How To Protect Hair In Australian Summer

Christine   |   Posted on December 05 2025
How To Protect Hair In Australian Summer

Your Complete Guide to Sun, Salt & Chlorine

Australia’s summer is gorgeous — but brutal on your hair. Between extreme UV levels, heatwaves, beach days, sweaty updos, and long gaps between salon visits, it’s no surprise many of us are Googling how to protect hair in Australian summer long before December hits. And because many people are stretching appointments or budgeting carefully this season, at-home hair care in Australian summer matters more than ever.

This guide breaks down exactly what the sun, sea, and chlorine do to your hair, plus easy, affordable summer hair care tips to keep your colour vibrant, curls defined, and lengths healthy all season long.

The Short Version

  • Australian summer is brutal on hair. Strong UV, heat, saltwater and chlorine all cause dryness, frizz, colour fade and breakage – especially if you’re stretching salon visits.
  • Think “protect first, then repair.” Use hats/shade, rinse hair with tap water before swimming, avoid super-hot showers, and let hair air-dry or use low heat where possible.
  • Pool days? Rinse, coat, rinse. Wet hair before swimming, apply conditioner or leave-in, then rinse and cleanse as soon as you can afterward.
  • Beach days? Cover and condition. Use hats or scarves with UV leave-ins, then rinse and hydrate at home.
  • Repair sun-damaged hair at home. Use moisture masks, strengthening treatments, trims, and consistent protective habits.

What The Australian Sun Does To Your Hair

UV exposure breaks down the hair’s internal protein structure and oxidises colour pigments. Combine that with heat, humidity, and outdoor swimming, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for sun-damaged hair. Our UV index regularly reaches some of the highest levels in the world. That means your hair experiences:

  • Colour fade and brassiness — especially blondes, reds, and balayage
  • Dryness, roughness, split ends
  • Weakened curl pattern
  • Loss of shine and elasticity

Everyday Summer Hair Care

Small habits deliver big results in summer. Try these easy tweaks:

  • Rinse Before You Swim: Wet hair absorbs less chlorine and saltwater — reducing dryness and frizz.
  • Wash gently and less often: Overwashing accelerates dryness and colour fade. Choose low-pH, sulphate-free shampoo and follow with a hydrating conditioner.
  • Rinse with cooler water: Helps the cuticle lie flatter for shine and colour retention.
  • Wear hats or scarves during peak UV hours: The easiest way to protect hair from sun.
  • Move your part line: Prevent repeated scalp burning.
  • Don’t sit with chlorine or salt in your hair: Rinse as soon as possible.

sun protection for hair wearing hat in summer

How To Protect Your Hair From Pool Chlorine

Chlorine is harsh on all hair types — and absolutely brutal on coloured, blonde, or curly hair.

Why chlorine is damaging

  • Strips natural oils
  • Causes blonde/foiled hair to turn dull or greenish
  • Roughens the cuticle, making hair frizzy and dry

Your pre-swim routine

  1. Rinse hair with tap water first.
  2. Apply a protective leave-in or conditioner.
  3. Secure hair in a braid or bun.

After swimming

Rinse immediately, then shampoo gently and use a moisture-rich conditioner.

Check out these products specifically formulated for chlorine and salt water protection:

how to protect hair from chlorine pool swimming

Beach Days: Protecting Hair From Sun And Saltwater

Saltwater pulls moisture from the hair, leaving it dry and puffy. Combined with UV, it’s one of the fastest ways to lose definition, shine, and colour.

Before the beach

  • Rinse with tap water.
  • Apply a UV leave-in cream or spray.
  • Wear a hat or scarf.

After the beach

  • Rinse out salt as soon as you can.
  • Follow with a moisture mask or hydrating conditioner.

Simple Addition to Your Hair Routine

Summer styling should work with your hair, not against it. The right products help you shape, smooth and define your hair while also delivering UV and heat protection.

Styling Products

These formulas create shape, reduce frizz, smooth the cuticle and offer lightweight environmental protection.

All-In-One UV + Heat Protectors

These multitaskers boost moisture, reduce frizz, protect colour and shield from both heat styling and UV exposure.

Chlorine, Saltwater & Treatment Essentials

Summer exposure requires support. These products help shield your hair before swimming and repair it after.

Treatments & Masks for Summer Repair

Regular deep nourishment restores hydration, strengthens weakened strands and keeps colour looking fresh.

summer hair care treatments and masks Australia

Repairing Sun Damaged Hair At Home

If your hair feels crispy, frizzy, dull, or faded, UV and heat have taken a toll.

  • Moisture mask weekly: Look for aloe, shea butter, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and plant oils.
  • Strengthen every 1–2 weeks: Use bond builders or protein treatments.
  • Trim damaged ends: Snapped or dry ends can’t be repaired.
  • Protect going forward: Use UV leave-ins and hats.

These treatments are specifically designed to provide UV and heat protection:

How To Protect Coloured Hair In The Australian Summer

Coloured hair is the most vulnerable in summer. UV fragments pigment, chlorine strips it, and heat speeds up fading. If you want to extend hair colour between salon visits, use a routine built around colour protection.

  • Use a colour-safe product with UV protection: Choose leave-ins, treatments or styling creams with UV filters.
  • Wash less — use cool water: Hot water accelerates fade.
  • Repair weekly: Use bond or protein treatments.
  • Avoid over-toning: Tone only when brass appears.

protect coloured hair from sun Australian summer

Simple Summer Hair Habits To Stretch Your Salon Visit

Trying to save money or delay your next appointment? These habits help your colour last longer:

  • Rinse hair before swimming
  • Use a leave-in with UV protection daily
  • Wash less often
  • Choose colour-safe shampoo
  • Rinse with cool water
  • Wear a hat during peak UV hours
  • Use an at-home mask weekly

Summer Hair Care For Curly Hair

Curly hair is naturally more porous and prone to UV damage, dryness, and frizz. Summer requires extra hydration, gentle cleansing and sealing.

  • Hydrate first — always: Try Clever Curl Treatment as a leave-in.
    • Apply through hair using raking or praying-hands techniques.
    • Scrunch to encourage curls.
    • Dry using plopping, diffusing or air drying. For stronger definition, add Clever Curl Gel.
  • Use a curl-friendly heat protectant: Try EverEscents Organic Heat Protector.
  • Protect curls from sun exposure: Use UV leave-ins, hats or scarves.
  • Seal your curl pattern: Use gels, creams or oils.

dry vs hydrated curly hair comparison

Protecting Your Hair All Summer Long

The Australian summer demands more from your hair — but with a few smart habits and the right products, you can protect hair at home, maintain hydration, and make your hair colour last longer without sacrificing your budget or your next holiday.

If you need personalised recommendations, we’re always here to help you build the perfect summer-proof routine.

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