by Rossi Digital July 19, 2022

The Ways You Can Protect Your Hair from Sun Damage

You apply sunscreen before going out into the summer sun. But, do you take steps to protect your hair from sun damage?

Just as the sun may cause havoc on your skin, its rays can also harm your hair. If you don't take precautions, you can wind up with broken, split ends that need to be cut sooner than you'd want.

Try these stylist-recommended ways to avoid sun damage if you want to keep your hair looking bright and healthy while enjoying the sun this season.

The Ways Sun Can Damage the Hair

The sun's UVA and UVB radiation can harm your colour and style in a variety of ways:

Prolonged sun exposure can degrade your hair's outer layer of lipids, providing natural protection against environmental factors. One of the main reasons your hair is looking dry and frizzy is because it cannot retain moisture. 

The sun can also harm your hair's internal structures, making it prone to breakage and split ends.

If your hair is coloured, it’s more prone to internal and external damage since colour treatments can dry and weaken your hair. Because dry hair is more porous, colour is more readily rinsed out. UV rays work like bleach on your hair, breaking down pigment and causing it to fade or turn brassy faster than usual.

Protecting Your Hair from Sun Damage

Just like you would wear SPF every day, there are various things you can do to protect your hair before going out in the sun.

Keep a Healthy Scalp

To some extent, your hair shields your scalp from the sun, but not entirely. In fact, because your scalp isn't used to being exposed to a lot of direct sunlight, it might be more sensitive and delicate. Too much sun on your scalp can cause sunburn and dryness, harming your hair's roots. To keep your scalp in good condition, apply SPF to your hair part and moisturise regularly.

Physical Protection

A physical barrier, such as a scarf or hat, is a simple approach to organically shielding hair from the sun. However, when it comes to hair sun protection, not all hats are made equal. If you want to really be sun smart, choose a hat with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 50+. Wide brimmed hats with thick fabrics are your best chance for minimising hair sun exposure.  

Hair Care Routine with SPF Products

You already use sunscreen on your face, so why not add an SPF product to your hair care routine? There are several SPF products designed to safeguard your hair, whether you use a spray or powder-based protection.

Reduce Exposure to Chemicals

The sun and the pool frequently go hand in hand in the summer, but chemicals like chlorine can weaken your hair, leaving it more prone to UV damage. They can leave your hair fragile and sensitive to the sun's harsh rays. When swimming in pools, you may benefit from swim caps.

Reduce Heat Styling

The sun is already harsh enough. Heat styling will just increase the damage. While you don't have to abandon your blow dryer and curling irons entirely, using them less frequently throughout the summer will help keep your hair strong.

Reducing Sun Exposure

We all know that to avoid sunburn we need to minimise exposure to the sun during the warmest portion of the day – and the same applies to safeguarding your hair.  Organise summer hangs with friends and family for early in the morning or late in the afternoon. While you can’t altogether avoid the sun, you will be able to dodge some of its harshest and most harmful rays. We all learnt that quintessential Aussie saying ‘between 11 and three slip under a tree’.

Conclusion

From using the right products to protecting your hair through your everyday routines, there are several ways you can keep your hair safe from sun damage. By following these tips, you can enjoy your summer without worrying about what your hair might look like when you return to the office.

Are you looking to buy hair products in Australia? K18 is the exclusive Official Australian Distributor of K18 Hair, offering products that can clinically reverse hair damage. Check out our collection today!

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