How to keep your cool and keep your hair clean in a heatwave

The last thing anyone wants during a heatwave is a hair wash in a hot shower. The UK has already seen some scorching temperatures this year, and unless climate change is tackled soon, this will be the new 'normal' (and worse). Hot weather makes sweaty scalps and hair that feels gross by midday. 

As an eco-friendly brand, we're doing our best to not contribute to climate change, but we definitely can't promise to solve the issue. However, as a former hairdresser, I can promise to give you the best advice for how to keep your hair clean in a heatwave. 

Why does hair get greasier in hot weather?

Unfortunately heat plus sweat amps up sebum production. Our bodies produce sweat as our natural air conditioning in a breeze – we need it to regulate our temperature. Our sebum glands, which produce oils to protect our skin, are stimulated by high heat and become more active. Unfortunately sweat combined with sebum on the scalp makes hair appear even greasier. Hats, although necessary sun protection, heat the scalp up and exacerbate this problem too.

Should you wash your hair more often in a heatwave?

Sounds counter-intuitive, but in a nutshell, no. Over-washing strips and disturbs the natural oil balance. My advice is to stick to your regular washing schedule to keep your hair clean in a heatwave, but to follow the tips below.

Tip 1: Freshen up an oily scalp between washes

Sprinkle natural dry shampoo powder in the fringe area, in the hairline at the back of the neck and along your parting if you have one. This can be done before you wear a hat, too. Leave on the scalp for at least a minute or two to allow it soak up the juice. Then brush or comb the hair up and away from your face and neck to distribute and loosen the powder, shaking it out with a good hair tousle. 

Tip 2: Cool down a hot scalp

Mist hot or irritated scalps regularly with a lavender spray to replace sweat, calm the skin and add a pleasant scent. Then get in front of a fan for an instantly air-conditioned scalp. Lavender works particularly well at night, as it helps with sleep, so spritz some on your pillow, too.

Tip 3: Use a hair mist to freshen the ends

Hair mists refresh, add a light scent and even help to tame frizz. Light enough to layer up, apply as and when needed. Unwanted smells absorbed throughout the day benefit from a spray of hair perfume for a lovely, clean fragrance. For a feel-good holiday scent spritz with orange flower water. This orange blossom-scented spritz can be used on a hot face and neck too, cooling both skin and temperament. 

Tip 4: Get your hair off your skin

Probably an obvious one, but hair is actually a reasonably good insulator and traps hot air, retaining heat. Dark hair absorbs a lot of heat. The scalp is one of the body's main heat release points, so heat can build up around the scalp quite effectively. 

Curly and coily hair create more air pockets and sits further from the scalp, which can actually make it a little cooler. Whereas fine straight hair sits flat against the scalp and conducts heat more directly. Aside from shaving your head completely in a heatwave (very tempting!), a new summer style, without a fringe, that sits away from your scalp and neck is a relief.  

Tips for washing your hair with cold water

When it is time for a hair wash day, it's tempting to have a cold shower and wash your hair as normal. This will cool you down, for sure. However there are some small points to consider when washing your hair with cold water.

Cold water slightly closes the hair cuticle, which is its outer layer. As an after-rinse, cold water is great for reducing frizz and retaining hair colour as it smoothes the hair and 'seals' things in. However conditioner does need a slightly open cuticle to allow active ingredients to absorb into the hair shaft. Using conditioner in cold water means it may just sit on the surface rather than truly condition.

My tip: Use a light conditioner and consider reverse washing. Apply conditioner on to damp hair about half an hour before washing to allow the ingredients to soak in. Then lightly shampoo your hair using a gentle, sulphate free shampoo bar with the cold water and rinse well. 

The other thing to consider is that most hair care is formulated to work best in warm temperatures. Warm water does help to soften and emulsify these products, so some warm water may be required to fully rinse them out. If shampoo or conditioner isn't rinsed out properly, the residue left behind can make hair look dull or dirty (even though it isn't). 

My tip: Use some warm water when rinsing initially, but have only your head dipped under the water. Then do a cold final rinse fully under to cool right down again.

Hairy Jayne conditioner bars, especially, are designed to be melted into a cream in the shower. But this can be worked around.

My tip: Melt, smush and stir your piece of conditioner bar into a cream with warm water before you hop in the shower (keep in a pot or tin and use within two weeks).

In short...

Hairy Jayne hair care products are handmade in Bristol using natural ingredients, and everything is completely plastic-free — because we care about climate change as much as we care about hair. Whether you're after a gentle shampoo bar, a nourishing conditioner or a cooling hair mist, you'll find everything you need to keep your hair clean in a heatwave in the Hairy Jayne shop. Stay cool out there.