After months of sunshine, salt water, chlorine and humidity, summer can leave its mark on your hair. Colour begins to fade, curls lose definition, strands become dry and brittle, and what once felt healthy suddenly becomes difficult to manage.

According to Kidist “Pinky” Emery, owner of Salon Pink, those changes are completely normal, but they're also a sign that it's time to give your hair a little extra attention.

“One of the first things we notice is a change in colour. In Bermuda, we have salt in the air year-round, and when you combine that with constant sun exposure, both natural and artificial hair colour can fade, become lighter or lose its richness.”

Another telltale sign is how quickly hair dries. “If your hair dries unusually fast, it's often a sign that it's become overly porous and dehydrated, meaning it's struggling to retain moisture.”

For clients with curly hair, Ms Emery also looks for changes in the curl pattern.

“If the curls suddenly become much tighter than usual or feel dry and brittle, that's often a sign the hair is craving moisture.”

While Bermuda's climate affects hair throughout the year, she says the damage becomes much more noticeable during the summer months.

“We live with salt air and sunshine every day, but during the summer we're spending far more time outdoors, in the ocean and around pools, so the effects become much more noticeable by the end of the season.”

One of the biggest mistakes people make, she says, is failing to adapt their haircare routine.

“The biggest mistake is not adjusting your routine. Just as we change our skincare or make-up with the seasons, our haircare routine should change too. Summer places much greater demands on our hair, so it needs extra hydration and nourishment.”

She also believes many people overlook the connection between overall health and healthy hair.

“People sometimes focus only on products and forget that healthy hair starts from within. Drinking enough water and eating enough protein plays a huge role in the strength and condition of your hair.”

For that reason, she recommends adding a deep hydrating treatment to your routine at least once a week throughout the summer.

When it comes to choosing products, Ms Emery says there is no universal solution.

“There isn't one perfect product because every person's hair has different needs,” she says.

Rather than buying products based on marketing or even hair type alone, she encourages people to think about what their hair is actually lacking.

“If a product marketed for curly hair provides the hydration and frizz control your straight hair needs, there's no reason you can't use it.”

Instead of following trends, she recommends starting with a professional consultation.

“A stylist can assess your hair's condition and recommend treatments and products that are right for you instead of relying on marketing claims.”

While curly, coily and textured hair often require richer leave-in conditioners because they naturally tend to be drier, Ms Emery says the fundamentals of healthy hair remain the same regardless of texture.

“Every hair type benefits from hydration, regular treatments and protection after months of sun and salt exposure.”

She also points out that many Bermudians colour their hair, regardless of texture, which can make summer damage even more noticeable.

“Colouring already removes some of the hair's natural protection, and regular heat styling can contribute to dryness too. Whether your hair is curly or straight, damage is damage and everyone benefits from restoring moisture and strengthening the hair.”

As summer comes to an end, she believes deep conditioning should become a weekly habit.

Regular trims also play an important role, although how much hair needs to be removed depends on how well it has been cared for throughout the season.

“The goal isn't to cut off length, it's to remove damaged ends before they split further up the hair shaft. Regular maintenance trims throughout the year keep your hair healthier and mean less needs to come off each visit.”

She also recommends shampooing after every swim in the ocean or a chlorinated pool.

“Leaving salt and chlorine sitting on the hair will continue to dry it out, making it more prone to breakage and split ends.”

For anyone thinking about a new hairstyle as autumn approaches, Ms Emery has one final piece of advice.

“Don't make big decisions about your hair without speaking to your stylist first. Whether you're thinking about going blonde, cutting it all off, colouring it darker or trying a new trend you've seen online, have a conversation first. Your stylist understands your hair's history, condition and what it's realistically capable of achieving.”

She says a consultation can save both time and money while helping to avoid unnecessary damage.

“Healthy, beautiful hair isn't about having the most expensive products, it's about understanding what your hair needs. A personalised consultation will always give you better results than following trends.”