Our tips for repairing your hair after the summer

Summer is high season for several sources of damage to hair fibres, which can accumulate throughout the season. Here are the main ones.

The sun and UV rays

UV rays break down melanin, the hair’s natural pigment, which explains the gradual lightening of exposed lengths and the accelerated fading of coloured or highlighted hair. They also weaken keratin by oxidising the sulphur-containing amino acids of which it is made, particularly cysteine – much like a coat of varnish that begins to peal after repeated sun exposure. Hair becomes more porous, colour fades more quickly and the lengths lose their shine. This effect is exacerbated by prolonged exposure without protection, or on hair that is already fine or otherwise sensitised.

Chlorine and sea salt

Swimming pool water and sea water dry out the hair fibre on a deep level. They strip away part of the hair’s protective lipid film (known scientifically as '18-MEA'), a thin layer of fatty acids which naturally coats each cuticle and allows it to glide smoothly without snagging. Once this film is damaged, the cuticles become rougher, less tightly bound together and allow water to escape more easily from inside the hair: this is what gives that straw-like feel when you return from the beach or the swimming pool. Chlorine, in particular, has an oxidising effect which can also dull the colour and give greenish tints to light or bleached hair.

Hair bonds put under severe strain

Your hair fibre has dried out because it has undergone a sort of stripping process: it has been deprived of some of its natural protective oils, somewhat like removing nail varnish with nail varnish remover. The hair bonds, located in the cortex, having been left overexposed to external damage, will have eventually worn down or even broken. The internal structure of the hair (composed of keratin chains linked by disulphide bridges, hydrogen bonds and ionic bonds) [1] is therefore damaged. Add to this the use of hair dryers, often used in summer to tame frizz as soon as there is a little humidity in the air, and you end up with hair that is weakened, brittle and less shiny when you return from holiday.

Good to know: Hair that’s already dry, coloured or has extensions is even more vulnerable to these stress factors. To avoid having to repair your hair after the summer, it’s best to protect it starting from the very first days of sun exposure.

• Dry: to the touch, hair fibres feel coarse, lack suppleness and seem to snag at the slightest touch

• Dull: the lengths look dark and lacklustre, as if they no longer reflect light, even after a treatment

• Brittle: styling leaves more hair in the brush, and small pieces of broken hair appear on the floor or on clothing

• Split ends: the ends look stringy, frayed and lifeless, sometimes with several micro-split ends on a single strand

• Tangled: knots are more frequent, form more quickly after washing and become harder to untangle without pulling

• Unmanageable: frizz appears as soon as there is a little moisture in the air, often indicating excessive porosity of the hair fibre

• Lack of bounce: curls appear looser, less bouncy and less defined, and don’t last as long throughout the day

• Length growth has stalled: growth isn’t actually slowing down; it’s the ends that break regularly, giving the impression that your hair isn’t growing any longer.

If several of these signs sound familiar, head over to our article on mistakes to avoid with brittle hair to identify what, in your routine, might be contributing to the problem.

As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure… and your hair will tell you that protection is definitely better than repair! Here are the habits to adopt to get through the summer with complete peace of mind:

1. Protect your hair lengths before any sun exposure. Apply a protective oil to dry or damp hair before sun exposure or swimming; it will form a barrier against UV rays, salt and chlorine.

2. Rinse your hair with clean water after swimming in the pool or the sea. This helps to remove much of the salt and chlorine before they dry out hair fibres deep down.

3. Limit the use of heat and heated styling tools. Prioritise air-drying; your hair is already under enough strain from the sun.

4. Opt for protective hairstyles. Braids, a loose bun or a silk scarf minimise friction and direct exposure of the lengths.

5. Moisturise and nourish regularly. A leave-in treatment applied during your holiday will prevent your hair from becoming dry by the end of your break.

Precautions for this food supplement: Not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. For adults only. Keep out of reach of children. Not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or who have a personal or family history of breast cancer. Should be used in addition to a regular intake of fruit and vegetables to maintain carotenoid levels. Seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Take at a different time from any medication (at least 60 minutes apart). Do not take if you are currently on anticoagulant treatment. Avoid consuming more than 3 grams of added plant sterols/stanols per day. Patients undergoing cholesterol-lowering treatment should only take this product under medical supervision.

To find out more, check out our complete anti-breakage routine.

Despite all the precautions you took over the summer, your hair might still have suffered: between the sun, salt, chlorine and repeated swimming, hair fibres are put under a lot of strain.

So, what happened this summer? Your hair shaft dried out because it has undergone a sort of stripping process. It was stripped of some of its natural protective oils, a bit like removing nail varnish with nail varnish remover. Your hair bonds, located in the cortex, were left overexposed to external damage and eventually wore down or even broke. The internal structure of your hair (composed of keratin chains linked by disulphide bonds, hydrogen bonds and ionic bonds) is therefore now damaged.

The result when, you return from holiday, is that your hair is weakened and brittle. It needs to be ‘repaired’ to regain its strength, shine and softness.

