So, you’ve found the right sunscreen and apply and reapply throughout the day, but are you sure you’re covering all your bases? As it turns out, it’s not just your face and body that needs all-day sun defense—your hair and scalp are just as susceptible to UV damage as your skin. Think dry and brittle strands, fading color, and even scalp sunburn. That’s not at all surprising considering that your hair and scalp get exposed to pollution, heat styling, sweat, and punishing UV rays daily, especially during the summer months. So how do you sun proof your tresses? Below, we list our top UV hair protection tips and scalp sunscreen picks that will keep your locks healthy and luscious all year long.
Table of Contents:
- Understanding Sun Damage to Hair
- What Protective Hair Products Can Prevent Sun Damage?
- How to Prevent Sun Damage to Hair
- How to Protect Long Hair from the Sun
- Sunscreen for the Scalp
- The Bottom Line
Understanding Sun Damage to Hair
Long days of fun in the sun can wreak havoc on your hair and scalp both at the surface and cellular levels and even hasten hair aging or graying. Ultraviolet radiation breaks down the hair’s external lipid layer that protects your strands from environmental stressors. When this outer covering is compromised, your hair struggles to maintain moisture, leading to dryness and frizz. At the same time, UV light can penetrate hair and scalp and weaken their internal structures, causing brittleness, split ends, and breakage.
Dyed hair is particularly prone to sun damage since color treatments tend to dehydrate and weaken your locks and cause strands to be more porous. Prolonged sun exposure also has a bleaching effect and reacts with the hair’s melanin. It can strip your hair of natural pigments, damage the cuticle and hair proteins, and cause dyed hair to look brassy faster. So, those “natural” streaks you get after a full day of sun worshiping? Telltale signs of sun damage.
And although the scalp is slightly thicker than the skin on your face and body, it can still suffer from sunburn since hair alone isn’t enough to ward off UV rays. Sunburn can occur anywhere on your scalp, along the hairline, or on more exposed areas where hair is thinner (like the top of your head, where the hair parts). It can involve redness, pain, and even mild swelling, which then leads to peeling and flaking that can often look like dandruff.
What Protective Hair Products Can Prevent Sun Damage?
There are several hair products that do the all-too-important task of keeping your strands and scalp safe from the sun. Translucent SPF powders work best for the scalp, especially if you want to keep excess oil and slick under control. A UV heat protectant spray is also a great option as it coats your hair with a protective layer that blocks harmful radiation and stems damage from heat tools and other external stressors. Plus, UV hair sprays make on-the-go SPF top-ups a breeze.
Likewise, hair serums and leave-in conditioners with UV filters can offer longer-lasting sun protection while preserving hair health, taming frizz, and maintaining luster, volume, and moisture. The same is true for shampoos and conditioners that enhance your hair’s defenses from heat and sun exposure while making sure to repair existing damage and restore hair health.
When it comes to choosing the right UV hair protection, it’s always good to choose formulas with multitasking ingredients that do more for your hair. Always check the back label for these ingredients:
- Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide: These mineral UV blockers are naturally broad spectrum and are praised for being gentle and safe for all skin types.
- Antioxidants: Heavy-hitting antioxidants—like green tea, niacinamide, and vitamins C and E—not only counter free radical damage and oxidative stress caused by exposure to UV radiation and the elements, but they also help strengthen your hair strands, enhance sun protection, and preserve moisture.
- Hydrators and moisturizers: Humectants like hyaluronic acid attract water from the air and into your hair and scalp while plant extracts and nourishing oils like argan, sunflower, and castor oils help lock in moisture, softening and smoothening hair along the way.
- Biotin: This B vitamin helps restore and strengthen hair strand integrity and repairs damaged cuticles.
How to Prevent Sun Damage to Hair
Aside from using UV hair protection, there are a few equally important steps you can take to make sure you’re staying safe under the sun.
- Use physical barriers like a hat or scarf. An umbrella, floppy hat, or scarf is a must if you plan to stay out in the sun for a long time. Opt for wide-brimmed hats and tightly woven fabrics to keep as much UV light out as possible.
- Limit peak sunlight exposure. Stay in the shade during the hottest times of the day (between 10 AM and 4 PM), and schedule outdoor activities early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
- Avoid chemical treatments. Some hair care products and treatments contain chemicals that can dry out and weaken hair, making them more vulnerable under the sun. Steer clear of chemical treatments and harsh ingredients, especially if you’re noticing early signs of UV damage, such as discoloration, dryness, and frizz.
- Cut back on heat styling. Your hair takes a beating from the sun during the day, so the last thing it needs is to be exposed to more heat. Take a break from heat styling from time to time, and especially when heading outdoors for an extended period. For those days when you do want to blow dry, curl, or straighten your locks, make sure to grab a heat protectant before using your hot tools.
- Hydrate from within. Heat and humidity can zap moisture from your hair, so you’re going to need all the hydration you can get. Drinking lots of water helps replenish and stimulate your cells and hair follicles, keeps strands hydrated, and prevents scalp concerns like itchiness, dryness, and flaking.
How to Protect Long Hair from the Sun
Long, luscious, and bouncy hair is one ‘do that never goes out of style no matter the season, but rocking wavy, summer-ready locks isn’t as carefree as it looks. Long hair is more prone to dryness, tangles, and breakage, which means you need to add extra steps in your routine to maintain its health. Use a hair mask and a gentle deep conditioner at least once a week and after spending a day in the sun to restore nutrients and replenish parched hair and scalp. In the shower, give your scalp a soothing massage to help your hair products settle and do their magic. Make sure to use a wide-tooth comb to manage tangles instead of a hairbrush as this can damage your hair cuticles and cause breakage, especially on wet hair. Squeeze excess water out with a soft towel and apply a leave-in conditioner before letting your hair air-dry.
Sunny days also mean getting creative with hairstyles that help minimize sun exposure. Get that vintage vibe going by wrapping your hair in a scarf or donning a floppy hat. You can also go for a laidback look with a loose and messy bun or chic braids.
Sunscreen for the Scalp
Scalp sunburn may not be as common, but when you consider the fact that the top of your head soaks up a lot of sun during the day, it only makes sense to give it as much protection as possible. After all, you can’t achieve healthy hair without a healthy scalp.
While sunscreens come in different forms to suit every preference, certain formula types work better as scalp sunscreen than others. Fortunately, there are plenty of sunscreen products specifically formulated with the scalp in mind. Aside from sun safety, scalp-specific sun protection also targets common concerns—such as excess oil, dryness, flaking, and itchiness—while keeping things safe and gentle for those with a sensitive scalp. Powder SPFs do a great job of keeping harmful UV light away and double as a dry shampoo, helping absorb hair grease without weighing it down or making it look chalky.
A sunscreen spray is another versatile pick that fits the bill, offering protection not only for the hair and scalp but also the rest of your body. Opt for lightweight and fast-drying formulations that won’t leave a tacky residue to avoid a greasy finish and make application easier and quicker during unexpectedly sunny days.
The Bottom Line
While staying in the shade will always be your best line of defense against UV damage, that doesn’t mean you’ll have to sacrifice fun in the sun. By adjusting your hair care routine to include sun safety essentials, like UV heat protectants, scalp sunscreens, and products that nourish and restore your hair health—such as hair masks, leave-in conditioners, and deep conditioners—you can safely enjoy the great outdoors without letting your hair and scalp take a hit from the sun’s rays. Drinking lots of water, steering clear of products and treatments with harsh chemicals, taking a break from heat styling, and wearing hats and scarves will also help ensure your hair and scalp stay healthy and damage-free.
