You wouldn’t hit the beach without SPF, so why does your hair go unprotected? Here’s how to get through a Gold Coast summer without breakage, bleaching and burns.
Everyone has their sunscreen routine down pat. Face, ears, tops of feet, that bit of your back you can never quite reach. But we never give as much thought to protecting our hair – and then wonder why it looks like dried seagrass by March.
According to Ben Martin, Revlon Professional’s artistic ambassador and hair stylist, one of the biggest hair sins you can make during summer is forgoing proper heat protection (or only using it before your hair straightener).
“It’s essential to use heat protection, as it can help protect against sun bleaching,” he says. “It’s essentially the hair equivalent of sunscreen.”
Ben explains that sun exposure oxidises the hair, which opens the cuticle and leaves hair dry and colour faded. Protecting against this process is particularly important if your strands are colour treated.
“It’s non-negotiable,” Ben says.
The good news is, protecting your hair during summer doesn’t need to be an ordeal. Even just spraying heat protection on the top of parted hair can make a huge difference, Ben says. Reapply through the day, the same way you would sunscreen.
A few tips to keep in mind…
Pack a beach bag for your hair
Ben’s simplest fix is a dedicated beach-day hair kit, so your routine doesn’t fall apart the second you leave the house. His top pick is the Revlon Professional UniqOne Hair Treatment, alongside a detox shampoo to clear out salt, chlorine and sunscreen build-up, and a moisturising treatment for after your dip.
Wet it before you swim
Hair works like a sponge – if it’s already soaked with fresh water, it absorbs less salt or chlorine. A quick rinse under the beach shower before you head in is an easy habit to build.
Rinse straight after
Don’t let salt water dry in your hair on the walk back to the car. Rinse again post-swim, then comb a leave-in conditioner through the ends while your hair is still damp.
Cover up
A wide-brimmed hat or scarf is still the most reliable protection going – and a good excuse to finally wear the straw hat you bought last summer. It only takes one burnt scalp (and the days of flaky aftermath) to remember this tip every time.
Go easy when it’s wet
Your hair is at its most fragile when it’s wet, so go easy on it. Skip the tight ponytail, swap your brush for a wide-tooth comb and let it air dry where you can.
Turn the temperature down
Hot showers strip natural oils and speed up colour fade. Lukewarm water is kinder – both to your hair and to your skin – and usually more comfortable after a day in the sun.
Book a trim
If your ends are already frayed, no amount of product will bring them back. A trim at the start of the season gives you a clean slate.
