Does the sun damage your hair? Yes, it does.
If you don’t take precautions, you could find yourself with broken ends and split ends. Do you want to enjoy the sun this season while keeping your hair shiny and healthy?
Table of Contents
The Damage Of The sun To Your Hair
Lipid Damage For Hair
- Prolonged exposure to the sun breaks down the lipids in the outer layers of hair, and these lipids have a natural protective effect on environmental factors. This is one of the main causes of dryness and frizz because, without this layer, your hair can’t retain moisture.
Internal Damage For Hair
- Sunlight can also damage the internal structure of hair, weakening it and making it prone to breaking and splitting.
Color Damage For Hair
- If your hair is dyed, it’s more vulnerable to both internal and external damage, as color treatments can dehydrate your hair and make it vulnerable.
Best Ways To Protect Your Hair From Sun
Signs of Damaged Hair Under The Sun
Three signs of damaged hair under the sun include:
Discoloration Sign
Dramatic color changes are a sign that ultraviolet light is reacting with melanin in your hair.
Change In Texture Sign
Your smooth hair now becomes dry, rough, and brittle. What’s more, it doesn’t swing freely.
Split Ends Sign
Your strands become more fragile and prone to breakage especially when the sun hits your hair.
Read about: How Often Should I Condition My Hair: According To The Conditioner I Am Using – Make Up Is My Art
How to Protect Your Hair from Sun Damage
Insert A Barrier
To protect hair from the sun naturally, use a physical barrier like a scarf or hat. But keep in mind that not every hat provides the same level of UV defense for your hair. Hats with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating are your best choice for lowering sun exposure to your hair because they have been FDA-approved and tested. Otherwise, choose a tightly woven garment over a straw hat with an open weave, which can allow harmful UV rays to enter.
Reduce Exposure To The Sun’s Peak
Avoid being in the sun during the hottest hours of the day to prevent sunburn. This recommendation also applies to protecting your hair. Schedule your outdoor activities for early in the day or late in the day. While the sun won’t be completely avoided, you will avoid some of its harshest and most dangerous rays.
Maintain Your Scalp’s Health
Your hair partially, but not completely, shades your scalp from the light. In fact, because it isn’t used to getting a lot of direct sunlight, your scalp may be especially delicate and sensitive. Your hair’s roots may become dry and sunburned as a result of your scalp being exposed to too much sunlight. Make sure to moisturize frequently to maintain the health of your scalp (more on that later).
Skip The Chemicals
In the summer, going to the pool and enjoying the sun go hand in hand. However, chemicals like chlorine can corrode your hair, making it even more susceptible to UV damage. Your hair is similarly affected by the chemicals used in lightening procedures, becoming brittle and more vulnerable to the sun’s harmful rays. For the best protection, it can be worthwhile to stay away from bleach-based color treatments even though it’s not necessary to give up a sun-kissed appearance for the summer.
Stop Heat Styling For A While
The lighting is already too intense. Heat styling will only make the damage worse. You don’t have to put away blow dryers and curling irons permanently; just use them less frequently throughout the summer to keep your hair strong. If you use a styling product like Hair Balm to give your strands a break, you might achieve a frizz-free, air-dried style. Of course, there will still be times when you prefer a blown-out, straightened, or curled look. When using hot tools, be sure to wear a heat protectant like Dressed Up to keep yourself safe from heat and UV radiation.
Put In Extra Work To Moisturize
One of the easiest ways to tell if your hair has been damaged by the sun is if it is dry; therefore, you should regularly moisturize your hair to avoid this. Don’t just buy the biggest conditioner bottle you can find, though. In fact, if you switch from regular shampoo to one without soap, you won’t even require a separate conditioner.
Because a conditioner replenishes moisture lost in traditional shampoo, which strips natural oils from hair. Using a soap-free cleanser like New Wash, however, will prevent those oils from being removed in the first place, preserving your natural moisture and barrier of protection. You could add more hydration by using a leave-in conditioner like Hair Balm.
Suggestions About Outdoor Hair Protection Measures In Summer
What if you want to spend the summer outside but don’t want to have wavy, uninteresting hair?
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat, a scarf in your hair, or an umbrella to protect yourself from the elements.
- Every morning and every evening, go outside and protect your skin.
- Wear a swimming cap or style your hair into a high bun if you’re swimming in a chlorinated pool to keep it dry.
- If your hair gets wet, make sure to rinse the pool water—which contains chemicals like chlorine—out of your hair with clean water.
- Use conditioners and conditioners that are appropriate for your environment, hair type, and color.
Many people consider summer to be their favorite season, however, the next time you are in the sun, remember to cover your hair.
Summary
Obviously, the sun is bad for your hair. The article talked about the damage of sun to how to your hair and gave protection methods to hair from the sun. Last, show suggestions about outdoor hair protection measures in summer.
