Is it wrong to admit that hair washing in summer feels like more of a chore than it should? Yes, your scalp is sweltering by day, and you’re waking up with damp, tangled hair stuck to your pillow in the morning. It's not ideal, but honestly? The thought of sticking your already-overheated head under a boiling hot hairdryer is anything but appealing, especially when your energy feels so sapped by the muggy climate.
But before you pick the snooze button over shampooing, consider the facts. ‘When the temperature is hot, not only do you have the oil glands secreting more oil onto the scalp, the sweat glands are also very active,’ warns trichologist and Absolute Collagen ambassador Eva Proudman. ‘This makes for a very moist environment that can cause the microbiome of the scalp to become imbalanced. The natural yeasts on the scalp can become overactive.’
And, spoiler alert, that’s not good for you.
Why does it matter if I don’t wash my hair enough?
You might think of shampoo in terms of what it does for your hair, but the benefits for your scalp are even more key. ‘If you don’t wash your hair and, more importantly, your scalp often enough, you can find that itching, flaking and inflammation appear,’ says Eva. ‘The overactive yeasts can lead to conditions such as dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis.’
Alongside an aggravated and flaky scalp, you’re likely to see your hair being impacted.
‘Excess oils can cause frizz and tamper with your style,’ says Anabel Kingsley, trichologist for Philip Kingsley.
Not shampooing enough can also leave you open to itchy, sore eyes. ‘If you suffer from hay fever, shampooing can wash away aggravating pollen that is clinging to your strands,’ Anabel says.
Regular washing can even help mitigate the damaging impact of pollution on your hair, adds Eva. ‘We’re outside more in summer, which exposes the hair to free radical damage from the environment,’ she says. ‘Washing with a good quality shampoo and conditioner, like Absolute Collagen’s, helps to reduce the damage and to keep the hair well managed.’
How often should I be washing my hair in summer?
It depends on your hair type. ‘Ideally we advise washing every day or every other day to keep the scalp calm and balanced; however for people with curly hair this can be a challenge so washing every three days is a good benchmark to follow,’ says Eva.
Anabel notes that you don’t necessarily need to wash more in summer. ‘Really, you should shampoo regularly year-round. Cleansing your scalp keeps it healthy which is essential to hair growth. Each season has its challenges – summer is sweatier, but dandruff is more common in winter. Listen to your hair and scalp. If your strands are limp or greasy, or your scalp is itchy or irritated, you should shampoo.’
How can I get the best from my hair wash?
The biggest mistake, and especially in summer, is to spend more time lathering up your lengths rather than getting to the root of the matter. ‘Shampooing is about cleansing your scalp, which is skin – so give it the most attention,’ says Anabel. ‘Don’t rub or yank at your hair when you shampoo. Instead, massage your scalp with your fingertips for approximately one minute, making sure to touch all areas – the sides, top, crown, back, front hairline and behind your ears. Gently squeeze suds through your lengths and then rinse until the water runs clear.’
Help, my scalp is itchy! How can I calm it quickly?
First, think about what’s causing the problem. If itching is caused by a build-up of sweat and an imbalance, look to a medicated, scalp-calming shampoo. ‘Swap out your regular shampoo for an anti-dandruff one,’ advises Anabel. Shampoo daily to every other day until itching subsides.’
In the Good Housekeeping Institute’s testing, Head & Shoulders Citrus Fresh Anti Dandruff Shampoo was found to be the best dandruff shampoo. Eva recommends Juniper Therapy shampoo to calm and rebalance the scalp: 'It stops the itching and is also anti-mitotic so slows down cell turnover and activity to quickly rebalance the scalp.’
If you’re in need of immediate relief to an infuriatingly itchy scalp, ‘apply a soothing, anti-microbial scalp toner,’ advises Anabel. ‘I love our Flaky/Itchy Scalp Toner, which instantly calms irritation.’ Using something like witch hazel on the scalp is a good option, adds Eva.
It’s easier said than done, but do try to not to scratch your scalp. ‘This can cause infection and can pull out hair too,’ says Eva.
Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Anti-Dandruff Scalp Toner
My scalp is still itchy, what’s wrong?
It’s worth considering another big factor that could be making your head unhappy. ‘One of the most common causes of an itchy scalp in summer is UV exposure,’ says Anabel. ‘UV rays can damage, dry and burn the skin on your scalp.’
Prevention is, of course, the best remedy. ‘Be sure to protect your scalp from the sun with a hat and/or by applying sunblock to any exposed areas, like your parting,’ says Anabel. Too late for that? ‘If your scalp has got sunburnt, use soothing products containing aloe vera to sooth irritation, then keep it completely out of the sun until it heals.’
