While we look forward to summer weather all year long, it can be an odd time for business. The months of May & June start off strong with graduations, proms, and weddings, then it starts to die down until school starts in August or September. If you're looking to drum up more business in the hotter months, education might be the key! While summer is all about sun, pools, and beach vacays - these can actually be the most damaging elements for our hair.

What causes hair damage in the summer?

Summer sun, humidity, pool chlorine, and ocean saltwater can all lead to damaged hair regardless of all the fun there is to be had. Dermatologist Jessica J Krant, MD, MPH says that UV rays can actually "cook the hair shaft"! Not sure about you, but that is not the kind of BBQ I was looking forward to this summer. We all know humidity is the worst when it comes to frizz but frizz is actually causing long lasting damage too. As hair soaks up the moisture in the air, the hair shaft is swelling and breaking causing frizz and split ends. Ever heard of the old tale that chlorine turns blonde hair green? It's true! Chlorine and other pool chemicals contain copper molecules that when mixed with cool blonde hues, turn hair an icky green color. Even if your hair isn't blonde, you're not in the clear either - chlorine strips the natural oils of your hair making it dry and stunts growth. Saltwater may be great for a beachy, lived-in texture but saturating it all day on your beach vacation is literally sucking all of the moisture out of your hair, as salt does.

What does summer damage look like?

Unlike heat or chemical damage, it may not be super easy to spot summer damaged hair on everyone. If your hair is colored, you'll notice faded, brassy or bleached tones. If you're rocking your natural color, your hair will feel dry and rough on the outer cuticle.

What services can you offer in the salon to help prevent summer damage?

Summer Trim

Offer: a signature haircut with an added shampoo and deep conditioning treatment Retail: masks, leave-ins, heat protectant Design.Me Gloss.Me Treatment Mask is a hydrating treatment mask that enhances hair’s resilience and strength for shining locks. This unique formula is made of cannabis sativa seed oil, hydrolyzed soy protein, moringa seed oil, rice brand oil and argan oil. Design.Me Fab.Me Leave-In Treatment is a lightweight, 18-in-1 styling product that will offer detangling, UV protection, & heat protection among fifteen other benefits that you can read about here. A great summer tip to share with your client and their freshly chopped hair, is to soak their hair in the shower with fresh water before swimming in chlorine or saltwater to prevent the "bad" water from filling the hair shaft. After soaking, apply a leave-in to coat each strand. Be careful of those "money saving trends" about applying sunscreen to the hair, it could turn blonde hair or extensions bright orange if it contains Avebenzone (Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane) and Octocrylene. Instead, keep products that contain UV protection on hand!

Summer Sun-Kissed

Offer: babylights, balayage, highlights, face framing pieces Retail: purple shampoo, color protecting shampoo & conditioner Keracolor Color + Clenditioner in Platinum is the perfect, subtle purple hue to combat unwanted brassy tones. Color + Clenditioner is a non-lathering conditioning cleanser that also deposits color pigments, leaving the hair cleaned, toned, and super soft. To tone while you style, try Keracolor Toning drops in violet or gold by mixing 1-3 drops (for subtle toning results) or 4-10 (for deeper toning) with your favorite leave-in or cream based product. Purple or toning shampoos should only be used once a week, in the meantime check out the Hempz line of shampoos & conditioners. (Yes, *that* lotion brand Hempz makes haircare too!) With the same amazing scents as their famous lotions, these are a super easy sell in your salon. Hempz Blushing Grapefruit & Raspberry Creme Color Preserving Shampoo and Conditioner will help extend the life of color by adding vibrancy and shine with every wash. 

Humidity Proof Braids

Offer: protective styles with a clarifying shampoo & moisturizing scalp treatment Retail: moisturizing scalp care, satin sleep cap or turban The options are endless when it comes to styling natural hair! Protective styles are amazing for protecting hair from damage, allowing growth and scalp care to be the primary goal. Knotless braids (pictured), box braids, or twisted styles can be low-tension options to keep hair under control. Start your service with a clarifying shampoo to remove product build up and finish with a moisturizing scalp treatment. Lisap Keraplant Skin Calming Lotion is a great take-home product for clients to treat their scalp as it may be tender for a few days after service, but also ensures that their scalp stays hydrated. Protective styles usually last a few weeks before needing a touch-up with proper care and sleep protection like the Diane Satin Lined Sleeping Cap. 

Summer Beach Waves

Offer: texture perm or beachy finishing style Retail: light hold cream, serum, texturizing spray Perms are back! Add long, lasting beachy texture to pin-straight hair by performing a perm on braids instead of rollers. See how it's done by Master Stylist and Salon Owner, Janine Jarman (@janinejarman) in this super easy how-to video: How to Perm with Janine Jarman. If you're just wanting to end your services with some beachy waves, start with a styling cream like Sebastian Potion 9 Treatment, something with moisture or shine and a flexible hold. Next curl the hair using a 1" barrel, wand, or flat iron, which ever you're comfortable with! For an undone texture, alternate every other section and leave the ends straight. Finish with a texturizer like Sebastian Texture Maker Hairspray that contains sea salt crystals for "grit" that will add volume and a light hold. What services will you add to your menu this summer? Let us know in the comment below or tag us in your summer styles on Instagram @pinkprobeautysupply Featured photo by margot pandone on Unsplash