Summer is brilliant for us.
Our hair? Not always quite so much.
Weeks of sunshine, holidays, swimming pools, sea water, heat styling and tying our hair up can take their toll. And it’s often not until September that we suddenly notice our hair isn’t behaving like it did a few months ago.
So how can you tell whether your hair needs a little post-summer TLC?
Here are seven signs to look for.
1. Your colour has faded
UV exposure can contribute to colour fading, and between sunshine and frequent washing, your beautiful salon colour may look less vibrant by September.
Blondes can look dull, brunettes can lose richness and other shades may appear warmer or flatter than before.
The fix: Don’t automatically reach for another permanent colour. Sometimes a toner, gloss or colour refresh is all that’s needed.
2. Your ends feel like straw
Those crispy, rough ends are one of the classic post-summer complaints.
The ends are the oldest and usually most vulnerable part of your hair, so they’re often the first place you’ll notice a change.
The fix: A combination of the right treatment, good homecare and a healthy trim can make an enormous difference.
3. Your hair is tangling more
If brushing your hair suddenly feels like a workout, pay attention.
A rougher, compromised outer cuticle can cause strands to catch against one another, creating more tangles.
And aggressively brushing those tangles can then cause even more damage.
The fix: Condition properly, use a suitable leave-in product and detangle gently from the ends upwards.
4. Your hair has lost its shine
Healthy-looking hair reflects light beautifully.
When the surface becomes rough or there’s a build-up of minerals and products on the hair, it can start looking dull.
The fix: Work out WHY it’s dull before throwing more products at it. Your hair might need hydration but it might actually need a detox.
5. You’re seeing more breakage
Little pieces of hair around the sink, on your clothes or when brushing aren’t necessarily hair falling from the root.
They may be breakage.
Hair that’s been lightened, exposed to heat and then subjected to a summer of sun and swimming can be particularly vulnerable.
The fix: Reduce unnecessary heat temporarily and introduce appropriate strengthening or bond-building treatments.
6. It’s suddenly frizzier
Frizz isn’t always about humidity.
Hair that’s dry or has a compromised surface can behave differently and become harder to control.
If your previously manageable hair has suddenly become fluffy or frizzy, its condition could be contributing.
The fix: Focus on improving condition rather than simply applying increasingly heavy styling products over the top.
7. Your usual products have stopped working
This one surprises people.
Sometimes clients tell us:
“My shampoo just doesn’t work anymore.”
The product may not have changed your hair has.
Its condition, moisture needs or the amount of build-up present may now be different.
The fix: Have your hair reassessed rather than automatically buying another bottle of the same thing.
So, how many did you score?
0–2 signs: Your hair has probably survived summer pretty well.
3–4 signs: It’s asking for a little TLC.
5+ signs: We’d definitely recommend giving your hair some attention.
The good news is that September is the perfect time for a reset.
A professional assessment can determine whether your hair needs moisture, strengthening, detoxification, a trim, a colour refresh or a combination.
Your post-summer hair reset
One of the worst things you can do is assume that damaged-looking hair simply needs more conditioner.
At The Strand, we’d rather look at what’s actually happening and create a plan around your hair.
Sometimes that might mean a professional treatment.
Sometimes a detox.
Sometimes a good haircut.
And sometimes we’ll tell you that your hair is actually in great condition and you don’t need anything extra at all.
If your hair isn’t feeling like itself after summer, September is the perfect time to reset it. Ask your Strand stylist what your hair needs next.
