How Do I Keep My Hair Extensions Healthy During Summer?
Discover How to Prep Your Hair for Your Summer Holiday
Summer is officially here, bringing sunshine, pool days and beach escapes. While we're all chasing effortless beach hair, it's important to remember that sun, chlorine, salt water and heat can take a serious toll on both your natural hair and hair extensions.
Without the right protection, summer exposure can leave hair feeling dry, dull, tangled and harder to manage. The good news is - with the right summer haircare routine, you can help protect your hair before damage happens and restore hydration afterwards.
Read our expert guide to keeping your hair and extensions looking soft, shiny and healthy all summer long.
Why Does Summer Damage Hair Extensions?
Summer brings several environmental factors that can affect the condition and appearance of your hair extensions.
How Does Chlorine Affect Hair Extensions?
High chlorine levels in swimming pools can strip moisture from the hair and leave extensions feeling dry, brittle and more prone to tangling. Blonde hair extensions can be particularly susceptible to unwanted discolouration after repeated exposure to chlorinated water.
At Beauty Works, we recommend avoiding chlorinated water where possible, as chlorine exposure may cause irreversible damage to hair extensions.
How Do UV Rays Damage Hair?
Just as UV rays can damage skin, they can also weaken the hair fibre. Prolonged sun exposure can strip moisture from the lengths, causing hair to become dry, frizzy and more vulnerable to breakage.
UV rays can also fade both natural hair colour and hair extensions, leaving hair looking dull and less vibrant.
Can Sun Cream Cause Hair Extension Discolouration?
Avobenzone is a common ingredient in many sun creams, known for its effective protection against both UVA and UVB rays. However, it is notorious for causing chemical reactions that result in hair discolouration. Opt for sun creams that do not contain avobenzone to keep your extensions safe. This ingredient binds with iron particles in water, creating rust-like stains on hair. By avoiding avobenzone, you can maintain the life of your extensions throughout the summer.
How Does Hard Water Affect Hair Extensions?
Hard water is water that has a higher level of alkaline/mineral content. This depends on where you are in the world, with certain locations worse than others. If you go abroad and experience a higher level of alkaline than what your hair is used to, it can cause colour to fade or turn orange/pink in tone. The build-up of iron content in water over time will mean you need to have your hair coloured or hair extensions toned or neutralised with specific shampoos to counteract the discolouration.
How Can You Protect Hair And Extensions During Summer?
The good news is that summer hair damage isn't inevitable. With the right products and aftercare routine, you can help protect your hair before exposure and restore hydration afterwards, keeping your lengths looking soft, shiny and healthy all season long.
How Can You Wash And Protect Hair After Summer Exposure?
After days spent in the sun, sea or pool, it's important to remove chlorine, salt water, SPF residue and environmental build-up from the hair.
For everyday cleansing, the Beauty Works Pearl Nourishing Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner help nourish and repair the hair using argan oil-rich ingredients, leaving lengths feeling softer, smoother and shinier.
For deeper cleansing during summer, the Beauty Works Solaré Cleanse Shampoo is designed to remove chlorine, sea salt and mineral build-up without stripping the hair of moisture. Enriched with Fermented Rice Water, rich in amino acids, antioxidants and B vitamins, it helps leave hair feeling refreshed, lightweight and manageable after exposure to summer elements.
For best results, incorporate a deeper cleanse once or twice a week throughout the season.
How Can You Keep Hair Hydrated During Summer?
Heat, humidity, UV exposure and swimming can all leave hair feeling dehydrated and harder to manage. Maintaining moisture levels is essential for preventing dryness and helping both natural hair and extensions stay soft and healthy-looking.
The Beauty Works Argan Serum and Pearl Nourishing Mask remain summer staples, helping to replenish moisture, boost shine and improve overall condition.
For hair that has been exposed to long days in the sun, the Beauty Works Solaré Hydration Mask provides an additional boost of hydration. Formulated with Fermented Rice Water and Seaweed Extract, it helps replenish lost moisture while supporting smoother, softer and more manageable lengths.
Apply after shampooing and leave on for 5–10 minutes for an intensive conditioning treatment.
How Can You Protect Hair From UV Damage?
The combination of sunlight, heat and environmental exposure can leave hair vulnerable to moisture loss, colour fading and breakage. Alongside wearing a hat, incorporating UV protection into your daily routine can help shield the hair from summer damage.
