How To Protect Your Hair from The Sun
Summer has finally arrived, and the luscious locks catching the sun’s rays look stunning on you. According to dermatologists, skin influencers, and beauty editors, sunscreen is the most crucial skincare product in your daily routine. It guards the skin against free radicals, pigmentation, acne, and skin cancer. However, we all must pay proper attention to sun hair care. When your hair gets wholly exposed to the sun’s rays for an extended time, UVA and UVB radiation can damage the cuticle, which is the outer layer of the hair strand. It can cause discoloration, early greying, dry and brittle strands, broken or split ends, thinning, and frizziness by damaging the hair shaft. The summer sun and pollutants from the environment make the scalp sweaty and greasy, aggravating the problem and potentially causing permanent damage. So, here are some suggestions for preventing sun damage to your hair.
Wear a hat.
Wearing a hat may seem self-evident, but it is the easiest and one of the brilliant-most natural ways to protect hair from the scorching sun. Cover your head, especially if you’re going out during the hottest part of the day. A wide-brimmed hat that can also shed your face and neck provides additional sun protection. It’s usually preferable to choose a brand that sells hats with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) number, as these are FDA-approved and regulated.
Stay away from bleach.
If you’re going on a beach vacation, don’t touch up your hair color a few weeks ahead of time. On hair, the sun’s rays behave like bleach. An irreversible chemical reaction, which could even be harmful, starts to react with the melanin present in your hair and fade the color. Keratin in your hair will also get damaged as a result. Hot tools and hair lightening can further damage the protein, allowing sun and heat to penetrate the hair more quickly, resulting in brittle hair strands.
Avoid using too much heat.
If your hair has already got exposed to the sun’s rays for a long time, you don’t need to use straighteners or blow dry it again. Reduce the amount of heat you are making your hair bear. When drying your hair, utilize a low-temperature setting and a serum to protect your hair — letting your hair air dry, if possible, is the best option.
Apply oil treatment to retain moisture.
Even if you aren’t stepping outside every day, even a few minutes in the hot summer heat can dry your hair. Maintain moisture with a weekly mask or red onion hair oil treatment to retain moisture. Apply Oil to damp strands or dry ends before sun exposure if you’re heading out. Because the summer heat tends to open up the cuticle and makes it even more porous, your hair will be able to absorb and repair the moisturizing treatment even more quickly.
Consider an overnight treatment.
Overnight hair treatments might be especially beneficial during the summer months. Deep conditioning can help your hair stay hydrated and vibrant. Apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair, focusing on the roots, and wrap it in a towel overnight. Some leave-in conditioners have built-in SPF protection, which might be a good option in the summer, especially if you decide to spend the whole day by the pool or at a beach.
Use sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.
Choose hair care products containing SPF and UV protection, such as shampoo, serum, or a leave-in conditioner. A sulfate-free shampoo is much gentler on color-treated or chemically processed damaged hair. A sulfate-free shampoo helps curly, frizzy hair maintain moisture. Other shampoos with sulfates might dry the hair and scalp by stripping them of their natural oils.
Get your hair covered with a scarf or hair wrap.
The best strategy to minimize more damage is to keep your hair covered from the sun. The best solutions for this are a hair scarf or a hair wrap. To construct a triangle, fold the scarf diagonally. To change the length of the scarf, fold it over at the crease where the fold is. Begin wrapping the scarf around your head on your forehead and tying it between your crown and the nape of your neck, and you’re ready to go.
Include antioxidants in your diet.
Incorporate a variety of fruits and veggies in many colors into your diet. A rainbow diet, consisting of four to five different fruits and vegetables, is high in antioxidants, which reduce oxidative damage to your hair and body. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also crucial for keeping your health in check.
Conclusion
Protecting your hair from the sun will help it look great all summer long. And by learning how to protect your hair from sun damage, you can maintain a healthy head of hair without sacrificing your fun in the sun.