layer, making the hair more vulnerable to damage,” explains Bernardo Vasconcelos, Living Proof pro expert and celebrity hair ambassador. “Even though your hair doesn’t technically ‘burn’, UV rays in summer can still damage your hair in the same way.”
Not only does the strong summer sunshine impact our hair, but according to John Clark, hair colourist at John Frieda Salon, over-exposing it to chemicals, such as chlorine and sunscreen, can also dry the hair fibre out and cause discolouration. Not to mention, year-round colour treating and heat styling also seriously compromise hair integrity, which leads to frizz, dryness, and breakage.
Read more: The Best Hair Straighteners For Silky Smooth Locks
The simple fact is that after all we throw at it, hair will struggle to look (and feel) healthy, unless it is taken care of and treated with the correct products. “Healthy hair has the right balance of moisture and protein,” says Clark. “Which is the key to maintaining shine and bounce. So when shopping around for a hair mask, you want to look for ingredients like moisturising oils, fats and anything protein-rich to essentially fill in the cracks in the hair.”
When on holiday or if you know your locks will be exposed to lots of sun, Vasconcelos also advises protecting it with a UV-filtering formula. “The sun can shift your colour and make it brassy, as well as change the texture and cause frizz,” he says. “Everyone has different hair types so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all ingredient or formula, but I would avoid anything that contains heavy silicones, as this can cause build-up, which can then lead to damage.” He also recommends looking for brands that integrate hemisqualane into their products to help manage frizz, add slip and boost shine.
Using a treatment mask once a week should become an important part of your haircare routine for healthy, shiny and manageable hair. On holiday? Clark recommends applying a mask pre-pool, sea or trip to the beach to help add vital moisture to the hair and protect it from any chemicals.
Below, some of the best hair masks to try now.
