Summer is very harsh on your hair. The sun dehydrates your hair and leaves it dull, dry and brittle while chlorine fades color and humidity frizzes. Follow these 10 tips from top stylists at our Hair Salon in Wellesley to restore health and vibrancy to your locks in time for the holidays!

1. Put Down the Heat

Give your hair a reprieve from the use of heating elements for a week or two and experiment with your hair up, braids or ponytails. Always remember when using irons and blow dryers to apply a protective heat resistant product first, then select the right heat setting on your dryer or iron based on the thickness of your hair and the manufacturers recommendations. We recommend Oribe Royal Blowout heat styling spray - ask about it next time you visit!

2. Remove Chlorine Buildup

Pool time can lead to chlorine build-up but few realize showering with unfiltered tap water will do the same over time. Chlorine buildup leaves your hair dry, brittle and frizzy – in short, difficult to manage! Prevention is the safest way to deal with chlorine build up (swim caps, applying spray on hair conditioner prior to and rinsing immediately after swimming) but if you suspect you’ve got chlorine buildup consult with your Hair Stylist. A professional treatment at your hair salon is recommended over an at home treatment. While clarifying shampoos are a great way to start repairing the damage, using them more than twice a week will further dry your trusses and fade your color.

3. Fix Fading Hair Color

Has your color turned dull or brassy? It may be time to your colorist and schedule a touchup, in the meantime rebalance the moisture levels in your hair with a nourishing shampoo to recover shine and body.

4. Repair Heat Damage

If you’ve used any chemicals at all in your hair, chances are the summer sun, salt and chlorine left your hair brittle and dry. Battle the urge to style with heat and go au natural for a week or two, use a hydrating oil like Morrocanoil and schedule a trim as soon as possible. Routine cuts every 6-8 weeks are the best protection against dry, damaged ends. To keep your hair healthy and nourished, schedule a glaze which will improve the overall condition of the hair and add shine, as well as balancing hair color between color treatments. This is especially true for brunettes in hard water conditions!

5. Tame the Frizz

For those of us who fall victim to the frizzies the transition from summer to fall can be particularly frustrating. Give your parched hair some TLC and switch to a sulfate free shampoo and a smoothing, frizz-fighting conditioner that treats the scalp as well. If you’re styling with heat, always apply a smoothing, heat resistant cream first to reduce breakage.

6. Show Your Scalp Some Love!

Did you treat your scalp with sun protection this summer? If you overlooked protecting your sensitive scalp and over did it in the sun chances are your hair is in desperate need of a 3-in-1 treatment that treats dandruff but also infuses hydration with hot oil and deeply conditions to reduce breaking and split ends. If your hair is on the oily side this may seem counterintuitive but scalp oil actually rebalances sebum production (a natural oil your scalp produces) for both dry and oily scalps.

7. Repair Split Ends

If you shampoo and style every day, split ends are inevitable. If it’s too early for a trim, schedule a glaze at your hair salon in the interim. Between trims use a moisturizing shampoo and fusion conditioner. Rinse with cold water to seal the hair’s outer layer and always use a heat protectant if styling with heating tools! Top off with a small amount of shine serum.

8. Inspect Ingredients

Sulfates are cleansing agents that create the lather and suds in most shampoos. If you shampoo daily, chances are sulfates will strip and dull your color while drying out your hair. Try a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner like Oribe to clean without depleting the hair’s moisture.

9. Try a Keratin Treatment

Many women (and men) who struggle to tame frizzy, curly and even coarse hair opt for Keratin hair straightening for soft manageable hair. Keratin is a protein found naturally in your hair, which fills in the gaps in hair cuticles that are dry, cracked and damaged. Consult with your hair stylist to determine if a Keratin treatment is right for you.

10. Consult a Bella Santé Hair Stylist

If your hair hasn’t responded to at-home treatments a good stylist can recommend the right remedy. Whether it’s a glaze or Keratin treatment, a trim for split-ends, a new cut and color, highlights or low lights, we know what to do to get your hair holiday ready. Call to schedule a consultation 617.424.9930 or book your appointment or consultation online.