It almost sounds like a joke, but in Dubai people tend to agree there are two main problems — rent prices and hair loss. Somehow, we just learn to live with both.

But then summer rolls in and makes one of them noticeably worse. Not the rent, but your hair and skin. Heat, humidity, constant sun — not exactly the kindest mix.

So here is a gentle reminder: alongside your summer plans, there is one more thing to think about — how you are going to protect your hair and skin from what is coming.

Think of this as a quick guide to the essentials, straight from people who actually know what they are talking about — hair and skin specialists. No hacks, no guesswork — just advice that works in this climate.

I have a very simple rule: the moment I see more than five “musts”, I am out. Closed tab, goodbye, best of luck to everyone else.

So let’s keep this human — five things, max. The kind you can actually follow without turning hair care into a full-time job. For hair advice, we turned to someone who really knows what they are talking about — Maria Dowling, founder of Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.

1. Prevention over repair

Everyone talks about hydration, protection, and repair as a combined approach — and yes, ideally you want all three. But if we are being honest, prevention wins every time.

Think of it as building a barrier. The stronger your hair is to begin with, the better it can handle heat, humidity, salt water — all the usual suspects. Leave-in conditioners, oils, and serums do the heavy lifting here, coating the hair, softening the impact of the environment, and quietly keeping things under control.

2. UV protection is non-negotiable

I know you have heard this a hundred times, but let me say it once more — it really is the foundation.

3. Pick products that actually work

Pretty packaging is nice. Ingredients are better. So what should you actually be looking for when scanning the back of your favourite bottles?

4. Rethink certain treatments

Some treatments can do more harm than good — especially in the summer. Lightening and bleaching, for example, might look tempting, but they can leave your hair far more exposed than you would expect.

And then there is the less obvious part: anything that softens the hair without strengthening it can quietly increase fragility — something that becomes very noticeable once heat, humidity, and sun get involved.

5. Take care of your scalp

The scalp is one of those things we tend to ignore — right up until it starts asking for attention. And really, it shouldn’t be an afterthought.

Alongside regular cleansing and the occasional exfoliation, it is worth bringing in targeted treatments to keep things balanced and healthy. And don’t underestimate the simple things either — wearing a hat, for example, makes more of a difference than you would think.

While the opening joke didn’t include skin, it probably should have — summer isn’t particularly kind to it either. In fact, this is when it needs the most support. During summer, the skin is exposed to two very different environments every day: outdoors, there is intense UV, humidity, desert dust, and chlorine from pools; indoors, it is long hours in cold, dry air conditioning.

For skin-related insights, we turned to Athina Theodoridi, founder of Thy Skin — a UAE-based, barrier-first skincare brand. So here we go — a few essentials to keep in mind.

1. Hydrate wisely

Hydration works best when you don’t overcomplicate it. The key is in the layering — starting with lighter textures, then adding something that helps lock everything in. Think hydrating mists, lightweight serums, and breathable moisturisers.

At night, the focus naturally shifts to recovery. This is when a light oil or a slightly richer cream can help restore what your skin has quietly lost during the day.

It is also worth letting go of a common myth: humid weather doesn’t automatically mean your skin is hydrated. In Dubai, it is often quite the opposite. Constantly moving between humid outdoor heat and very dry indoor air conditioning can leave the skin dehydrated.

2. Don’t underestimate the cleansing

Between sunscreen, sweat, dust, and chlorinated pools, the skin accumulates far more residue during summer. Cleansing, therefore, needs to remove these impurities without stripping the skin.

3. Know what products to rely on

It is worth paying a bit more attention to what is actually inside your products — and, more importantly, why you are using them.

4. Don’t forget UV protection (and it isn't just about SPF)

In a place like Dubai, sun exposure is one of the main triggers behind pigmentation — melasma, sun spots, uneven tone. So managing it properly really matters. And it isn't just about being outdoors. UV still reaches you indoors through windows — especially in bright spaces with large glass surfaces.

5. Be mindful of treatments that can make your skin more sensitive