Summertime brings with it all the things we love: beach, holiday, and, of course, sun. However, all good things have a downside – and by this, we mean sun-damaged hair. We discuss how to protect your hair during the summer months!
Understanding the skin
Melanocytes protect our skin. These small cells found in the basal layer of the epidermis are primarily responsible for determining the pigmentation of our skin and protecting it from the sun. How resistant the epidermis is to the sun depends on the quantity of melanocytes present in the body. Although we have this functioning system in our bodies, our hair and skin are not used to prolonged sunlight exposure and this can lead to sun-damaged hair.
Overexposure to the sun can be shocking to the hair. The effects may not be felt on the hair or scalp immediately; however, the sun is slowly burning the different layers of the epidermis causing sun damage to hair. People who have chemically dyed or bleached hair are particularly vulnerable to the effects of the sun. Dry, brittle, weak hair can inevitably lead to significant hair loss. It is therefore vital that you protect your hair from the sun by wearing a hat that shields you from hot UV rays. There have already been cases where irreversible sun damage has lead to hair loss. The burning is so severe that the mother cell is permanently damaged.
The longterm effects
Even though you don’t necessarily feel this damage happening immediately, there are longterm consequences. Hair loss from the damaging effects of the sun is not immediately visible. The reason behind the delayed visibility is seasonal change. You will only notice signs of thinning and loss a few weeks or several months later. You are likely to start seeing hair fall in the autumn, between September and October. In serious problems, the damage is permanent. So it’s important to learn how to protect your hair from the sun.
Protect your hair from the sun
If you have sun-damaged hair and want to protect it next summer, check out these tips:
- Boost moisture in the summer. Help replenish dry and sun-damaged hair by using a pre-shampoo hair oil .
- Regular trims. Waiting too long can cause split ends and result in further damage. Just an inch is enough to boost your hair-health.
- Follow a hair care routine adapted for sun-damaged hair. Use shampoos and conditioners that contain essential oils and natural extracts. Natural products feed the hair with essential plant-based ingredients and oils needed to make your hair look soft, silky, and shiny.
Want to protect your hair from the sun with caring nurturing products? Learn more about our natural hair care range.
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Most of us are pretty good at using sunscreen everyday to protect our skin. But the truth is, not many people are aware that their hair *also* needs daily protection from harmful UV rays. It’s not like you’ll notice a “sunburn” on your hair – your strands don’t feel pain. But just because there aren’t obvious telltale signs (like a giant, red sunburn) doesn’t mean your hair isn’t suffering from sun damage, which btw can heavily impact the texture, strength, elasticity, AND color of your hair. Big yikes. The fact is, sun damage to your hair can sneak up on you. Color fade and weakened texture from UV rays can happen even if you’re just sitting by a sunny window, just like curtains or upholstery fabrics fade in a sunny room because they haven’t been treated with “sun-guard” protectants.
At Color Wow, we’re ALWAYS on a mission to help you stop color fade and protect the health of your hair. And in summer, especially this summer, when we’re all spending more days catchin’ more rays, that means making “hair sunscreen” as much of a summer staple as regular sunscreen. So let’s get to it!
CAN THE SUN DAMAGE YOUR HAIR? LET’S DIVE IN!
According to Color Wow Chemist Dr. Joe Cincotta, Ph.D., “Prolonged exposure to UV rays can degrade and damage your hair’s natural protective lipid layer, the internal protein structure of your hair, AND the pigment of your hair.”
Okay, let’s break down that science-y talk. How important are these three affected areas?
Can the sun damage your hair lipids?
Healthy hair strands have a natural, outer layer of lipids (fatty emollients) that serve as a natural moisture barrier and protection from environmental factors. When UVA and UVB rays cause damage to your hair’s lipid layer and break down this barrier, your hair loses critical moisture. The result is dehydration, frizz, dullness, loss of natural “swing and sway.” This lipid layer is what keeps hair “lubricated” so it has slip and movement. When it breaks down, your hair becomes still, static and motionless….pretty much like a dull, parched, bundle of straw!
Can the sun damage your hair proteins?
UV damage doesn’t just affect the surface of your hair. It can also weaken the internal protein structure of your hair. Kind of like the “spine” of your hair, it’s made up of keratin and is literally what holds your hair together… not to mention that it’s the key to healthy elasticity and strength. Long-term UVB damage to these proteins leaves your hair weak and prone to breakage and split ends. Here’s the really bad news: This kind of damage can be irreversible. (The only cure? Snip, snip.)
Can the sun damage your hair color?
UV rays can definitely damage your hair color, whether it's natural or chemically-treated. If you have “virgin” untreated hair, the more melanin (aka, the darker your hair is) the more natural sun protection it has. The melanin particles in darker hair are 1) darker pigment, 2) bigger, and 3) more plentiful. The melanin particles in blonde hair are 1) lighter pigment, 2) smaller, more fragile, and 3) sparser. So in sunlight, melanin in blonde hair actually breaks down and dissipates faster. That’s why blondes and lighter brunettes get those sunny “natural highlights” in the summer. They look gorgeous, but those highlights can be more fragile and need some extra TLC.
Now, if your hair’s color-treated, sun can make it turn brassy or make the color go funky. That’s because UV rays break down the color and toner molecules that keep your color pure and vivid. On top of that, color-treated hair is more susceptible to protein and lipid layer damage since the hair is already compromised from dehydrating color treatments.
SO WHAT PRODUCTS DO I NEED TO PROTECT MY HAIR FROM SUN DAMAGE?
In case you were wondering, no, you can’t just plop regular sunscreen on your hair and call it a day! No matter what anyone tells you, SPF doesn’t actually protect your hair like it protects your skin.
“Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is a number that determines how long a person can be exposed to intense UVB rays without being burned. SPF is only valid for skin products,” according to Dr. Joe. “There is no valid SPF from UV rays for hair.”
Instead, Dr. Joe suggests you look for hair products that contain ingredients that absorb harmful UV rays, such as Ethylhexyl Salicylate or Octyl Salicylate. Here are his top 3 go-to recommendations: