Most of us welcome the hot weather as an excuse to flee to coastal resorts and enjoy the beach and the sun. However, at the same time we may be dreading what the heat can do to our hair. No matter whether your hair is pin-straight, curly, thick or thin, the summer humidity can dry out your locks and leave your hair looking weighed down, extra frizzy or greasy to the touch, instead of sleek and shiny. Even the best summer day can turn into a bad hair day.

To win the battle with the frizz and keep bad hair days at bay, try these expert hair hacks:

Avoid frequent washing: Though the warm and humid days may tempt you to wash your hair more frequently, many stylists recommend washing less often in summer as a way of preserving your hair’s natural oils. Instead of using shampoo every time you wash your hair, try just rinsing it with warm water to take away some of the sweat and oils and then conditioning the ends. By not stripping out the natural oils with shampoo, you can help to create more healthy hair.    
                                               
Try keratin treatments: These can be a super-effective and increasingly popular option for fighting the frizz. The natural protein keratin smooths the hair and reduces frizz by creating a protective protein layer around the hair shaft, leaving it shiny and frizz free.

Opt for peppermint shampoo: When it’s really hot outside, try a peppermint shampoo to help cool off your scalp while helping your hair stay strong. You’ll love the way it feels on your head and how gorgeous your hair looks and smells after you style it.
         
Use moisturising products: Stepping up the moisture routine in summer can actually reduce frizz and help keep hair looking sleek and smooth. Good frizz defences start in the shower, as hydrating and deep-conditioning products are essential in keeping the frizz under control. Anti-humidity spray and anti-frizz protective fluid are also recommended as pre-styling, humidity fighting products that can reduce the effects of humidity and help keep the hair frizz-free without flattening.                                                           

Go wet: The summertime is one of the only times of the year when wet hair is cool, so take advantage of it when you’re having a bad hair day or when you simply don’t feel like doing it. After your shower, towel off and work in some gel so your hair stays wet throughout the day. You can also rub humidity- or frizz-fighting mousse between your hands and work it through your hair from the roots to the ends. If your hair is straight and fine, skip the mousse and apply a smoothing serum over your hair instead.

Use coconut oil: If your hair is really dry especially on the ends, take some coconut oil in your palm and rub it into the ends of your hair for a few minutes before washing it out with shampoo. This can lead to healthier-looking hair.

Style your hair: Trying a new cut is another way to beat the humidity. If you have long hair, loose, beachy braids and messy buns are popular options for summer glamour. A sleek pixie cut can also help to beat the heat and humidity. Though a short cut can be a little scary, an adorable pixie cut will keep you looking gorgeous.

Try apple cider vinegar: Before you shampoo, massage some apple cider vinegar into your hair and keep it there for a few minutes before shampooing it out. Afterwards, you’ll see a difference as your hair will be smoother, shinier and completely frizz-free.

Rinse your hair with cold water: Great frizz control starts with the right water temperature, as cooler water temperatures can keep the frizz down once it’s time to blow-dry. Rinse your hair with cool water to seal the shingles and get them ready for styling. Too much exposure to heat will only dry your hair out, making any frizz even more unbearable.

Embrace your natural texture: Let your hair go wavy or curly. Lots of stylists recommend ditching your hairdryer altogether and air-drying in the humid summer months to get a flowing, beachy look.    
                                                            
Turn on the cold air: While a good blowout with a hairdryer requires heat to thoroughly dry your hair, using the cool-air setting on your dryer can stop the frizz before it gets out of hand. Shoot your entire head with the cold-air setting upside down, running your hands through your hair to get supermodel bombshell hair without the frizz.

 *A version of this article appears in print in the 4 July, 2019 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Beating the heat and humidity