Summer Hair Survival Guide: How to Protect Your Color from Sun, Salt, and Chlorine

Woman with wet hair by the pool — showing the effects of sun, salt, and chlorine on color-treated hair for a summer hair care survival guide.

Summer is the season of sunshine, pool parties, and beach days—but it’s also one of the harshest times of year for your hair, especially if it’s color-treated. Whether you’re rocking a fresh balayage, bold highlights, or a rich base color, keeping your hair vibrant and healthy during summer takes a little extra care. At Elan Hair, we’re here to help you protect your investment and enjoy healthy, radiant hair all season long.

Why Summer Is So Harsh on Color-Treated Hair

When the temperature rises, your hair becomes more vulnerable to environmental damage. UV rays can cause color to fade, chlorine from pools can strip moisture and turn blondes green, and salty ocean water can dry hair out and roughen the cuticle. Combined with frequent washing and heat styling, these summer elements can leave your color dull and your strands parched.

Top Tips for Protecting Your Hair Color This Summer

1. Shield Your Strands from the Sun

Just like your skin, your hair needs sun protection too. Prolonged sun exposure can break down the structure of color molecules, leading to noticeable fading—especially in red, blonde, and pastel shades.

Elan Hair Tip: Use UV-protectant hair products like Oribe Invisible Defense Universal Protection Spray or Kérastase Soleil Huile Sirène to create a protective barrier against UV rays. These products not only defend your color but also nourish your hair with every spritz.

2. Pre-Treat Before You Swim

Before jumping into the pool or ocean, wet your hair with clean water and apply a leave-in conditioner. This helps saturate your strands, making them less likely to absorb damaging chlorine or salt.

Elan Hair Recommends: Use Kevin.Murphy’s LEAVE-IN.REPAIR or Oribe’s Priming Lotion Leave-In Conditioning Detangler before swimming to hydrate and coat your hair in protective moisture.

3. Deep Condition Weekly

Hydration is key to maintaining color-treated hair, and summer can quickly dehydrate your strands. Weekly deep conditioning treatments help restore moisture, repair damage, and prevent breakage.

Ask your stylist at Elan Hair about Kérastase Masque Chromatique for colored hair or Kevin.Murphy’s HYDRATE-ME.MASQUE to combat dryness and revive your shine.

4. Rinse Immediately After Swimming

Salt and chlorine can continue to damage hair if left sitting for too long. After your dip, rinse your hair with clean water as soon as possible to prevent buildup and dryness.

5. Minimize Heat Styling

While summer may tempt you into daily curling or blow-drying, overdoing it can accelerate color fading and cause stress to your hair. Embrace air-dried styles, loose braids, or beachy waves for a naturally chic summer look.

Want the perfect blowout without the damage? Book a professional blowout at Elan Hair—our stylists use top-tier heat protectants and techniques to minimize stress on your hair.

Time for a Mid-Summer Refresh?

If your color’s starting to look brassy or faded, consider a gloss treatment, toner refresh, or conditioning color boost at Elan Hair. These services revive your tone, add shine, and lock in moisture—perfect for a quick summer pick-me-up.

Protect Your Color, Love Your Summer Look

Summer doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your color. With the right products, treatments, and a little TLC, you can enjoy long days in the sun without compromising your hair’s health and vibrancy.

Ready to refresh your summer color or need personalized recommendations for your hair type? Call Elan Hair at 615.269.0222, visit us at www.elannashville.com/hair, or book your appointment online today. Our experienced stylists are here to help you keep your color fresh, your hair healthy, and your summer stress-free.