While we long for summer, especially those of us who live in Minnesota. But, unfortunately, sun and humidity can damage your hair’s cuticle leaving you with dry, drab, split, brittle or frizzy hair and ends. The sunlight is just as damaging as a hot blow dryer. Natural curly hair is often a victim to summer fizzes. Since none of this is fun, let’s talk about some preventative measures, tips if you will, so we can enjoy our hair all summer long!

Replenish. You can prevent static electricity when washing by applying a conditioner that adds moisture and shine. Every other shampoo, apply a leave-in conditioner after gently towel drying your hair. Products advertised that they “replenish” are designed to add moisture. The voluminizing and feminizing products are designed to add body and shine but not moisture. Read the ingredients in the products.

Ditch the hot tools. If you typically use the blow dryer and the hot curling tools daily, give your hair a break during the summer months. Consider letting our hair air dry and go with a more “natural” style. Braid your hair when wet and it will dry into beautiful waves. If you feel you must use the blow dryer, use a leave - in conditioner designed to protect your hair.

Deep condition. On the weekends or at night, dab a good deep conditioner on the ends and frizziest parts of your hair. Then, put it up or wrap it in plastic and sleep on it. This will restore absent moisture that contributes to your frizzies. It will also prevent heavy conditioners from weighing down your hair, since the conditioner is only on your trouble spots.

Use SPF. If you find yourself at the beach without a hat or SPF for your hair, you can use the stuff made for your skin. When you get home, be sure to use a deep - cleansing shampoo to remove it. This may not be the greatest solution but it will likely save your hair from sun damage.

Keep the Frizzies at bay. When the summer heat is it’s hottest, you can contain the “frizzies” by wearing your hair up in a knot, bun or braids. Use caution with using shine products to control the frizzies. Often times they contain silicone and can coat your hair after just a few applications. This will only make your problems worse in the long run.

Trim. Keep your hair trimmed. Since the summer heat can pump up the frizzies, make sure you have your ends trimmed every 6-8 weeks during the summer. when your ends are frizzy, its a sign that they are either damaged, split or both.

Protect your hair. Wear a hat at the beach, in the convertible or out in the hot sun. Your hair can get sunburned just like your scalp. The only way you can correct severely burned hair is by trimming. Frizzy hair is very often the result of too much sun time. Use leave - in hair products with sun protection when you know you will be hanging out at the beach, especially if you are unwilling to wear a hat or a cover-up.

Easy does it. Be gently with your hair always but especially in the summer. Consider a gentle shampoo with ingredients that are as natural as possible. Avoid products containing alcohol or formaldehyde since they can be excessively drying to the hair. Consider washing your hair less often during the summer months to allow your hair to absorb more moisture.

So, enjoy your summer and your great looking hair!