There's something about summer that makes your hair feel different.
Maybe your waves seem fuller, your scalp feels healthier, or your hair simply looks better after spending time outdoors.
It's enough to make you wonder…
Does the sun actually make your hair grow?
The short answer is: not directly.
The sun itself doesn't speed up hair growth. However, there are a few reasons why people often feel like their hair grows faster during the sunnier months.
Hair growth is influenced by many factors, including genetics, hormones, nutrition and overall health.
Some studies suggest that hair may grow slightly faster during summer. This isn't necessarily because of sunlight itself, but because of changes in our lifestyle.
During the warmer months, we often:
- Spend more time outside
- Exercise more
- Have increased circulation
- Get more exposure to natural light
- Feel less stressed and more relaxed
All of these factors can support overall wellbeing, which can positively influence healthy hair growth.
But there isn't any evidence that simply sitting in the sun will suddenly make your hair grow more quickly.
Sunlight helps our bodies produce vitamin D.
Vitamin D plays an important role in many functions throughout the body, including maintaining healthy hair follicles.
Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with certain types of hair loss.
However, this doesn't mean that more sun automatically equals faster hair growth.
Think of vitamin D as one piece of the puzzle. Having adequate levels supports healthy hair function, but it's not a magic solution for longer hair.
Many people with naturally wavy hair notice their hair seems fuller and more textured during the summer months.
That's because:
- Humidity can encourage natural texture
- Sea water can create temporary beach waves
- Spending less time heat styling often improves overall hair health
- People tend to wear their natural texture more during holidays
In other words, your hair may not necessarily be growing faster. You're simply seeing more of its natural texture.
Absolutely.
Just like your skin, your hair and scalp can be affected by prolonged sun exposure.
UV rays can gradually break down the hair's protective outer layer, making strands feel:
- Dry
- Rough
- Brittle
- More prone to frizz
- Less shiny
- More likely to tangle and break
For naturally wavy hair, this can be particularly frustrating.
Wavy hair already tends to be slightly drier than straight hair because natural oils have a harder time travelling down the bends and curves of each strand.
Excessive sun exposure can make this dryness even worse.
We often remember to protect our skin, but forget about our scalp.
Your scalp is skin, too.
Sunburn on the scalp can cause:
- Redness and tenderness
- Dryness and flaking
- Irritation and sensitivity
- Temporary shedding in some cases due to inflammation
A healthy scalp creates the best environment for healthy hair.
That's why protecting your scalp is just as important as protecting your lengths.
Wear a hat
A hat provides one of the simplest and most effective forms of protection for both your hair and scalp.
Avoid excessive heat styling
Your hair is already dealing with environmental stress from the sun. Adding extra heat can increase dryness and damage.
Keep your waves moisturised
Hydrated hair is generally more resilient.
If your waves start feeling rough or straw-like after time in the sun, it's usually a sign they're crying out for moisture.
Deep condition after holidays
Sun, sea and chlorine can leave waves feeling dry and depleted.
A Deep Conditioning Treatment can help replenish lost moisture and restore softness and shine.
Be gentle with your hair
Sun-exposed hair can become more fragile.
Avoid aggressive brushing and excessive manipulation, particularly when hair is wet.
Holiday hair often looks amazing while you're away. But when you get home, your waves can suddenly feel dry, frizzy and difficult to manage.
This is completely normal.
After a holiday, your waves usually need:
- Moisture
- Gentle cleansing
- Time away from heat styling
- A little extra care and patience
Giving your hair a hydration boost can help restore softness, improve definition and bring your waves back to life.
The sun doesn't directly make your hair grow faster.
However, the healthier lifestyle habits that often come with summer can support overall hair health. Plus, vitamin D levels play an important role in maintaining healthy hair follicles, and the sun gives you a good dose of that.
But, too much sun can leave your waves feeling dry, brittle and frizzy.
The secret is balance.
Enjoy the sunshine, embrace your natural texture, but don't forget that your hair and scalp need protection too.
