Summer Hair Care: Your Complete Guide to Healthy, Beautiful Hair All Season Long

Summer brings sunshine, beach days, and pool parties – but it can also wreak havoc on your hair. Between chlorine, salt water, UV rays, and humidity, your locks face unique challenges during the warmer months. At Indigo Collective in Lebanon, NJ, serving Hunterdon County, we believe beautiful hair shouldn't take a vacation, which is why we've put together this comprehensive guide to keep your hair healthy, hydrated, and gorgeous all summer long.

The Summer Hair Challenge

Summer elements can leave your hair feeling dry, brittle, and damaged. Chlorine strips natural oils, salt water dehydrates strands, and UV rays fade color while weakening hair structure. Add humidity-induced frizz to the mix, and you've got a recipe for bad hair days. But don't worry – with the right care routine and products, you can protect and nourish your hair through every summer adventure.

After Pool Care: Chlorine Recovery

The Problem: Chlorine is one of hair's biggest summer enemies. This chemical strips away natural oils, leaving hair dry and brittle. For color-treated hair, chlorine can cause fading and even unwanted color shifts (hello, green tint!).

The Solution:

1. Rinse immediately after swimming with fresh water to dilute chlorine

2. Cleanse gently with a clarifying shampoo to remove chlorine buildup

3. Deep condition to restore moisture and elasticity

   
   

Aveda Product Recommendations: Our Lebanon, NJ salon team recommends-

• Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo: Gently clarifies with care to remove buildup, impurities, and boosts shine.

• Botanical Repair Intensive Strengthening Masque: Penetrates deeply to repair and strengthen damaged hair

• Nutriplenish Leave-In Conditioner: A leave-in treatment that continues hydrating your hair long after you've left the pool

  
  

After Sun and Sand Care: Beach Hair Recovery

The Problem: Salt water may give you those coveted beachy waves, but it also draws moisture from your hair shaft. Combined with UV exposure and sand abrasion, beach days can leave hair feeling like straw.

The Solution:

1. Rinse thoroughly to remove salt and sand particles

2. Use a hydrating shampoo to gently cleanse without further drying

3. Apply intensive moisture treatments to replenish what sun and salt took away

4. Protect with UV-filtering products for future beach days

   
   

Aveda Product Recommendations:

• Nutriplenish Shampoo: Cleanses and replenishes with nutrient powered hydration

• Nutriplenish Treatment Masque: Superfood-infused masque that hydrates, treats and replenishes moisture

• Nutriplenish Replenishing Overnight : Overnight hair treatment that increases hydration by 2x in one night

  
  

General Summer Hair Care Tips

Pre-Summer Preparation

Before diving into summer activities, give your hair a strong foundation:

• Get a trim to remove any existing damage

• Consider a deep conditioning treatment at the salon

• Discuss color protection with your stylist if you have color-treated hair

  
  

Daily Summer Hair Routine

Morning:

• Apply a UV-protective leave-in treatment

• Use a wide-tooth comb on damp hair to prevent breakage

• Consider protective styles like braids or buns for extended sun exposure

Evening:

• Rinse hair with cool water (hot water strips moisture)

• Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo

• Apply conditioner from mid-length to ends

• Use a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt to dry (reduces frizz)

Weekly Intensive Care

• Deep conditioning treatment: Use a moisture-rich mask once a week

• Scalp care: Don't forget your scalp needs protection too

• Trim maintenance: Regular trims prevent split ends from traveling up the hair shaft

  
  

Aveda's Summer Hair Care Heroes

For All Hair Types:

• Shampure Nuturing Shampoo and Conditioner: Gently cleanses and provides weightless nourishment, making it perfect for everyday use

For Dry/Damaged Hair:

• Botanical Repair Collection: Complete system that prevent breakage, strenthen and repair strands

For Color-Treated Hair:

• Color Control Collection: Complete system that effectively reduces color fade and leaves hair nourished and soft

For Fine Hair:

• Invati Advanced Collection: Reduces hair loss by 77%, thickens hair with high-performance botanical active ingredients

• Pure Abundance Collection: Adds body and volume for hair that looks more abundant

  
  

Professional Summer Hair Care at Indigo Collective

While at-home care is essential, professional treatments can give your hair the intensive care it needs to thrive all summer long. Our team specializes in:

• Custom deep conditioning treatments tailored to your hair's specific needs

• Color refresh services to combat summer fading

• Scalp treatments to address dry scalp and maintain healthy hair growth

  
  

Summer Hair Care Myths Debunked

Myth: "You should wash your hair less in summer"

Truth: You might need to wash more frequently due to sweat, sunscreen, and activity levels

Myth: "Cutting your hair makes it grow faster in summer"

Truth: Hair growth rate doesn't change, but regular trims prevent damage that can make hair appear to grow slower

Myth: "Natural oils are always better than leave-in products"

Truth: While natural oils have benefits, formulated leave-in treatments often provide more comprehensive protection

Your Summer Hair Action Plan

1. Assess your current routine – what's working and what isn't?

2. Schedule regular maintenance – book your summer trim, haircolor and treatment appointments

3. Listen to your hair – adjust your routine based on how your hair responds to summer activities

   
   

Ready for Your Best Summer Hair Ever?

Don't let summer take a toll on your beautiful hair.

At Indigo Collective, we're here to help you create a personalized summer hair care routine that keeps your locks healthy, vibrant, and gorgeous through every sunny adventure.

Book your summer hair consultation today! 📞 (908) 840-4064 📧 Guesthappiness@indigocollectivenj.com 🌐 www.indigocollectivenj.com

Located at 1386 US 22 West, Suite 5, Lebanon, NJ 08850 in the Hunterdon Hills Plaza