We all know how important it is to protect our skin from the sun to prevent skin cancer and premature signs of aging when enjoying some much-deserved time outdoors this summer–and it’s also important to protect the hair and scalp. Here, Harvard-trained dermatologist and founder of SEEN, Dr. Iris Rubin, shares her top tips for maintaining (and improving) the health of your hair this summer.
#1: Don’t forget the hat
Hands down, the best way to protect your hair and scalp is with a hat, but all chapeaus are not created equal. Although a woven straw hat may be the ideal accessory for your poolside look, it might not offer all that much sun protection for your hair and scalp. Look for a sun hat that features UPF 50 material along with a wide brim for face and neck coverage.
#2: Prep your hair
If you dunk your head when you take a dip, you’ll want to take an extra step to maintain the health of your hair throughout the summer. To help minimize the potential damage caused by chlorine and salt water, be sure to wet your hair with clean water before going for a swim.
#3: Get protection from your haircare
Whether your goal is sleek and straight or gorgeously defined curls, SEEN has you covered. Our Blow-Out Creme and Curly Creme put you on the path to the style you desire while providing protection against up to 450 degrees when styling. Formulated with moringa oleifera (horseradish tree) extract, SEEN’s styling creams offer the hair natural protection from UV rays and pollution when spending time outside. As an added bonus, they are safe for colored and keratin-treated hair as well!
#4: Choose products that are kind to the hair and skin
Dr. Rubin created SEEN as a way to optimize the health and appearance of both the hair and skin without having to choose one over the other. Our shampoos and conditioners offer all of the hair-hydrating, nourishing, smoothing, and strengthening benefits you’re looking for. SEEN’s formulas are also non-irritating, safe for sensitive skin, and non-comedogenic (which means they won’t clog pores), so you can bare skin more confidently as temperatures rise.
#5: Effectively fight frizz and breakage
If humidity instantly derails your styling efforts the second you step outside, we have you covered because using SEEN Shampoo, Conditioner, and Blow-Out Creme as a regimen has been shown to reduce frizz by 74%.[1] From there, just a few drops of Magic Serum on wet or dry hair delivers instant shine and frizz control—and it strengthens hair by up to 81% after a single use![2] It gives you the smooth, shiny hair you’ve always wanted without silicone and won't clog pores (which can lead to breakouts) or cause skin irritation. Best of all, Magic Serum is fragrance-free and formulated with just three naturally-derived ingredients, specifically olive-derived ethylhexyl olivate, plant sugar-derived squalane, and plant sugar-derived hemisqualane (Alkane C13-15).
#6: Don’t make these post-swim mistakes
If you take a dip, the first thing you want to do afterwards is rinse your hair with clean water. Since tangles can be an issue if you don’t pull your hair back before swimming, get a detangling brush for your beach bag to minimize pulling and breakage. Of course, be sure to reapply sunscreen to your skin and scalp after toweling off as well.
#7: Consider giving your hair some time off
Beyond taking extra steps to protect your hair on beach or pool days, try to take it easy on your hair styling-wise. Summer is the ideal time to minimize heat styling and lean into air-drying for a natural, laid-back look. Our styling products help tame frizz, smooth your strands, and nourish your locks even when there isn’t a blow-dryer, flat iron, or curling iron in sight.
#8: Loosen up your style
Choose a loose braid or messy bun instead of tighter hairstyles that can lead to breakage—especially in dry or damaged hair.
#9: Go deep
Treat summer strands to a deep-conditioning treatment every week or two. Dr. Rubin applies Deeper Conditioner and leaves it in for five minutes for softening, smoothing, and strengthening benefits that won’t clog pores or aggravate sensitive skin.
We’re here to help you enjoy gorgeous hair all summer, and we’re equally as concerned about the health of your skin. Just remember, 70% with body acne and 52% with face acne improved[3] after using non-medicated SEEN Shampoo and Conditioner as a regimen for eight weeks. Our fragrance-free formulas have received the National Eczema Association’s coveted Seal of Acceptance™—which means they are suitable for sensitive and eczema-prone skin.
With SEEN, your hair can look and feel its best all summer long—and so can your skin!
[1] 8 hair tresses, compared to control washed with SLES
[2] Repeated grooming study with 10 bleached hair tresses, compared to control
[3] In a dermatologist-graded clinical study, 27 subjects with mild to moderate acne used SEEN shampoo and conditioner as a regimen for 8 weeks. SEEN is non-medicated and can help those for whom hair products are contributing to acne.
