Is Silica Water Good for Your Hair? ― Summer Hydration and the Story of Cultivating “Moisturized Hair” from Within ―
In summer, hair can suddenly become difficult to manage. It might be sleek in the morning, but by midday, it’s frizzy. The ends feel dry, yet the scalp feels heavy with sweat. UV rays, air conditioning, sweat, sebum, and restless nights. As these small seasonal stresses accumulate, your hair starts to look a little “tired.” That is why, before adding more treatments, KEMA proposes that you first revisit your daily hydration as a beauty habit this summer.
Hearing the term “silica water” might make it sound like a special beauty elixir. But its essence is quite simple: changing your daily hydration from just “intaking water” to a small routine that considers the condition of your hair, scalp, and skin. In this article, we will avoid treating silica as a cure-all, and instead, while referencing official and research data, organize how to easily incorporate it into your summer life.
01Why Summer Hair Looks Tired
Summer hair woes cannot be explained by “dryness” alone. Outside, you are exposed to UV rays; indoors, you are exposed to dry air from air conditioning; and when you sweat, sebum and salt can easily accumulate at the roots. Additionally, there is the friction from wearing hats, tying your hair, towel-drying, and rubbing against bedding. When the cuticle on the hair’s surface is subjected to these stimuli, it struggles to reflect light smoothly, which affects the visual shine and manageability of your hair.
Hair research has reported that UV rays damage hair and affect its proteins and pigment[4]. In other words, summer hair requires a mindset of protection from the outside, similar to wearing sunscreen on your skin. However, external protection is not enough. During a season where you sweat, sleep poorly, and have erratic eating habits, internal “hydration reserves” also affect the impression of your hair.
| UV Rays | A factor leading to surface damage, color fading, and dryness. UV protection, hats, and parasols before heading out are helpful. |
|---|---|
| Sweat & Sebum | Leads to scalp stickiness and odors, and heaviness at the roots. Thorough pre-washing upon returning home, gentle cleansing, and proper drying are important. |
| AC Dryness | Hair ends lose moisture, making them feel frizzy or static-prone. Combine out-bath care with indoor hydration. |
| Friction | Wet or sweat-soaked hair is more vulnerable to friction. The basic rule is to blot moisture away with a towel instead of rubbing vigorously. |
02What Exactly Is “Silica”?
Silica is generally known as a substance consisting of silicon and oxygen, and it is widely present in rocks, soil, water, and plants in nature. Silicon is also contained in food and tap water, and we consume it little by little through our daily diet without even realizing it[5]. Furthermore, silicon is described as an element present in human tissues such as bones, skin, and hair[3].
On the other hand, there is a point we would like to convey carefully: at this moment, it cannot be definitively stated that drinking more silica will increase hair growth, immediately strengthen hair, or cure summer fatigue. The National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan also cautions that while silicon is consumed in a normal diet, its specific effectiveness for health and beauty is not necessarily clear[5].
Hydration is meaningless if you don’t stick with it. Taste, temperature, portability of the bottle, compatibility with meals, and the refreshing feeling of a morning glass—when you consider these small daily factors, the value of silica water becomes much more realistic. Choosing water means organizing the quality of your life. For those who care about their hair, try treating that glass of water with a little care, rather than just drinking it while doing something else.
03Why Hydration Is Important for Hair and Scalp
Hair itself is already keratinized tissue, and the water you drink doesn’t travel directly to the ends to turn into shine. However, the scalp that grows your hair, the balance of sweat and sebum, sleep, diet, and body temperature regulation are all deeply linked to your daily condition. When the body feels dehydrated, it prioritizes functions necessary for life; beauty is like the “margin” that follows.
That is why at KEMA, we consider internal care not as something that “directly affects hair,” but as “the foundation of life that supports hair looking beautiful.” If the scalp is neither too sticky nor too dry, and your skin and nails feel calm, that overall condition will ultimately manifest in the impression of your hair.
Although hair, skin, and nails may seem like separate parts, they exist on the same rhythm of daily hydration, diet, sleep, and temperature regulation. By matching your internal “margin” with external care, you can sustain summer beauty effortlessly.
Hair Shine Is the Beauty of Reflection
Shine is not created by an ingredient glowing, but by the hair surface being smoothly aligned to reflect light uniformly. Reducing dryness, friction, and UV rays, and performing careful drying and brushing are the basics.
The Scalp Is the Environment for Hair
In summer, the scalp easily becomes heavy with sweat and sebum, while at other times it dries out due to air conditioning. Avoid over-washing or under-cleansing; balance internal hydration with external cleansing and moisturizing.
04Considering Hydration as a Defense Against Summer Fatigue Correctly
Hydration in the hot season is a basic necessity for health management, far more than just beauty. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare calls for avoiding heat, frequent hydration, and not pushing yourself to prevent heatstroke[1]. Establishing a water-drinking habit is also officially promoted as something to consciously do in daily life[2].
However, this does not simply mean “the more, the better.” On days when you sweat for long periods, it is important to include electrolytes or salt from food, not just water. The CDC/NIOSH guidelines on hydration in hot environments explain that while water is usually sufficient for most people, beverages containing a balance of electrolytes become an option when sweating continues for several hours[6].
