10 tips for summer hair health

• Don’t shampoo before hitting the beach

  You’ll strip your hair of some of the natural oils that help protect it from the damaging effects of sun and sea salt or chlorine. Do rinse your hair before you swim, though, as wet hair will soak up less chlorine and salt than dry locks.

• Drink plenty of water

  Hydrating every part of your body helps to keep it conditioned – and this applies to hair as well as to the skin and other organs. Drinking plenty of water will help to prevent hair breakage and keep your locks strong and healthy.

• Use a leave-in conditioner with an SPF factor

  You can buy hair products with build-in sunscreen that you spray on to your hair before going out in the sun. These can help protect your hair from the drying effects of the sun as well as reducing colour fade. There are after-sun deep conditioning masks available, too.

• Treat your hair before flying

  Flying has a dehydrating effect on the whole body because of the altitude and low humidity involved, which is why it’s always advisable to drink plenty of water while in the air. For the same reason, it’s a great idea to apply a spritz of hair moisturising spray every hour during your flight.

• Rinse with cool water after conditioning

  This will encourage the hair cuticles to lie flat, which leaves hair with a smoother, more reflective surface, giving the appearance of high gloss.

• Step up the protein

  Hair is made from keratin, which is a kind of protein. Eating more protein, such as that found in lean meat, chicken, beans, fish and nuts, feeds the hair as well as the rest of your body.

• Use a detangling product before combing wet hair

  Wet hair is extra vulnerable to breakage, especially when it’s tangled. Help to keep the cuticle moisturised and easier to separate by applying a detangling product before you attempt to comb or brush it. These come as creams or sprays.

• Use apple cider vinegar for extra shine

  A final rinse of a solution of apple cider vinegar for brown and red hair, or lemon juice for blonde (one part vinegar/lemon juice to four parts water) will leave your hair looking glossy, silky and healthy.

• Have a good trim every six weeks

  Regular trimming gives hair a blunt finish, which makes it look thicker and glossier than if you have split ends. Cutting split ends regularly will prevent them from spreading up the hair shaft.

• Wear a hat in strong sunshine

  Protecting your hair from the elements will help to preserve its condition, especially if you cover it with a hat or scarf in extreme heat and strong sunlight to stop it from drying out and to prevent colour fade.

• Next Up: Easy steps to reducing your cholesterol

  There are two types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is bad for you, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is helpful.

See also:

• Easy steps to reducing your cholesterol