A few simple daily habits can help maintain your results and prevent breakage from returning the next time your hair is exposed to damage.

• Avoid chemical treatments: your hairdresser will probably refuse to colour, bleach or straighten your hair if they consider it to be too damaged

• Put heat styling tools away in the cupboard: there’s no need to further damage your hair with straighteners, curling irons or a hairdryer; let your hair air-dry 

• Space out your washes: go easy on the surfactants; try ‘co-washing’ (washing with conditioner) every other wash if your hair is really very dry

• Opt for protective hairstyles: braids, plaits, a loose bun or a silk scarf protect the lengths from external damage and minimise friction; choose your summer and post-summer hairstyles carefully – they should be protective and not too tight

• Try a silk pillowcase: it reduces friction, breakage and drying out of the hair fibre compared to cotton; a silk nightcap or bonnet works using the same principle

• Pay attention to your diet: prioritise sources of vitamin C and B vitamins, as well as foods rich in sulphur-containing amino acids and iron – substances that play an important role in the synthesis of your hair’s proteins

• Trim the ends regularly: a trim every 2 to 3 months prevents split ends from travelling up the length of your hair.

To find out more about each step, do take a look at our article on the best anti-breakage ingredients and our article on how to repair split ends naturally.

Plant-based butters and oils: to deeply nourish the hair

Organic shea butter: it can be mixed with other haircare products or active ingredients to create an intensive repair mask and forms a barrier against dehydration that effectively protects damaged hair and split ends. To be used only on the lengths and ends: if applied in excess to the roots, it can weigh down fine hair or scalps prone to oiliness.

Discover Organic Guinean Shea Butter

Organic coconut oil: thanks to its high lauric acid content, it has excellent affinity with the hair fibre. It’s best used in an oil treatment combined with other plant-based oils, depending on your hair’s needs.

Discover Organic Coconut Oil

Organic desert date oil: particularly beneficial after repeated exposure to the sun, it helps improve the appearance of dry ends and weakened lengths. It can be mixed with a blend of plant-based oils or added to a nourishing treatment. Just make sure to avoid contact with the eyes when applying it.

Discover organic desert date oil

Cosmetic active ingredients: to strengthen the hair’s structure

Phytokeratin: derived from hydrolysed wheat proteins, it provides amino acids similar to those naturally found in the hair’s keratin. It is always incorporated into a hair care product in diluted form, generally at a concentration of between 1 and 5 per cent.

Discover Phytokeratin

Keratin’Protect: Derived from brown seaweed, this water-soluble active ingredient blends easily into your water-based formulations, such as shampoos, conditioners or homemade hair masks. It is generally used at a concentration of between 1 and 5 per cent of the total weight of the formulation.

Discover Keratin'Protect

Plant-based ceramides: known for their lipid-replenishing properties, they help to smooth the hair cuticle and strengthen the hair fibre’s lipid barrier. They should always be incorporated in diluted form into a shampoo, conditioner or hair mask to fully benefit from their properties.

Discover plant-based ceramides

Dietary supplements and superfoods, to look after your hair from the inside out

Organic alfalfa powder: naturally rich in proteins and minerals, it is traditionally used to promote hair vitality. It should be taken at a rate of one teaspoon per day in a drink or sprinkled over a cold dish. Its use is not recommended for those on anticoagulant treatment.

Contraindications: Not recommended for children or for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Not recommended for women with a personal or family history of breast cancer. This is because alfalfa contains plant compounds known as isoflavones, which are phytoestrogens; it is advisable to limit consumption of these in cases of hormone-dependent conditions. Not recommended for people suffering from lupus erythematosus. If you are taking anticoagulant medication, consult your doctor before consuming alfalfa on a regular basis.

Discover Organic Alfalfa Powder

Enriched brewer’s yeast: often chosen during seasonal changes, it is used in treatment programmes designed to care for hair and nails. For adult use only; avoid if you have a known sensitivity to yeast.

Contraindications: Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. For adults only. Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. This food supplement contains biotin (vitamin B8). Biotin may interfere with thyroid hormone tests; please discuss this with your GP.

Discover Enriched Brewer’s Yeast

The haircare products and active ingredients mentioned in this content may not be suitable for everyone. We advise you to consult our product information sheets before use. Carry out a sensitivity test on the inside of your elbow 48 hours before your first application. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Seek advice from a healthcare professional if in doubt. Keep out of reach of children. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.

Don’t forget to pay attention to your diet. Try to adopt a healthy, balanced diet to keep your hair looking its best when you return from holiday. Our hair follicles primarily need sulphur-containing amino acids to produce the keratin that makes up our hair. These are particularly abundant in meat and dairy products. Make sure you also get plenty of vitamins (B vitamins, as well as vitamins C and A) to promote hair growth.

Hélène Betoux is a French beauty journalist specialising in web media. Every day she writes tips, advice, and guides to help consumers choose the right beauty products. With a strong interest in natural, organic, and clean cosmetics, she analyses and shares trends and innovations in the sector.