Summer Hair Care: Protecting Your Hair From The Sun

Just one day of being in the sun can make your hair 30% weaker.¹ When we head outside in the summer, we need to think about our hair’s health. Sun’s UV rays, heat, and dry air are not good for our hair. They can make it dry, weak, and easy to break. So, sun protection is key for keeping our hair strong and healthy during the summer.

Understanding the Impact of Sun Exposure on Hair

Sun doesn’t just warm our hair; it also harms it with UV rays. Wilma Bergfield, M.D., explains, “UVA and UVB rays can hurt the outer layer of hair, called the cuticle.”² This damage leads to hair damage, causing dryness, brittleness, and dullness.

The Role of UV Radiation in Hair Damage

UV rays break down the hair’s outer layer, causing moisture and protein loss.² They also make colored hair fade, especially bright colors.² These rays can change the hair’s natural color, creating brassiness in blondes and reds.²

Signs of Sun-Damaged Hair

Signs of sun-damaged hair include dryness, brittleness, faded color, dullness, and more frizz.² Too much sun can break down proteins in hair, like keratin, making hair dry and brittle over time.³ It also causes colored hair to fade quickly, needing frequent new treatments that can harm it more.³

Importance of Protecting Your Hair from the Sun

Defending your hair from the sun is vital like shielding your skin. The sun doesn’t just give your hair a few more tangles. It breaks down your hair’s vital proteins, making it weaker and less springy. This can affect hair color, especially if you’ve dyed it. It also removes your hair’s natural moisture, making it dry and easier to break.

Too much sun can dry out your hair, change its color, and harm its structure.¹ UVB rays injure the proteins in your hair, making it weaker.¹ UVA rays can alter your hair’s color because they create free radicals.¹ The sun’s light can take away your hair’s moisture, making it fragile.¹ It can even break down the dyes in your hair, leading to color loss.¹

Long periods in the sun can harm your hair a lot. It breaks down keratin and weakens your hair. This makes your hair more likely to break and gets split ends.⁴ The sun can also fade your hair dye quickly by affecting its color molecules.⁴ Without protection, the summer sun robs your hair of its oils. This makes your hair dry, brittle, full of frizz, dull, and hard to manage.⁴

Every hair type needs sun protection. The nutriplenish™ collection fights the sun’s drying effects and keeps your hair hydrated. It has mango butter, organic pomegranate oil, and organic coconut oil. These ingredients help replace what the sun takes away and keep your hair hydrated.⁵

Defensive Strategies: Products and Styles for Sun Protection

Invest in UV-protectant hair products to shield your hair from the sun’s harm.¹ These include nourishing hair oils and serums. Also, choose hairstyles that offer protection.⁶ UV-protectant products stop the sun’s rays from making hair brittle and prone to breakage.⁷ They use natural UV filters, such as sunflower seed extract and aloe vera, to keep hair safe from UV harm.

UV-Protectant Hair Products

Living Proof’s Restore Repair Leave-In and similar products guard hair from UV rays.¹ Pleasingly, Perfect hair Day™ Healthy Hair Perfector also provides UV security.⁶ Other useful options are Coola Scalp & Hair Sunscreen and Oribe Invisible Defense. These work well to prevent sun damage to hair.

Nourishing Hair Oils and Serums

Combat the sun’s drying effects on hair with nVourishing oils and serums.¹ They hydrate and strengthen your hair, fighting off dryness from the sun’s rays.⁶ For example, It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In and NatureLab. Tokyo Leave-In contain UV-protecting benefits. These keep your hair’s moisture balance in check.

Protective Hairstyles

Braids, buns, and updos are great for protecting hair from direct sunlight.¹ They not only guard against UV rays but also protect your scalp. This avoids scalp problems like inflammation and flaking.

Wide-Brimmed Hats

Wide-brimmed hats add an extra layer of UV protection for your hair and scalp.¹ They are a key part of protecting your hair from the sun.⁷ Wearing a hat is crucial for overall hair sun protection.

Summer Hair Care: Protecting Your Hair From The Sun

Hydrating Hair Masks and Deep Conditioning

During summer, it’s vital to care for your hair. Use hydrating hair masks and deep conditioners.⁸ The sun and heat can make your hair lose moisture. This makes it dry and weak. Using these products often adds moisture back. It also makes your hair stronger.¹

Heat Styling Precautions

Don’t forget about heat styling in the summer. The sun and heat can harm your hair more.¹ Use hot tools less and protect your hair from heat.

Maintaining Healthy Hair During Summer Months

When the sun is out in summer, your hair needs extra care. It’s crucial to protect it from the sun’s damage. After you’ve been in a pool or the ocean, make sure to rinse your hair well.¹

Rinsing After Swimming

Swimming in pools or the sea can dry your hair. This makes it more likely to break. To keep your hair healthy during summer, rinse it with fresh water after swimming. This helps get rid of damaging chemicals and salts.¹

Avoiding Pre-Vacation Hair Coloring

It’s not a good idea to color your hair right before a sunny vacation. The sun and pool water can make the color fade quickly.⁹ The mix of the sun’s UV rays and chlorine or saltwater weakens the color. This can make it fade before its time. By skipping the color job before your trip, you’ll keep your hair looking good for longer.

Using Swim Caps

If water activities are in your summer plans, a swim cap is a smart choice. It will guard your hair against chlorine and salt. A swim cap blocks your hair from direct contact with these harsh chemicals. It also helps to keep moisture in your hair.¹⁹

Conclusion

It’s very important to take care of your hair in the summer. The sun can really harm it. But, with the right steps, you can keep your hair healthy and shiny.

There are many ways to protect your hair from the sun’s damage. You can use special sprays, wear hats, and get regular trims. Start now to make your hair look great all summer.

Taking care of your hair’s health is crucial in the summer. A good summer hair care plan keeps your hair strong and moisturized. This protects it from the sun.

Enjoying the summer sun is fun. But, your hair needs care too. By following a summer hair care routine, your hair will stay lively and beautiful.

Source Links

1. https://www.livingproof.com/hair-101/protect-hair-in-the-sun.html
2. https://www.excuriaspa.com/protecting-your-color-how-sun-exposure-affects-your-hair-in-warmer-months/
3. https://hairhealth.org/sun-protection-for-your-hair-why-it-matters/
4. https://www.masonanthony.com/essential-summer-hair-care-tips/
5. https://www.aveda.com/living-aveda-article-uv-protection-for-hair
6. https://www.womansworld.com/posts/beauty/how-to-protect-your-hair-and-scalp-from-the-sun-products
7. https://www.gkhair.com/blogs/all-blog-posts/shielding-your-strands-a-deep-dive-into-preventing-sun-damaged-hair
8. https://www.gkhair.com/blogs/all-blog-posts/summer-hair-care-essentials
9. https://7haircare.com/protect-your-hair-from-sun-damage/