Sun, Sweat & Woes – 10 Common Summer Hair and Skin Problems

“Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.” — Russell Baker

Summer‘s here! Our skin and hair often tell a different story. The scorching sun, the constant battle with sweat, and humidity can wreak havoc on our appearance. Let us delve into the most common summer hair and skin problems that arise during the hotter months. Also, let us see some tips that we can follow to keep a healthy and radiant appearance throughout.

Table of Contents

Common summer Hair problems –

Dry Scalp

Summers can make the scalp feel dry, itchy, and flaky.

Not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration and hence contribute to itchy and dry scalp.
Heat and humidity take a toll on the scalp as well as the hair.
The overexposure to the sun can sunburn the scalp leading to irritation and flakiness of the scalp.

Frizzy Hair

For most people, poofy hair is the most common summer issue. Here’s how the hair gets frizzy –

The air is full of moisture and the hair strand absorbs it making the shaft swell and the cuticle lift.
The UV radiations make the hair dry and brittle therefore making it susceptible to humidity.
Using heat for styling can damage the hair and make it prone to frizz.

Hair fall

Losing around 50-100 hair on any common summer day is normal. It should not be a cause of concern unless you are losing more hair than usual. A few reasons for hair fall are –

The direct sun rays can damage the follicles of hair on top of that they also lose hydration making the hair brittle.
The sweat buildup can clog the pores and interfere with the hair growth cycle.
If you like to swim a lot then that also poses as a problem. Chlorine in the water can strip all the natural oils of the hair leading to dryness.
The hormonal changes especially testosterone can lead to seasonal hair fall in summer and fall.

Greasy Hair

Oily scalp is a very common summer woe we face. Here’s why the hair gets greasy –

The sebum glands start producing more oil to compensate for the loss of hydration. The excess oil weighs the hair and makes it look greasy.
Sweat makes the hair even greasier.
Overexposure to the sun damages the follicles hence triggering sebum production.
Wearing hats can trap the heat and sweat on the scalp hence stimulating oil production.

Faded Hair Colour

The sun can take a toll on the dyed hair as the ultraviolet rays can break the colour pigment of the hair reducing the vibrancy and hence making it dull.

Common summer Skin problems –

Prickly Heat

Also called heat rash or miliaria is a very common summer problem faced by many, especially by younger children and babies. Sweat gets trapped in the skin and irritates the skin. Some of the symptoms are –

the appearance of tiny red bumps on the skin
Prickling sensation
Mostly in the chest, back, and shoulder area

Dry skin

The skin gets very dry in summer and some of the major reasons are –

Being in direct sun damages the skin barrier leading to dryness.
The humidity can impact the natural moisture of the skin making it feel tight and unhealthy.
The air conditioner is another major contributor which dries the skin.
Chlorine in the pool water can irritate the skin and remove the natural oils from the skin.

Sunburn

Being in the sun for too long and not using sunscreen can cause sunburn and cause redness, pain, and blisters on the skin. UV-B rays can penetrate the outer layer of the skin and damage the DNA. UV-A rays penetrate deeper and cause premature ageing. People with fair skin and hair and lighter eyes are more susceptible to skin damage.

Body Odour

It is a very common summer issue faced by everyone so, let’s look at some common reasons why that could be –

Hot weather increases sweating which leads to more of an unpleasant smell.
Bacteria on the skin break down the sweat into acids leading to stronger odour.
Wearing tight-fitted clothes and not drinking enough water increases the stench.

Hyperpigmentation

The skin becomes dark in patches and summer worsens the situation. Let’s look at how the sun impacts the pigmentation –

The ultraviolet radiation from the sun can increase the production of melanin which gives the skin its pigment.
The sweat and heat can also trigger the melanin production.
Solar lentigines or sun spots are the most common times of hyperpigmentation where sun exposure forms brown spots.

Tips And Tricks To Keep The Common Summer Problems Away –

Complete your daily quota of water
Eat a balanced diet
Incorporate summer fruits
Wear sunscreen when going out.
Try avoiding direct sunlight as much as possible
Wash your hair regularly but not too often
Keep moisturizing your skin but with a lightweight moisturizer
Take your Hair Supplement Gummies

Summing Up –

Summer doesn’t have to be a battle against your hair and skin. By understanding how the season affects your body and incorporating these tips into your routine, you can keep your locks luscious and your complexion glowing. The more you prioritize sun protection, hydration, and proper care, the better equipped your hair and skin will be to handle the heat and fun that summer brings. So, embrace the sunshine, but do so smartly, and enjoy the season with healthy, radiant hair and skin