“Going out with wet hair in the middle of a heat wave”: A hairstylist warns against this summer habit that we think is refreshing
This summer of 2026, a very common hair care habit during hot weather is causing concern for an expert hairstylist. This habit, though perceived as refreshing, could actually damage your hair much more than you might think.
What Heat Really Does to Your Hair
As soon as temperatures rise, the scalp heats up and the hair shaft dries out. Sweat, pollution, and UV rays form a damaging trio that weakens the hair strands day after day. As a result, hair loses its shine and becomes harder to style.
Faced with this, many people respond by washing their hair more often. This seems like a logical reaction, since it provides an immediate feeling of lightness. However, according to hairstylist Delphine Courteille, washing your hair too often disrupts the scalp’s natural balance and weakens the hair shafts, whereas a gentle routine would be more than enough.
So, summer hair care isn’t about doing more, but about doing it better. The hairstylist emphasizes this point: adapting your routine to the season is the first step in keeping your hair healthy.
Frequent washing: a false friend in the summer
In the summer, it’s easy to give in to the urge to wash your hair every day. But washing it that often strips the scalp of its natural oils. As a result, the scalp tries to compensate by producing even more sebum, which makes your hair get greasy faster.
The hairstylist therefore recommends washing your hair less frequently and choosing gentle products that are suited to the harsh conditions of summer. A gentle shampoo, used less often, protects the hair better than washing it several times a day with a regular product.
Going out with wet hair: a mistake you should avoid
“During heat waves, the air is often filled with pollution, dust, and fine particles.”
This is the main warning issued by Delphine Courteille, a renowned hairstylist. According to her, going out with wet hair in the middle of a heat wave is the most common—and riskiest—habit. This is because wet hair acts like a sponge: it absorbs impurities from the air much more easily than dry hair.
As a result, hair becomes dirty more quickly, feels heavy, and looks dull. Furthermore, hair strands saturated with water remain weakened when exposed to UV rays. This dual effect—pollution and sun exposure—visibly accelerates damage along the lengths of the hair.
The solution suggested by the hairstylist is simple and easy to follow. Just gently blot your hair dry with an absorbent towel, then let it air-dry for a few minutes before heading out. Partially drying your hair protects the hair shaft while keeping it feeling pleasantly fresh.
- Gently blot your hair with an absorbent towel after washing it.
- Blow-dry your hair for a few minutes before heading out.
- Space out your shampooing to avoid upsetting the balance of your scalp.
- Apply a few drops of dry oil to the lengths of your hair before styling.
- Choose hairstyles that frame the face and expose the nape of the neck.
Braids and low buns: this season’s must-have hairstyles
Hairstylist Delphine Courteille recommends practical hairstyles that keep hair off the face and neck. Braids top her list of summer recommendations: they keep strands from sticking to the skin and stay comfortable all day long. The low bun, meanwhile, elegantly keeps the nape of the neck free.
Before styling your hair this way, she recommends applying a few dropsof dry oil to long hair. This helps tame frizz and adds shine without weighing the hair down. As a result, the look remains light and polished, even in hot weather.
Dry Oil: That Extra Step to Get You Through the Summer
Beyond hairstyles, the hairstylist recommends dry oil as a seasonal hair care treatment.Delphine Courteille Dry Oil nourishes the lengths, tames frizz, and offers natural protection against the drying effects of the sun. It can be applied to damp or dry hair, before or after styling.
Because the goal remains the same: to keep your hair healthy without having to think about it all day. The hairstylist sums up her summer approach in one sentence: “The best hairstyle is the one you forget you’re wearing.” A braid or a low bun fits the bill perfectly, as they combine comfort in the heat with a polished look.
By adopting these simple habits—partially drying your hair, using dry oil, and opting for loose hairstyles—you can get through heat waves without sacrificing the beauty or health of your hair. As the hairstylist keeps saying, it’s often the most subtle steps that make the real difference over the course of the summer months.
