Damaged curls after summer: how to restore them with the right treatments

After months of sun, sea, wind and days spent outdoors, curly hair can appear drier, frizzier and less defined than usual. This is completely normal: summer stresses the hair fiber, especially curly hair, which is naturally more fragile and prone to dehydration.

The good news? With targeted treatments and a few smart habits, you can bring your curls back to their natural beauty by hydrating and nourishing them deeply.

Curly hair has a particular structure: the shaft isn’t linear, but curved, making it harder for natural oils to distribute evenly from roots to ends. This is why curls are already more prone to dryness and fragility — conditions that intensify during summer.

Here are the main factors that contribute to damaged curls after the hot season:

• Sun: UV rays degrade hair proteins and oxidize pigments, making curls dull and weakened.

• Saltwater: salt crystals deposit on the hair fiber, attracting water and encouraging dehydration.

• Chlorine: alters the hydrolipidic film and can weaken the cuticles, increasing porosity.

• Wind: lifts cuticle scales, increasing frizz.

The result? Hair that is fragile, porous and difficult to manage. That’s why, after vacation, curly hair care needs to be reviewed and boosted, integrating treatments designed to rebuild and hydrate — especially in preparation for autumn.

To restore curls after summer, you need targeted treatments that can rebalance hydration and nourishment. A simple mask isn’t enough: you need formulas that work both on the inner part of the hair (cortex) and the outer layer (cuticle).

A reconstruction treatment for curly hair, such as SuperCurly Booster®, is ideal when curls have lost elasticity and look dull or fragile. Hydrolyzed proteins — especially keratin and collagen — help reinforce the hair’s internal structure, while film-forming and conditioning polymers rebuild the protective barrier, improving hold and reducing frizz.

Alongside reconstruction, hydration remains key to restoring softness and definition. The best curly hair mask to use after summer should contain:

• Trace elements, to reinforce the fiber and support its physiological balance.

• Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect against free radicals while maintaining elasticity and vitality.

• Plant oils and butters (coconut, argan, macadamia, jojoba, shea), which nourish, soften and counter dryness.

The winning approach is to alternate a reconstruction treatment with a hydrating/nourishing one: this way, you act on multiple levels — repairing damage while keeping the fiber flexible and strong. And if you notice significant frizz along with damage, choose products with lightweight oils and anti-humidity polymers that help seal cuticles and keep curls defined even in changing weather conditions.

Once you’ve rebuilt the hair fiber with intensive treatments, it’s time to maintain and boost the results. A mask every now and then isn’t enough: you need targeted habits that maximize benefits and make your Curly Routine far more effective. Here are four strategies that truly make a difference.

1. Prep your hair with a pre-shampoo treatment
A pre-shampoo oil like our Primer Oil is the ideal first step for dry or dehydrated curls after summer. Apply it from mid-lengths to ends at least one hour before washing: this reduces cleansing harshness and deeply nourishes thanks to its concentration of plant oils. For even better results, wrap your hair in plastic film to keep it protected during processing and prevent the oil from dispersing.

2. Boost mask absorption with heat
A mask works best when it can penetrate the core of the hair. That’s why, after summer, it’s useful to pair it with a thermal flaxseed cap such as our Pro Conditioning Cap. The heat gently opens the cuticles and allows hydrating and nourishing ingredients to reach deeper, transforming a standard application into an intensive treatment. In just 15–30 minutes, curls appear softer, more nourished and revived.

3. Combine conditioner and leave-in
If your hair is particularly dry, conditioner alone won’t be enough. After applying it to detangle and hydrate, complete your Curly Routine with a leave-in conditioner like Slide On. This way, the rinse-out conditioner works immediately to close cuticles and restore softness, while the leave-in seals in moisture and creates lasting protection throughout the day. This duo extends wash-day results and keeps curls elastic and defined for longer.

4. Refresh curls between wash days
On off days, you don’t need to wash your hair to keep curls looking good: just use a refresh spray like our Magic Curl Reactivator. In seconds, it hydrates the fiber, restores elasticity and reactivates natural curl definition. It’s the ideal solution to counter post-summer dryness and dullness, control frizz and bring curls back to their natural shape without aggressive restyling.

With the right treatments for curls damaged by summer exposure — and a few extra tricks — your hair can return to being soft, elastic and shiny even after the most intense months of the year.
Summer leaves its mark, but you have the right allies to turn it into new beauty!