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Learning how to protect your hair from the sun is just as important as protecting your skin. Long days outside, beach vacations, pool afternoons, and everyday errands can all expose your hair to harsh UV rays that leave it feeling dry, brittle, and dull. Without the right care, even healthy hair can quickly lose its shine and softness during the summer months.
Many people don’t realize how much damage the sun can cause until split ends, fading color, or increased frizz begin to appear. Fortunately, it doesn’t take an elaborate routine to protect your hair from the sun. A few simple habits and the right products can make a noticeable difference while helping your hair stay healthy through every sunny adventure.
Whether you’re spending the day by the pool or simply walking the neighborhood, knowing how to protect your hair from the sun can preserve its strength, color, and overall appearance. Small preventative steps today can save you from weeks of repair later, allowing your hair to look its best all season long! Here are some simply and easy steps for how to protect your hair from the sun this summer and beach season.Â
How UV Effects Hair
Sunlight is comprised of UV, or ultraviolet rays. Although they are invisible to the naked eye, this type of light can do major damage to your body’s cellular structure. Not only does this impact the cells in your skin, but in your hair as well!
That’s because UV lights can weaken the structure and natural proteins in your hair. This would make the strands weak and brittle. On top of that, you also need to worry about sunburns on your scalp, as it’s skin just like everywhere else on your body!
There are numerous short- and long-term side effects of staying too long in the sun. It essentially zaps out the moisture, so you may notice that your hair becomes drier and more frizz-prone. Or you may start to see more split ends. The sun can also have a bleaching effect on the hair’s color (even if you have never dyed or highlighted your hair).
Side effects of scalp sun damage include sunburn around your hairline or even burns on the scalp itself! As it heals, it can become very itchy and flakey, which are things nobody wants! So, it’s essential to protect your hair from the sun.
How to Protect Your Hair From the Sun + UV Rays
Thankfully, there are ways to protect your hair against sun damage (just like you would for your skin).
1. Stay out of the sun
This may be an obvious tip, but you can avoid sun damage by limiting your sun exposure. Stay inside or at least avoid being directly in the sun during peak hours when rays are the strongest. And if you can, try to be under an umbrella, canopy, or somewhere in the shade.
2. Use sunscreen for your hair
Yes! There are sunscreens formulated especially to protect your hair from the sun. For long-lasting results, you’ll want to look for something with a high SPF rating of at least 30+. Some of them are even formulated to protect your scalp, making it a win-win product in our eyes!
3. Look for UV protection hair products
In addition to sunscreen, you can also level up your protection with UV protection hair products. There are lots of different products out there, some of which are marketed as heat protectants as well (for styling tools). We think sprays and serums work the best, but really anything with UV protection should do the trick and protect your hair from the sun and its damage.
4. Accessorize
Wearing a hat is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent sun damage to your hair, scalp, and face. Baseball hats and UV-resistant hats are great. If you prefer a straw sunhat, make sure the weave is tight to prevent the sun from leaking through.
5. Take a hair-strengthening supplement
If you want to protect your hair from the sun but still need to spend time outside, you need to find a way to repair hair damage and reinforce your strands. Taking a daily supplement can help you achieve those luscious, long locks that you’ve been dreaming of. Nutrafol hair growth supplements can support your hair’s growth all summer long. With five products for women and men, Nutrafol’s physician-formulated supplements are made to target everybody throughout different periods of their lives.
6. Opt for a bun
You can also limit the amount of sun your hair sees by wearing your hair up, ideally in a bun. While some of your hair will be exposed, most of it (along with your scalp) will be protected. Here are a few other stylish beach hairstyles you can try as well.
7. Avoid other damaging hair behaviors
Weak hair is prone to breakage and damage. By limiting harmful hair habits, you can make sure your strands are in tip-top shape for a day out in the sun. For example, you should be using a sulfate-free shampoo and a hydrating conditioner. It’s also a good idea to avoid wet brushing and to limit overexposure to heat-styling products.
8. Stay hydrated
This is something you should be doing anyway during warmer weather! But since water keeps your hair hydrated, it can make it more resilient to UV rays and sun damage.
How to Protect Your Hair from the Sun and Fix Sun-Damaged Hair
If you forgot your hat or UV-protective spray at home, don’t stress. Sun damage isn’t great for your hair, but there are some ways to help salvage things after the fact.
Use a hot oil treatment
If the sun has left your hair brittle and dry, you can try to restore the moisture using a hot oil treatment. You can go to a salon for this, or you can make a DIY at home using olive oil and liquid from vitamin E capsules.
To further protect your hair from sun damage, consider using a lightweight, restorative oil. This innovative product helps repair and strengthen hair at a molecular level, combating the effects of UV exposure and environmental stress.
Invest in a moisturizing hair mask
Similar to the oil treatment, a hair mask can also try to add more moisture back into your locks. Look for a protein-rich mask (to strengthen the keratin in your strands) to improve the health and appearance of your hair. You can even opt to make your own restorative hair mask — here’s how!Â
Avoid heat styling
After a long time in the sun, your hair will be even more susceptible to damage. Therefore, you don’t want to worsen the problem by using heat styling tools until your hair is healthy again.
Trim your split ends
As they always say – regular trims can keep your hair looking happy and healthy! While it won’t fix any damage, a cut can reduce frizz and even prevent further damage.
Protect Your Hair From the Sun This Summer by Following These Simple Steps
Summer is meant to be enjoyed, but that doesn’t mean your hair has to suffer in the process. Taking time to protect your hair from the sun helps prevent dryness, fading, breakage, and unnecessary damage before it starts. A few intentional choices each day can keep your hair looking healthy no matter how high the temperatures climb.
The best routines are often the simplest. Wearing protective accessories, using nourishing products, and giving your hair extra moisture after spending time outdoors all work together to protect your hair from the sun without adding hours to your beauty routine.
Start making sun protection part of your regular hair care habits now instead of waiting until damage becomes visible. The more consistently you protect your hair from the sun, the healthier, shinier, and stronger it will look throughout the entire summer and beyond!
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