Sun Damaged Hair: 5 Tips to Prevent It
When it comes to protecting yourself from the damaging effects of the sun, there is a high chance that your main focus is on your skin. Note, though, that just like the skin, your hair also needs protection from the sun. It suffers just as much as your skin when exposed excessively to the sun.
How the Sun Can Damage Your Hair
Regardless of the type, texture, and color of hair you have, it is vulnerable to damage when exposed excessively to the sun. Light-colored and fine hair is even more prone to sun damage and this kind of damage tends to go deeper. The reason is that light-colored and fine hair does not have the pigment or thickness that may protect it from the harmful rays of the sun.
Coarser and darker hair means that the strands are oilier. They are also thicker and darker, which can give a sort of protection. Still, you should avoid being too complacent as all hair types and colors are at risk of sun damage. It could be due to the fact that the rays of the sun work similarly to bleach in the sense that it reacts with hair melanin and gets rid of its natural color irreversibly.
Both UVA and UVB rays are also very damaging to the hair. For one, UVA rays may change your natural hair color and keep your shaft weak. Meanwhile, UVB rays tend to break down your hair shaft’s proteins, leading to dullness, brittleness, and breakage. UV rays also cause your hair’s amino acids to get oxidized, resulting in photo-yellowing.
One more thing that UV radiation may cause to your hair’s outer layers is to detach and rupture them. This may cause your hair strands to get weak and develop split ends. Fortunately, you can prevent this kind of damage that may be brought on by the heat of the sun. You will get to know more about preventing sun-damaged hair through this article.
How to Prevent Hair from Getting Damaged by the Sun?
To prevent the sun from damaging your hair too much, here are some ways to give each strand a sort of protection.
#1 – Moisturize your hair
It is possible to address sun-damaged hair by using products that you also use in dealing with damages caused by other factors. One way to prevent and treat sun damage, therefore, is to use products designed to restore moisture on your hair safely. Note that dry and damaged hair needs moisture to bring back its strength and prevent it from getting damaged even further.
In this case, you may want to start by using a hydrating shampoo and pairing it up with the same hydrating conditioner. It also helps to use a moisture-rich hair mask, conditioning detangler, and heat protectant. These products may be what you need in hydrating your hair from all angles.
Be very careful in choosing products designed to protect your hair, though. Ensure that they are safe and truly effective in strengthening your hair, repairing damage, and protecting it from further breakage in the future. Choose to use products guaranteed to reveal healthy and strong hair.
#2 – Use UV protection
It is not necessary to apply too much sunscreen on your hair just to avoid sun damage. What you should do, instead, is invest in products with a specific formula for protecting hair from the damaging rays of the sun.
One thing to remember when looking for the best UV protection for your hair is that you can find products that suit various hair textures and types. Pick one that perfectly fits your styling requirements. This can assure you that you will not only receive optimal UV protection but also better frizz protection, shine, and volume.
#3 – Apply a UV filtering styler
Some haircare products actually serve another important purpose aside from being a styling cream – that is acting as a shield from the harmful UV rays. Such products may serve as your hair’s sunscreen. It, therefore, works in blocking UV rays while providing a sea-breezy and light hold. In addition, these UV filtering products also serve as color sealants, which is good if you have dyed hair.
#4 – Wear a hat
Of course, one of the easiest ways to protect your hair from the harsh effects of the sun is to wear a hat or any other covering. You may wrap your hair with a scarf or put on a wide-brimmed hat. You may also protect your hair by using an umbrella. Any type of covering for your hair will serve as your ultimate defense from sun damage. It is also the key to shielding your dry scalp from possible damage.
#5 – Stay away from chemicals
When it comes to protecting your hair from the sun, you should remember that chlorinated water, specifically the one used in pools, and the process of lightening hair, make your hair more prone to the stresses and damage of the sun and heat. With that in mind, you should try to lessen the number of times you get lightening treatments. It is also highly recommended to rinse your hair thoroughly right after you swim in a pool with chlorinated water.
Conclusion
It is actually not that hard to protect your hair from the harsh effects of the sun. However, if you already incur sun damage, the best thing that you can do is to act on it right away to ensure that it won’t get worse. In this case, the best way to fix sun-damaged hair is to apply a restorative hair mask rich in protein.
This particular mask can help in revitalizing and nourishing your dry strands. Apply it right after getting exposed to the sun so you can repair the damage immediately. A simple trim can also help in fixing sun-damaged hairs. Have your ends trimmed regularly, specifically every three months or so, to keep your hair strands healthy while encouraging growth.
