How to Transition Your Haircare Routine From Spring to Summer

Listen up: Your hair has needs. And whether or not you satisfy these needs will ultimately determine what kind of hair day — or hair season — you're having. Interestingly, what your hair wants in fall is different from what it beckons for come winter. Hence, it's important to adapt your haircare routine to the season, the spring-to-summer transition included. But don't just take our word for it, we spoke with pro stylists who let us on the importance of following a seasonal haircare regimen.

Keep scrolling for five expert-approved tips for transitioning your haircare routine from spring to summer.

1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

According to Michael Dueñas, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Veluer Creative, the hotter it is outside, the drier your hair can become. "High temperatures and UV exposure make the hair porous, fading the color and causing dry, brittle hair," adds Chicago-based stylist Leigh Hardges, of Maxine Salon. To keep hair looking and feeling healthy, you'll need to replenish the inevitable moisture loss.

While all hair types can benefit from added moisture in the summer months, Dueñas says that those with thicker, curlier hair types will reap the most rewards from adding moisturizing haircare and styling products into their routine, as they're most susceptible to drying out. "It's [especially] important to use heavy moisture to keep your curls or waves intact," he reiterates.

2. Stay protected from the sun.

In addition to needing moisture, hair needs sun protection during the summer months — and frankly year-round. "You want to ensure that you are hydrating your hair all year round, but in the warmer months, it's important to use products that will help combat humidity, manage frizz, and protect against sun damage," says Unilever Stylist and Celebrity Hair Artist Lacy Redway. "The sun beating down on your strands can cause dryer, more brittle hair."

But that's not all. According to Dueñas, repeated unprotected sun exposure can also cause hair color to fade. "During the summer, your hair can be bleached by the sun at a faster rate," he says. "I highly recommend using color-locking products with UV protection to lock your color in. And if you are going to the pool or beach for a while, I recommend adding a light sunscreen to your hair for extra protection."

3. Add protein to your haircare routine.

When hair becomes dry and brittle, the only thing that will keep it from snapping off into split ends is if it's strong enough to withstand summer's harsh conditions. "As the hot and humid season approaches the best way to prepare is with in-salon moisturizing [and strengthening] treatments," says Leigh Hardges, a Chicago-based stylist at Maxine Salon. "Prevention should be at the forefront of the mind. If you love to be outside in the summer I would hone in on fortifying (protein) and hydration (moisture) to keep the hair strong." Of course, if you don't have the time or money for an in-salon treatment, opting for keratin-infused styling products or a strengthening rice water treatment at home can help, too.

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4. Fight frizz — starting in the shower.

Nobody wants flyaways, but few people realize that they're caused by parched hairs extending outward in search of hydration. To quench your hair's thirst and effectively prevent frizz this summer, Redway says to begin your hydrating, anti-frizz haircare routine in the shower. "Start by prepping your hair with products in the shower to fill your hair strands up with protection against elements that can create frizz and breakage," she says.

In addition to choosing hydrating shampoo and conditioner, she suggests curating a frizz-fighting haircare routine. The products you choose will depend on your specific hair type, but Redway says that all hair types can benefit from incorporating hydrating, frizz-fighting ingredients into their haircare regimen. Her suggestion: Look for products designed to offer heat protection that eliminate frizz for up to 24 hours, that way you won't have to worry about a good hair day going wrong — no matter what the summer season has in store.

5. When it comes to color, take it easy.

It's only natural to want to rock your best hair color for summer. That said, it's important to remember that coloring services can affect the health of your hair. Hardges says it's best to be patient with — and more mindful about — color transformations instead of trying to force them all at once. "It's advisable to go through a few in-salon treatments prior to receiving any lightening or tinting services," she says. "This will help maintain the hair's integrity and increase the longevity of the services."