Although everyone knows that applying sunscreen and avoiding over-exposure to the sun is the key to having healthy skin, did you know that the same concept applies to your hair, as well? Just as the sun can dry out the skin and accelerate the the signs of aging, so too can the sun cause excessive hair dryness and lead to extreme damage to the cuticle. While we don’t recommend you go and slather your hair with sunscreen, there are a number of important tips you can follow to keep your hair protected.
Know Your Hair Type
One of the first steps in protecting your hair from the sun is to figure out what your hair type is. Certain types of hair are more susceptible to being damaged by the sun, and people in these categories need to take extra precautions when it comes to staying sun safe. For instance, hair that is on the thin side lacks the natural protection afforded by thicker hair, which can damage not only the deeper roots of your hair, but your scalp, as well. Additionally, did you know that the color of your hair can impact how protected your hair is from sun radiation? The darker your hair is, the more protected from radiation you are, much like in the way that tan skin is more protected from sun damage than pale skin is. Lastly, hair texture plays a huge role in sun protection, as oily, moisturized hair is much less likely to dry out than brittle, naturally dry hair.
Go Easy on Your Hair!
It’s generally good advice to avoid over-styling your hair or subjecting it to too many treatments, but this is especially true in the case of preventing sun damage. Bleaching your hair and applying heat to your hair are both actions that naturally weaken and dry your hair fiber, which in turns weakens your hair’s natural defense from UV radiation. To ensure a healthy head of hair, be careful not to overdo it when it comes to the coloring treatments and blowouts. Additionally, even if you only treat your hair semi-regularly, still be careful with your hair! Even the most infrequent hair treatments put your hair at risk for some sun damage, so always be diligent about keeping your hair protected.
Get Some Extra Help
Make sure to maintain your hair’s moisture levels. Dry, brittle hair is especially susceptible to heat damage, so make sure to not over-wash your hair and to apply an appropriately rich conditioner, such as Sutra’s Replenishing Moroccan Conditioner. If you want to give your hair an extra layer of sun protection, then look no further than Sutra’s Hair Cocktail. The Coconut Oil in the product has a natural UV protection of SPF 8, while the Vitamin C featured in the oil blend offers significant photo protection.