On hot days, instead of drinking water solely for beauty, it is important to regulate your health by considering meals, rest, avoiding direct sunlight, and supplementing salt/electrolytes when necessary. If you position silica water as a “pleasantly continued glass,” it will not feel like a burden.
| Days Spent Indoors | Even if air conditioning makes you feel less thirsty, placing a glass of water nearby in the morning, afternoon, and evening will regulate your rhythm. Choosing water that isn't too cold will put less strain on your stomach. |
|---|---|
| Days with Many Outings | Drink little by little before you feel thirsty. Avoid heat with parasols or hats, and reset scalp sweat upon returning home. |
| Exercise & Outdoor Work | On days with significant sweating, be conscious of food and electrolytes in addition to water. If you feel unwell, prioritize rest without overexertion. |
05How to Incorporate It Successfully Throughout the Day
Silica water is not medicine meant to be “taken at a fixed time,” but something to gently place at the milestones of your day. We recommend five timings: morning, before heading out, midday, after bathing, and before sleep. There is no need to do this perfectly. What is important is to include your hair-grooming time and your water-drinking time in the same beauty routine.
After waking up, have a glass at room temperature to gently wake up your body.
Prepare your bottle alongside your sun protection to ensure you don’t panic while outside.
Drink a sip at intervals between tasks, rather than waiting for thirst.
After bathing and around the time you dry your hair, settle your body’s heat and thirst.
Don't drink too much before bed to avoid feeling heavy the next morning.
06Integrating External Hair Care and Internal Hydration
External care is essential to keep hair looking beautiful. Thoroughly cleansing the scalp with shampoo, smoothing the ends with conditioner, and protecting hair from friction and heat before blow-drying with out-bath care. These basics remain unchanged in any season. However, in summer, overlapping this with hydration will improve the “longevity” of your overall care.
For instance, after bathing: do not rub your hair with a towel, but gently blot the moisture. Apply your out-bath treatment. Dry from the roots. Beside you, keep a glass of water that isn’t too cold. While grooming your hair, simultaneously alleviate your internal dryness. This turns your nighttime care into a more thoughtful self-maintenance ritual.
Morning KEMA Routine
Drink water before fixing bedhead to groom without over-wetting hair. On days with strong sun, tie your hair lower to reduce friction, and prepare your hat and parasol together.
Nighttime KEMA Routine
Prioritize washing away the day's sweat and not going to sleep with wet hair. Apply a thin layer of necessary oil to the ends after drying, and leave room for hydration internally.
07Frequently Asked Questions
Silica water and summer hydration are topics where expectations tend to run high. Here, we re-organize the points KEMA wants to convey to our readers without misunderstanding.
Q. Will drinking silica water grow more hair?
A. It cannot be stated that it will. Silica water does not guarantee hair growth or thickening effects, and it is appropriate to think of it as an option to make daily hydration easier to maintain.
Q. Is hydration enough to prevent summer fatigue?
A. Hydration is important, but it is not enough on its own. Comprehensive measures are necessary, such as avoiding the heat, resting, eating, and considering salt and electrolytes on days you sweat heavily.
Q. Which is better, cold water or room-temperature water?
A. While cold water feels refreshing on hot days, room temperature or slightly cool water may be easier to maintain for those with sensitive stomachs. What is important is choosing a temperature you can drink frequently without effort.
Q. What should I review first for hair care?
A. In summer, start by reviewing UV protection, shampooing to avoid leaving sweat behind, towel-drying to reduce friction, and not sleeping with wet hair. If you incorporate hydration into your lifestyle rhythm on top of that, your overall care will be easier to maintain.
08A Proposal from KEMA for This Summer
Beautiful hair is not grown just by intensive care on special days. The morning glass, the bottle before going out, washing hair after coming home, drying after a bath, and a small margin of time before sleep—that accumulation is what quietly transforms the impression of your hair. If you adopt silica water, do not rush for results; instead, try to value “whether the time spent drinking water becomes a time to organize yourself.”
What KEMA proposes is summer care that protects from the outside and doesn’t dry out from the inside. Protect hair from UV rays. Wash away sweat the same day. Reduce friction at the ends. And drink water little by little before you feel thirsty. These are all small things, but that smallness is the very beauty that can be continued every day.
This summer, why not design your hair care to include the glass you pour, rather than just what you apply? Grooming hair, avoiding sunlight, drinking water, sleeping deeply. That sequence of flow should keep your hair and mind supple.
*This column is intended for general information and does not guarantee specific results or effects.
*The amount and method of hydration vary by age, health, activity level, temperature, and sweat volume. If you have an underlying health condition, are currently receiving medical treatment, or have been instructed to limit your water intake, please consult a doctor before incorporating these practices.
*Silica water is not a pharmaceutical product. Please utilize it as part of your daily habits, and not as something that guarantees effects on hair growth, thickening, disease prevention, treatment, or heatstroke prevention.
References
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare "Heatstroke Prevention Information and Material Site"
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism "Let's Drink 'Water'"
- NCBI / PMC “Silicon and Skin Health”
- PubMed “Effect of ultraviolet radiation on hair”
- National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan "Beverages Claiming to Contain Silica or Silicon"
- CDC / NIOSH “Heat Stress: Hydration”
