Frizz, flatness, and a scalp that seems to produce oil faster than you can rinse it out can make summer feel like a long trial for your hair. But while most people cycle through quick fixes, the real solution lies in understanding how your hair and scalp react to the climate you live in. "Your environment determines your baseline," says Dr Ritika Khanna, hair transplant surgeon at DHI Medical Group. Here she outlines seven practical and often overlooked ways to keep hair healthy, presentable, and truly weather-proof.
7 Tips To Protect Your Hair From The Weather
If you struggle with frizzy, unmanageable hair during the weather change, here are seven tips that you must incorporate into your hair care routine to tame your hair.
1. Aid Your Scalp First
Pollution and heat often lead to sweat and grime accumulation on the scalp, which can clog follicles and create the illusion of hair loss. "Start by washing your scalp, not your hair," says Dr Khanna. A scalp cleansing routine every 2–3 days helps regulate oil and keeps the roots clean without over-drying the lengths.
2. Dry shampoo is not a lifestyle
While convenient, dry shampoo isn’t a substitute for actual cleansing. It leaves behind residue that builds up over time. "In hot and humid weather, anything that sits on the scalp for too long can invite bacterial imbalance," she says. Use it only once between washes, not daily.
Also Read: Dark Side Of Dry Shampoos: Expert Reveals The Risks To Your Hair And Scalp Health
3. Think of leave-ins as climate shields
Leave-in conditioners have more uses than just styling. According to Dr Khanna, using a silicone-free, leave-in product like a hair-smoothing serum can physically protect hair cuticles from swelling due to excess moisture in the air. "If the hair shaft swells and contracts too often, it weakens structurally," she explains.
4. Double down on hydration (internally and externally)
Well-moisturized hair responds better to heat and pollution. Dr Khanna recommends a light water-based serum applied after towel drying, combined with dietary hydration. "Water intake plays a bigger role in scalp health than most people realise," she says.
5. Skip the midday sun
Extended sun exposure can dry out the scalp and fade hair colour, especially for those with treated or naturally dark hair. "Covering your head with a breathable scarf or hat during peak sun hours can dramatically reduce UV stress on hair," she says.
Also Read: Does Sunlight Affect Hair Health? Tips For Saving Them From The Harsh Heat Of The Sun
6. Don't ignore nighttime friction
The combination of sweat, dust, and friction from cotton pillowcases can contribute to breakage. "A satin or silk pillowcase reduces friction, keeps your hair cuticle smooth, and helps retain moisture overnight," suggests Dr Khanna.
7. Anti-pollution products are underrated
"Products that contain pollution-fighting ingredients like vitamin E are worth looking into," Dr Khanna notes. Anti-pollution and detox hair products like frizz-control sprays are loaded with antioxidants, which prevent microdamage and thinning in addition to protecting the hair’s surface to combat dullness and thinning.
Final Word
Adaptability is a luxury. "Weather-proof hair isn’t about perfection," says Dr Khanna. "It’s about giving your hair what it needs to handle the environment it lives in."