The Beauty Works Solaré UV Leave-In Conditioning Mist has been specifically developed for summer haircare. This lightweight leave-in formula helps protect hair and extensions from UV exposure while supporting hydration, softness and shine. Enriched with Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, Coconut Oil and Shea Butter, it's ideal for holidays, beach days and everyday summer protection.
The Beauty Works 10-in-1 Miracle Spray also remains a great option for adding moisture, manageability and UV protection throughout the warmer months.
Why Is Heat Protection Important During Summer?
Summer temperatures can already place additional stress on the hair, making heat protection even more important when using styling tools.
Regular use of straighteners, curling wands and hair dryers can contribute to dryness, colour fading and breakage if the hair isn't properly protected.
Using Beauty Works Heat Protection Spray helps create a protective barrier against heat damage, allowing you to continue styling your favourite looks while maintaining healthier-looking lengths.
How Can You Prevent Frizz In Humid Weather?
Humidity can cause the hair cuticle to lift, resulting in frizz, flyaways and loss of smoothness.
Beauty Works Dream Shine is a heat-activated treatment designed to help combat humidity while enhancing shine. The specialist formula coats the hair to help smooth the cuticle, reducing frizz and creating a sleek, polished finish.
Apply to damp hair before blow-drying to activate the treatment and keep your hair looking smooth even in humid conditions.
How Can You Prevent Blonde Hair From Turning Brassy In Summer?
Blonde hair can be particularly vulnerable to discolouration during summer due to chlorine, hard water and UV exposure.
If your blonde tones begin to look warmer after a holiday, using Beauty Works Anti-Yellow Shampoo can help neutralise unwanted brassiness and restore cooler tones.
How Should You Detangle Hair Extensions During Summer?
Proper brushing and detangling are essential for maintaining healthy hair extensions all year round, but especially during summer.
Start by spraying your hair with then 10-in-1 Miracle Spray to loosen any tangles. Then, use a Detangling Brush to gently remove knots while distributing natural oils throughout the hair. This helps minimise breakage and maintain smooth, healthy-looking lengths.
Never sleep with wet hair. Hair is more vulnerable to stretching, tangling and breakage when wet, making it important to brush through and dry your hair thoroughly before bed.
Why Is Summer Hair Protection So Important?
Protecting your hair during summer is just as important as protecting your skin.
Daily exposure to UV rays, chlorine, salt water, heat and humidity can leave hair feeling dehydrated, dull and harder to manage over time, especially when wearing hair extensions. By incorporating a simple routine focused on protection, cleansing and hydration, you can help maintain softer, shinier and healthier-looking hair throughout the season.
Whether you're heading abroad, spending weekends by the pool or making the most of the sunshine at home, taking a little extra care of your hair now can help keep your lengths looking their best long after summer ends.
Looking for more expert haircare advice, styling inspiration and the latest product launches? Follow Beauty Works on Instagram and TikTok, where we share our top tips, tutorials and trending hair looks to help you get the most from your hair and extensions.
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Discover How to Prep Your Hair for Your Summer Holiday
Summer is officially here and we're ready for sun, sea and sand - but is your hair prepared? Everyone wants that beach babe look but make sure you’re in the know about the potential damage being in the sun can cause for your own hair and hair extensions. Read our top tips on how to keep your locks looking luxe this summer and get your hair vacay ready.
Chlorine
High chlorine levels in swimming pools have the potential to cause discolouration and damage to your hair extensions. No one wants that telltale greenish tint to their hair, so avoid getting your extensions wet in chlorine altogether, particularly with blonde shades. Chlorine content also strips the hair’s natural lubricant, sebum, leaving your hair dry and brittle.
UV rays
We all know the dangers of UV rays to our skin, but have you thought about the impact on your hair? UV strips the colour and moisture from your hair extensions, causing them to become dry, frizzy, and more susceptible to breakage. Wearing a hat to reduce exposure is advisable as well as using protection on the hair, such as a UV spray. Beauty Works 10 in 1 Miracle Spray is a great option as it includes UV protection.
Avoid Contact Between Hair Extensions and Sun Cream
Sun cream, while protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, can unfortunately cause unwanted reactions with hair extensions. Ingredients in sun cream, especially avobenzone, can lead to discolouration, turning your extensions into an unintended shade. Always ensure your extensions are safely tied up or covered when applying sun cream to avoid direct contact.
