A change of season, or let's be honest the sun appearing for the weekend, can have us wishing for lighter, blonde pieces or wondering if we need to tweak our haircare routine. We asked Atelier colourist Mads-Sune Lund and stylists Matthew Hawes and Nicholas Hardwick to help debunk some of the most common Summer hair myths. Read on to discover their pro tips...
Should I put lemon juice in my hair to lighten it?
“The theory that lemon juice lightens blonde hair in the sun is correct – but only on natural hair. If you apply lemon juice to highlighted hair there’s the chance it could go orange, and ruin all the hard work your colourist puts in! Either way, I wouldn’t recommend it, as the PH level of the lemon will dry your hair out," says Mads-Sune.
Is towel drying my hair better for it in hot weather?
“There’s not really one way of drying your hair that’s better or worse than another. But if you have weak, fine hair, vigorously rough drying it can lead to further damage, so I’d suggest patting and squeezing it instead of rubbing it dry. In Summer or in hot climates, to prevent extra frizz, I’d recommend using the medium setting on your hairdryer and finishing off with a blast of cold air, to close the cuticle for smoothness and shine”.
Is my dandruff because of a dry scalp?
“Annoyingly, dandruff can be a symptom of many things, so it might not always be easy to tell. If your hair is very dry and your scalp is itchy it could be because of a dry scalp, but equally, if the dandruff appears clumped or greasy, it can actually be the opposite problem of too much greasy and an over oily scalp – so it’s important to first figure out the cause before trying to treat it”.
“It could also be a build-up of product that’s giving you dandruff, I’d recommend to anyone who uses products in their hair to use a deep cleansing shampoo at the end of the day to rinse them out. I’d also recommend using conditioner, which can help a dry scalp. If it persists or really starts getting you down, look into seeing a trichologist for advice”.
Should I switch shampoos in summer?
“It sounds strange, but hair can build up a resistance to one shampoo, so you can try switching them out seasonally. Sometimes hair needs different things in different weather conditions, but you should always stick to a similar ‘family’ of shampoos with the same properties for your hair type. For example, if you know your hair gets frizzy, stick to moisturising shampoos even if you’re switching the type or brand”.
Can I stop my hair getting dry, even in hot weather?
“You can! There are lots of hot weather hacks you can use to keep your hair hydrated in the sun. My favourite tip is to apply our Everything Mask and wrap your hair up in a towel. The heat will help your hair absorb the mask, you can leave it in while around the house or sunbathing in the garden. Simply wash it out in the evening for super shiny, moisturised hair”.
