Every curl, coil and hair strand deserves as much care and attention as your skin often gets, especially when the sun’s rays come into play. Did you know that some of your hot weather hair woes could be treated with the right {hair sun protection}? That’s right, there are {mists}, serums, {shampoos} and {conditioners} expertly designed to shield your tresses from heat and UV damage. Super easy!
Of course, as a loyal member of the CB community you’ll always get the hottest tea when it comes to product recommendations. That’s why we’ve put together a handy list of the best sun protection for your hair; harness the power of sleek, frizz-free hair all year long!
How does the sun damage your hair and scalp?
Listen up guys, class is officially in session! Your resident {hair care} heroes are here to fill you in on why it’s essential to invest in proper sun protection for your hair and scalp.
If you’re addicted to your {hair styling tools}, straighteners, hair dryers, you name it, there’s a good chance you’re no stranger to heat damage. Well, it turns out the sun’s UV rays can harm your hair strands in the same way. Experts say that UVA and UVB rays damage the hair cuticle (that’s right, cuticles don’t just grow on your fingers!), which is the outermost layer of the hair strand. Long story short, this leads to brittle, frizz-prone and parched strands… Sound familiar?
Don’t worry, we’re not here to judge! We’re here to guide you on this hair protection journey. Some of the other key signs that your hair may be sun damaged include:
- Changing hair colour or premature greying
- Dry, unmanageable strands
- Curls dropping quickly
Let’s not forget about our scalps too. Many of us are all too aware of that sore sensation pulsing through our scalp after a day of sun soaking. It makes us *shudder* just thinking about it! Just like the rest of the skin on our bodies your scalp needs to be protected from the sun. If not, you’re leaving yourself open to sunburn and cell damage. So with that in mind, how do we prevent it?
How to protect your hair from sun damage
Protecting your hair from the sun’s harmful rays doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, it’s best to keep things super simple! Here are some easy breezy ways to keep your strands safe in the sun.
Take cover!
Some say that shade is the best hair sun protection out there. Limiting your sun exposure is the easiest way to prevent hair and skin damage. Find a shady spot to comfortably lounge and bask in the summer heat, without risking your hair health in the process.
Invest in UV filter hair products
UV filters are crafty chemicals that are designed to protect our hair from damage from UVA and UVB rays. Cool, right? You can find these in some of the best hair sun protection formulas, so you can rest assured that your locks are ‘on lock’ no matter how hot it is outside. Some of the key hair care UV filters to look out for include:
- Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
- Methoxydibenz-oylmethane
- Parsol SLX
On the other hand, if you don’t fancy studying your shampoo and conditioner formulas (we don’t blame you if you have better things to do), you can always rely on our {Cult Concierge] team to do the hard work for you! Drop them a line to get the latest and greatest product recommendations.
Slather on the scalp sunscreen
Don’t forget your scalp! You can apply a thin layer of your usual SPF to any partings to keep your skin shielded. Alternatively, take the time to find the right scalp sunscreen formula that properly cares for your hair and the skin it grows out from.
When protecting your scalp, look for broad spectrum UVA & UVB protection and top up every two hours for round-the-clock protection.
Remember to reapply
Keep in mind that not all UV protectors are waterproof so if on holiday and swimming, it’s a good idea to reapply after to avoid dehydration and colour fading.
The best hair sun protection products: Team CB recommends
You know we had to hook you up with the best of the best hair sun protection formulas, so we’ve enlisted the expertise of {Sarah} and {Connor} from {Cult Concierge} for their top product recs.