Hair Care: Summer Scalp Saviors

Summer is here, and the time is right for everything under the sun. Vacations in the sand mean golden suntans, sea salt sprays in hand, and piña coladas on demand. So, before you head out to the shore and bare it all under the summer sun, make sure you protect your skin (SPF is a must) and your scalp to ensure your strands stay healthy and strong all summer long.

What’s so special about the scalp? While being at the top of your head, the scalp often gets overlooked in favor of the hair itself. The truth is, if you want to have healthy hair, you need to start with the scalp. Hair grows out of individual follicles on the scalp, and much like the skin on your face, the scalp is susceptible to irritation, dryness, oiliness, and product buildup. Much like choosing a skincare routine to solve your skin concerns, taking proper care of your scalp positively affects the health of your hair.

It is vital to protect your scalp and your strands during the summer from the damage caused by overexposure to things like sun, salt, and chlorine. “The most important thing you can do is protect your scalp,” explains Sheridan Ward, British-born and LA-based celebrity hairstylist who works with Nicole Kidman and Lana Del Ray. “Your scalp is just as fragile as the skin on your face and body, if not more susceptible to burning, itching, and flaking caused by harsh products, chemicals, and other environmental factors.”

Ward’s top tips for saving your scalp this summer?

1. Wear a hat.
2. Apply an SPF to your scalp before you head to the beach. Yes, it works. The key is to choose a lightweight, water-based sunscreen that will absorb quickly without leaving your hair greasy. Try Ward’s go-to, the Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense SPF 30 from Drunk Elephant.
3. Throw your hair up in a messy bun. Pulling your hair up and securing it at the top of your head helps cover the scalp, protecting it from damaging UV rays.

Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer™ Physical Daily Defense SPF 30, $34

Available at: Sephora

Christophe Robin Volume Shampoo Paste with Rassoul Clay and Rose Extracts

Maintaining a balanced, healthy scalp requires the right product to address the condition of the scalp. An oily scalp needs frequent cleansing to avoid excess oil and product buildup that causes the hair follicle to become blocked. “If you have an oily scalp, make sure to wash your hair immediately after sun exposure, swimming in the pool or the ocean. Salt and chemicals irritate and unbalance the scalp, which in turn, affects the growth and health of the hair,” explains Ward. He recommends the Volume Shampoo Paste with Rassoul Clay and Rose Extracts, from Christophe Robin. This subtle yet superb rose-scented exfoliating paste gently detoxifies the scalp and cleanses away impurities while enhancing volume and shine. Use once a week to reset your scalp and revive lackluster locks.

Available: Sephora

Virtue Topical Scalp Supplement

Dry scalps, on the other hand, crave moisture. Avoid over-washing, excessive heat styling, and alcohol-based haircare products, which can damage the scalp and cause hair breakage. Restore scalp and strands with the Topical Scalp Supplement from Virtue. Packed with ceramides, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, this fast-absorbing scalp savior nourishes, soothes, and rebalances dry and sensitive scalps for strong, youthful, and healthy hair.

Available: Violet Grey

The bottom line. Treat your scalp with care for strong, healthy hair.

Lisa Blair

Lisa Blair, Founder BEAUTY VIKING, INC, A veteran of the beauty industry, Lisa has over 20 years’ experience as a global makeup artist, spokesperson, educator, and sales leader for prestige beauty brands such as Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Bare Minerals, Cosmedicine, Ole Henriksen, and Kate Somerville. With more than two decades of experience in the cosmetics industry, Lisa opted in 2016 to start a business that could do exclusively what she loved to do and had made a name for herself doing: create training and marketing platforms for category leading and emerging brands. What differentiates the Viking way is seeing every single component as crucial to the brand’s success. These components include sales team empowerment and development, education curricula, branding, and social media presence that precede trends, answer questions, excite, empower, and make loyal the audience. Lisa holds a B.A. in the History of Art from Ithaca College. She has certifications in all areas of education and training and has traveled the globe extensively in her career. Lisa lives in Los Angeles, CA with her husband, Daniele and 13-year-old son, Luca.