We’ve had a very warm summer so far, which affects not just our skin, but also our scalp and hair. Dermatologists agree that to maintain healthy hair you must have a healthy scalp, which we tend not to give much thought to unless we experience issues such as itchiness, dandruff or hair loss.

Hot weather and UV rays can damage the outermost layer of your hair cuticle. The cuticle can swell up in humid weather and cause frizzy hair, which is often dry and prone to breakage. Here are a few, sometimes obvious solutions that we often ignore.

Scalp
Just as we use facial and body scrubs to exfoliate dead skin cells, our scalp also needs exfoliating on a regular basis to avoid irritation. Shampoo does not cleanse the skin on your scalp, so good exfoliation helps to eliminate hair products that accumulate.
The benefits of a good scalp scrub include increased blood flow, stimulate hair growth and help relieve itchiness and dandruff. The best way to apply is to divide the hair into sections and massage your product into each parting, giving a gentle massage and rinse, then continue with your regular regime. If you can, avoid blow-drying and heated hair tools – allow your hair to dry naturally when possible.

Hats
Wearing a hat guarantees to keep the harsh rays off your head, not only protecting your hair but avoiding sun damage to exposed areas of your head. If you find hats or baseball caps restrictive, a light scarf could have a similar benefit.

UV Protection
UV protection is essential when out in the sun, but how do we protect our hair and scalp without getting messy with sunscreen? In recent years, more and more hair sunscreens have hit the shop shelves, including oils, creams and even a dry shampoo infused with SPF.

Conditioner
A deep conditioner will help to repair damaged hair. If possible, leave on for at least 20 minutes or overnight if you can. Oil massage is another wonderful way to moisturise your hair and can be done without buying expensive products.
Olive oil, sweet almond oil and coconut oil are very effective, but not always easy to wash out. The best way to remove it is to apply shampoo directly onto the oil, massage in, rinse with water and repeat. This really works, as you do not want an oily residue left on your hair.

Products
The market is swamped with products for scalp scrubs. Good Housekeeping recently did an extensive survey on what they consider the best on the market – here are their results.
Best Scalp Scrub: Curlsmith Wash & Scrub Detox Pro-Biotic (£23).
Best for Sensitive Scalps: R+Co Crown Scalp Scrub (£36).
Best for Greasy Hair: Fable & Mane SahaScalp Wild Ginger Purifying Scrub (£30)

Whilst their top three products are pricey, there are some more affordable options on the list that come in at under £10. Alternatively, have a go at making your own scrub. Mix two tablespoons each of sea salt, lemon juice and olive oil, apply to the scalp, massage in, then shampoo as normal. Et voilà – a healthy scalp.