Choose a Sun Cream Without Avobenzone
Avobenzone is a common ingredient in many sun creams, known for its effective protection against both UVA and UVB rays. However, it is notorious for causing chemical reactions that result in hair discolouration. Opt for sun creams that do not contain avobenzone to keep your extensions safe. This ingredient binds with iron particles in water, creating rust-like stains on hair. By avoiding avobenzone, you can maintain the life of your extensions throughout the summer.
Hard water
Hard water is water that has a higher level of alkaline/mineral content. This depends on where you are in the world, with certain locations worse than others. If you go abroad and experience a higher level of alkaline than what your hair is used to, it can cause colour to fade or turn orange/pink in tone. The build-up of iron content in water over time will mean you need to have your hair coloured or hair extensions toned or neutralised with specific shampoos to counteract the discolouration. A clarifying shampoo has virtually the same goals as a hair detox. They both remove residue, minerals, and oils. The key difference lies in the active ingredients. Try the Beauty Works Clarifying Shampoo to combat minerals, effective at washing away mineral deposits from chemicals like chlorine or even hard water.
So now you know the risks, here’s how to combat summer hair damage…
Wash & Protect
Investing in a good quality shampoo and conditioner is vital for keeping your hair and hair extensions in top condition. Beauty Works Pearl Nourishing Argan Oil Shampoo and Pearl Nourishing Argan Oil Conditioner use specially formulated Argan Oil fortified ingredients to nourish and repair. Argan Oil is extremely rich in nutrients, including fatty acids and vitamin E, scientifically proven to make hair softer, silkier and shinier.
Nourish & Replenish
With high exposure to heat, humidity and sun on holiday, it’s important to keep your hair conditioned and hydrated. Giving your hair some TLC is vital during the summer months, to prevent it from becoming damaged. Our Argan Serum and Pearl Nourishing Mask are rich in Vitamin E, so they are great for keeping your hair nourished and boosting shine.
UV Shield
The chemical reaction between chlorine and sunlight causes discolouration to chemically coloured hair. You may have noticed that after you come back from holiday your hair colour has been altered by the sun – this is EXACTLY the same for your hair extensions. Try to keep your hair out of direct sunlight, where possible, by wearing a hat. A UV spray, such as Beauty Works 10 in 1 Miracle Spray, is ESSENTIAL for summer haircare.
Heat Barrier
The heat of summer is already damaging to your hair, but adding in heated styling tools can put even more strain on your locks. Using a Heat Protection Spray will help, not only with damage to the cuticle, but it will prevent the hair from changing colour. This is particularly noticeable with mid shafts to ends, where you will hold the styling tool for a longer period of time. Keep using your fave tools without worrying about damage with Beauty Works Heat Protection Spray.
Anti-Frizz
Beauty Works Dream Shine is a heat-activated preventative treatment for your hair. Our specialist formula acts as a humidity shield, sealing individual hair cuticles and split ends to fight frizz and fly-aways, coating the hair with a dream-like polish for super shiny, healthy-looking locks. After shampooing and conditioning, apply Dream Shine to damp hair and blow-dry to activate.
Discolouration
Keeping your blonde hair blonde can be an endless struggle with sun, chlorine, and hard water leading to harsh, brassy tones in the hair. When you return from holiday and find your hair has potentially gone a warmer tone, ssing the Beauty Works Anti-Yellow Shampoo will help to neutralise those brassy tones restoring cooler tones to your blonde hair. Additionally, using the Beauty Works Clarifying Shampoo will help fight off the minerals that cause discoloration, ensuring your blonde stays vibrant and cool-toned.
For example:
Green neutralises Red
Blue neutralises Orange
Violet neutralises Yellow
They work by cancelling out colours opposite to them on the colour wheel. Always seek professional advice from a trained hairstylist before toning or using anti-yellow products on your hair or hair extensions.
Detangle
Use a Boar Bristle Brush to detangle the hair, spread natural oils and minimise breakage. Never sleep with your hair wet… ever! Hair is more vulnerable to tangling when wet, whilst also being heavier when wet, making breakage more likely. You will do more potential damage to your own hair and the hair extensions if you don’t brush out and dry your hair off straight away.
Take a look at Molly-Mae's hair care video on how to properly maintain and care for your extensions using our Anti-Yellow Shampoo, Anti-Yellow Conditioner, and 10-in-1 Miracle Spray to neutralise yellow discolouration and banish brass, restoring the cooler tones to blonde hair.
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