With the harsh UV rays damaging your locks as well as your skin, we've put together a useful guide on how to protect hair from sun exposure. From investing in SPF-loaded haircare products to tweaking your diet, let’s take a look at how you can protect and strengthen your strands.
Everyone goes on about the damage the UV rays do to the skin but don’t forget that it can also affect your hair. Even if you are someone who does not go outside in the sun every day, just a few minutes under the harsh rays can cause irreversible damage. So, how to protect hair from sun damage? From changing up your hair wash routine, to covering your head when you step outside, read on to discover how ...
Protecting your hair from the sun – the basics
You slather sunscreen on your skin to keep it protected from sun damage. But your hair demands equal sun protection too. And for good reason—UV rays can damage the cuticle and shaft of your strands, altering their texture, drying them out and causing all manner of mischief (split-ends, premature greying, discolouration and more). This is why it is important to learn how to protect hair from sun exposure.
Tips on how to protect hair from sun damage
Protect from heat
The scorching summer heat is already guilty of stripping your hair of essential moisture. So, at least try to keep the heat styling to a minimum. Heated tools and hair do not go hand-in-hand. They can worsen dry hair as your locks are already weak. But there are occasions when you just need to use them, so for that, it’s time to armour up. Protect your follicles by using a heat-protectant spray like the Tresemme Heat Protection Spray. Featuring keratin, it contains marula oil to keep your hair frizz-free, tame flyaways and keep your hair soft and protected. Simply spray it 10 to 12 inches away from your hair and evenly disperse it with a wide-toothed comb before straightening, curling or blow-drying.
Pamper with hair masks
One way how to protect your hair from sun damage is to strengthen your hair so that the UV rays cannot wreak havoc. Prevention is better than cure after all. A hair mask counters the issue of dry, dull, and damaged hair from the inside out and brings about long-lasting results. Comprising a medley of nourishing oils and ingredients, a mask moisturises your tresses while improving the health of the scalp, reinforcing the strength of your strands, and accelerating growth. You can accompany the mask with steaming to open up the cuticles of the hair.
Pamper your hair weekly with hair masks to restore its natural moisture with the likes of Tresemme Pro Pure Moisture Boost Mask. It’s paraben-free and is loaded with hydrating aloe vera, leaving your hair shiny, smooth and resilient to everyday wear and tear – an added bonus for those with coloured or permanently straightened locks Take a generous amount of the mask and apply it from the mid-length to the tips. Leave it for three to five minutes and then wash it out.
Wear a hat
Cover your hair with a hat (or scarf) to minimise exposure to the sun when you're stepping out of your house. Look for a hat with a brim that is wide enough to cover your face as well as your neck. A wide-brimmed hat creates an extra layer of protection and prevents your hair from coming in direct contact with harsh UV rays.
Invest in SPF
If you want to know how to protect hair from sun, look for similar items that you use for your skin. Yep – you'll find multiple SPF-infused products for your hair too. Just like your skin, you need SPF (sun protection factor) to shield your tresses from the worst of the UV rays. Choose haircare products that contain SPF and suit your hair type, and incorporate them into your regimen for added protection from the sun.
Tweak your diet
If you want a home remedy, be ready to make the sacrifices needed like saying goodbye to junk food. Your diet plays a vital role in keeping your hair healthy and protected. Make sure to include more antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables in your diet. Add dark and leafy green vegetables, seasonal fruits and different types of seeds and nuts to your diet to fortify cells from the inside out, helping to protect against oxidative damage, while keeping your scalp healthy and your hair looking gorgeous on the outside.
Get regular trims
If you don’t remember the last time you got yourself a haircut, then book an appointment ASAP. Having dry and brittle hair that’s full of split ends won't look healthy no matter how many products you use. And with the harsh UV rays frazzling your locks, those split ends will just travel higher till they lead to breakage. We understand that you want to grow your hair long, but go get yourself a little trim every six weeks, because we promise that’s a no-fail and natural ticket to better, healthier and faster hair growth.
Wash less often
Thanks to the summer heat or monsoon humidity, we know your scalp and hair can feel a lot greasier than they do during the winters, but try to avoid washing it every single day. This will end up further stripping your hair of moisture, making it look dry and frizzy. If you already experience a bad hair day after shampooing, simply spritz some Tresemme Fresh Clean Dry Shampoo before bed as it contains a weightless formula, to get you the bouncy hair you dream of the next morning with a long-lasting fragrance. This paraben-free shampoo also contains tapioca extract to remove excess oil without leaving any residue.
Use a conditioner without fail
Conditioners are a godsend for dry and frizzy hair. Not only do they moisturise your strands, but also leave them smooth and tangle-free. But instead of using just about any conditioner, pick one that nourishes your hair since those harsh UVs can leave your strands feeling rough. Keep your hair moisturised with a hydrating conditioner like the Tresemme Pro Pure Moisture Conditioner to restore your natural shine. This paraben-free product has nourishing elements like aloe vera, sunflower seed oil and coconut oil that are perfect for all hair types. It also cleanses hair of excess oil and grime while strengthening weak locks.
Upgrade your hairstyle
The best way to protect your hair from sun damage is to cover it up. The lack of exposure minimises damage and keeps your lock healthy. But if you’re bored with a hat, you can add a fun element to your locks by throwing on a scarf or some cute clips and barrettes for added drama and protection. You can even try various hairstyles such as braids, buns and knots to reduce sweating and control frizz.
Try a leave-in conditioner
Sometimes, simply using a conditioner is not enough, especially if you have naturally dry hair that’s more prone to damage. This is when supplementing your hair with an added layer of nourishment helps. To protect your hair against damage, you can apply a few pumps of a leave-in conditioner to eliminate dryness, while providing an extra layer of protection against UV damage.
Now that you know how to protect hair from sun, chop chop! (Not literally!) But heed the above advice and your hair will thank you for it. All these factors combined together work to protect your hair against the harsh sun and keep it healthy and shiny. So you can enjoy your luxurious mane all summer long!