If your curls start looking a little lifeless halfway through summer, you’re not alone! Between chlorine, the Florida sun, saltwater, and sweat? Our curls really take a hit. That summer combination can leave your curls feeling dry, rough, or less defined.

And I know, your first thought is probably to reach for your trusty conditioner. That can help a little, but sometimes the real issue starts from your scalp and requires a deeper cleanse. 

That’s exactly why at-home care, curly clarifying treatments, and head spa services are so good for your curls this time of year. Thankfully, our Jacksonville curly salon has two trichologists who want to pass some summer curly hair tips your way!

What Summer Actually Does to Curly Hair

First, let me say I don’t love using fear-based language around hair. I never want anyone skipping pool days, beach days, or family fun just because they have curls. But I do want you to know what’s happening on your head.

Chlorine and saltwater strip moisture and natural oils, and leave buildup behind. Strong sun exposure can leave everything feeling drier, rougher, and less balanced. 

Stack all three together, and your curls feel it.

That’s Why Every Summer You Notice:

• Curls feeling drier or rougher than usual
• More tangling
• Less definition and bounce
• Products not working the same
• A scalp that feels itchy, tight, or flaky
• Dullness, breakage, or more shedding than usual

Why Does Curly Hair Feel It Faster?

It’s not you! Curly hair already has a harder time holding onto moisture, which is why summer can hit us a little harder. PLUS, if your hair is naturally dry, color-treated, chemically processed, or you wear extensions, you may notice those changes even faster than your other curl friends. You’re not doing anything wrong. It just means your curls need a little more support this time of year.

Normal Shampoo & Conditioner Aren’t Enough

This is the part that most people don’t realize. Your normal shampoo and conditioner are designed for maintenance. They’re usually not strong enough to deal with removing heavy mineral deposits, chlorine residue, salt buildup, or addressing scalp imbalances. 

That’s why you may feel like your routine suddenly “stops working” in June or July. 

But don’t toss your products away! It’s not that your products stop working. Your hair and scalp just need more detox and more moisture than your normal wash day can give.

How Head Spa and Curly Clarifying Treatments Help

It’s easy to spot when your curls feel off, but it’s harder to figure out how to get their bounce back. There are a ton of curl detox products and clarifying shampoos out there, but the problem is that they’re confusing. 

What kind of detox do you need?

How do you know which conditioner is moisturizing enough?

Which scalp treatment is worth the money?

That’s why I’m so thankful for Jess and Marylin. They’re trained in scalp health, and they do an in-depth consult to spot what your curls and scalp need. Then they tailor your head spa treatment to give your curls exactly what they need.

But there’s not a lot of information out there on head spas or proper clarifying treatments for curly hair, which is why I think so many of us curl friends don’t ask for it often enough. A head spa isn’t just about relaxing, even though yes, it feels amazing. 

How Often Should You Book?

How often depends on your lifestyle. 

If you’re a beach lover or you’re at the pool every weekend, we recommend monthly head spa treatments during the summer. 

If you don’t dip in the pool much, you can get away with less often. Ideally, book yourself one treatment at the beginning of summer to prep your hair and one at the end to reset. At the very least, book one for the end of summer.

Honestly, we don’t judge you! We know everyone’s schedules and budgets are different. If you can only do the one at the end of summer, your curls will be happy.

PS: Yes, kids can do this too!

Kids’ curly hair is just like ours. If your little one is spending a lot of time in the pool this summer, their scalp and curls may need some extra support too. 

We approach head spa services a little differently with younger kids, mostly because lying back at the shampoo bowl for a full hour is a lot when you’re little and wiggly. So we keep it flexible, stay patient, and prioritize the most important parts first so they still get the benefits.

A Few Easy Prevention Tips

I’m always going to be pro summer fun, and so are Jess and Marilyn. We focus more on prevention and restoration than trying to scare anyone. That’s why I asked them to give you some tips for at-home prevention and monitoring.

Summer tips to help protect your curls:

• Put on conditioner before getting in the pool or ocean if you can (this one’s my favorite).
• Rinse your hair after swimming.
• If your hair starts feeling like it needs more moisture, give it what it wants! Sneak in another conditioner day if you can.

Pay attention if your scalp starts feeling tight, itchy, or irritated. Do not ignore signs when your curls suddenly stop acting like themselves. Usually, your hair is trying to tell you something.

Come In for a Head Spa in Our Jacksonville Curly Salon

You do not need a whole new routine for summer, but you do need to make sure your curls are taken care of. That is where a little scalp renewal and a head spa can make a big difference. It gives us a chance to clear away everything summer leaves behind, bring your scalp back into balance, and help your curls feel fresh again.

So if your curls are not quite feeling like themselves lately, come in for a head spa service with Jess! We would love to help you press reset and get your curls back to that soft, bouncy, happy place again.