How to Prevent—and Reverse—Summer Hair Damage

When it comes to summer hair, you might envision tousled beach waves, romantic braids, and sun-kissed highlights, but in reality, the season is one of the worst periods for your strands. Damaging UV rays from the scorching sun and dry summer air—not to mention the chlorine and saltwater—can leave your mane looking dull, brassy, frizzy, and brittle.

"These free radicals attack the keratin (especially the cystine bonds responsible for hair strength and elasticity) in your hair, making it more porous and prone to damage," says Joseph Maine, celebrity hairstylist and co-founder of Trademark Beauty. "UV rays also weaken the protective lipid layer on the surface of your hair, making it feel rough and look dull. If you have colored hair, it breaks down both melanin and artificial colorants in your hair, causing your color to fade or lighten."

And while textured beach waves are nice in theory, both saltwater and chlorine are loaded with minerals and metals that build up in your hair, leaving it depleted of moisture (hence the crunchy texture). "Calcium puts a white film on your hair while chlorine adds a green tint," adds Maine.

So how can you counteract summer hair damage? Like skin damage, experts say the best way to tackle hair damage is by preventing it. "In addition to using a leave-in conditioner or product with UV filters, wearing a hat while in the sun is a great way to protect your hair and hair color," says Maine. "If you're going swimming, pre-wet your hair with filtered water before you get in, or use a swim cap."

But if your hair is already damaged, don't worry—there are still ways to restore the lost hydration come September. We asked Maine and Devin Rahal, a hairstylist in New York City, about the best types of products to repair summer-ravaged hair. Here are some of the winning selects from each category.