Saving Your Scalp in the Summer Heat with The Collective ATX
Our scalp health and wellness often goes missed when it comes to the summer heat, but here’s how to best care for it.
During the summer, our arms and legs aren’t the only parts of the body that get burned — the scalp does, too.
Tiffany Vogelpohl is one of few who has brought natural beaded rows of hand-tied hair extensions to Austin and the South Texas area. Owner of The Collective ATX, an Austin-based hair salon that was recognized as one of the top 200 salons in 2023 by SALON TODAY. So, we mean it when we say that she knows hair. Vogelpohl, who has been working with hair since 1998, shared some tips on how to save your scalp during the Texas heat this summer.
Wear a hat or SPF.
Obviously, we use sunblock all over our bodies; our scalps are and should be no different. In fact, according to a blog post from Skin Cancer Foundation, people often get skin cancer in their scalps so it’s important to protect your scalp every day, not just in the summertime. Vogelpohl says your hairdresser should check and say something if they see something since they’re most likely the person who sees your scalp the most. However, it’s a good idea to check with your partner or kids more often than not. Hat hair be damned — it’s all for your health in the long run.
Use the sun in your favor.
Vogelpohl says to use the sun’s heat to your advantage.
“If you’re going to be by the pool or beach, apply a mask before going out in the sun and tie it up in a bun,” Vogelpohl says. “The heat will make sure that product penetrates into your hair and, by the end of the day, it will be nourished and soft as butter.”
It’s the best of both worlds; be gone, split ends and burnt scalps!
Reapply, reapply, reapply!
Whether you’re masking, sun blocking or heat protecting — between sweat, salt water and the pool — nothing will last all day. So keep that in mind and re-apply always, especially if you’re bald or have bald spots. Man or woman, we all have a head and this affects every one of us. Nobody wants a sunburned scalp in the middle of summer burning up. Keep your product in your beach bag and reapply it every few hours just as you would chapstick!
Check your products.
Ensure you’re using hydrating shampoos, conditioners and good hair oils. Vogelpohl says her favorite summertime product is Oribe’s Moisture & Control Deep Treatment Masque, which helps hydrate hair. She suggests ensuring there is UVA in the products you use to heat protect and SPF protect if you use something else, even though most products that contain heat protectants also contain SPF.
Courtesy of Oribe
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The Texas heat is no easy feat and if you’re new to Austin, you’re in for a WILD ride. Even if you’re a seasoned veteran, it never seems to get easier (coming from someone who is going on her 20 years here). Whether it’s a day at the lake or at your buddy’s pool, you won’t want to forget your hat, trust me. Or, better yet, trust Tiffany! I, for one, will be trying the hair masking tip ALL summer long.
About the Author
Katerina Cotroneo is an author and professional photographer who uses her marketing background and talent behind the camera and has been published in AFM, Authentic Texas, Waterways Magazine, Tribeza and more. Cotroneo captures idiosyncratic stories through her lens and portrays diverse perspectives in her writing.
