Summer is right around the corner and, if you’re like me, that comes with many more outdoor activities. Beach days, hiking, backyard cookouts, etc. It's pretty easy to remember to protect your skin from the sun during these harsh summer months, but what about the part of your body that is the most exposed to the sun? You may be familiar with the idea of using the sun to lighten your hair; in fact - the hairdressing term balayage (meaning “to sweep” in french) originates from replicating the effects of the sun on children's hair, leaving you with a ‘sun-kissed’ effect. What you may not realize is the extreme effects the sun can have on the health and appearance of your locks.In this blog post I will go over what the sun actually does to your hair then share various ways you can protect your hair during your upcoming summer outings.

It is broadly understood that the sun can lighten your hair if you’re exposed for certain lengths of time. What you may not know is that rays from the sun can also cause degradation of the proteins in your hair. If you’re curious about proteins in hair, check out my blog post about bond builders.

What is Hair protein degradation? According to the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B, Hair protein degradation is loss of protein in the hair shaft, thought to be caused by Ultraviolet (UV) light inducing the oxidation of sulfur molecules which results in oxidation of polypeptide and amine carbon chains. This can result in many hair issues such as dryness, reduced strength, rough surface texture, loss of color, decreased luster/shine, stiffness, and brittleness.

UV is a form of radiation emitted by the sun and a few artificial sources such as tanning beds. UV is measured by size of wavelength in nanometers (nm), and divided into 3 separate categories:

Shortwave UVC: 100-280 nm
Mediumwave UVB: 280-315 nm
Longwave UVA: 315-400 nm

The National Library of Medicine states that hair protein degradation is induced in wavelengths of 254-400 nm. This is because although Shortwave UVC is the most damaging UV light, it is almost completely filtered by our atmosphere. UVA is most responsible for shifts and changes in hair color, and UVB light is more responsible for hair protein loss.

In this case, if the hair is damaged by the sun, it is a similar situation as the hair being damaged by lightening agents, as the protein bonds in the hair have been weakened, compromising the integrity of the hair fibers. If you are already experiencing damage from the sun, I would recommend checking out my blog post on bond builders, for some more information about the bonds of the hair and products I suggest to restore the integrity of the hair.

Let’s go over ways to help you prevent any damage from occurring to your hair in the upcoming summer months. Darker hair, hair that contains more melanin, does have more natural protection from the sun. This is because darker melanin pigment absorbs UV light. So technically speaking, coloring your hair darker can be a way to prevent sun damage, but I won't be recommending it as I think all hair types need additional protection. Especially, naturally and processed blondes that are the most prone to sun damage. Any products mentioned are linked to purchase if interested.

The first line of defense is the most obvious, and that would be using a physical barrier to protect the hair from receiving UV light. Hats, scarves, wraps, umbrellas, etc. Physically blocking the light from reaching your hair strands and scalp, is the best way to avoid damage. I think especially for already compromised or porous hair types, even for quick outings, like walking the dog and going to the store. Sun damage can occur in as little as 5-10 minutes.

Another great practice is to remember to apply sun protection to the scalp itself. Your hair is meant to protect the scalp, but it won’t completely stop UV light especially around the hairline and along your part. Scandinavian Biolabs mentions that although the hair effectively reduces the chances of specifically melanoma, a form of skin cancer, from forming; there is still an increased chance of skin lesions and other skin cancers on the scalp.

Another scalp issue caused by UV radiation is hair follicle dystrophy, where UV radiation alters DNA in hair follicle tissue, leading to increased fragility (or weakness) of the hair shaft.

My recommendation is using any spf products you would use on your face on the hairline and along the scalp as it is essentially the same skin, and sunscreen meant for the face tends to be less greasy. My personal favorite is Paula's Choice Extra Care Non Greasy Sunscreen, as it is 50 spf and it blends really nicely with no tint and matte finish.If your hair tends to be really oily already, and you won't tolerate a potentially greasy spf mineral powder spf, generally for setting makeup, is a great option to use along exposed areas of your scalp. On more sun-intensive days, (beach or lake days, working out outside, or hiking, for example) I really just recommend using a strong, high spf, water-proof sunscreen on the scalp as you want to ensure it doesn't wash away or sweat off throughout the day, and your scalp remains protected.

Now for the hair strands themselves, I would never recommend using any ordinary spf products as the chemicals contained in them can be damaging to the hair or hair color themselves. Blonde hair or those with blonde extensions need to be extra careful with spf as common ingredients avebenzone and octocrylene have been found to greatly discolor hair with a pink or orange tone.

There are a lot of hair products specifically formulated for heat protection, such as leave-ins and serums, that are a great way to add layers of protection to the hair. I recommend verifying before you purchase any product that it is both thermal and UV protective, as not all heat styling products can protect from UV light. My personal favorite for this purpose is the Unite 7-Seconds leave-in detangler. It is the lightest and most nourishing detangler I've used and has the added benefit of giving the hair thermal and UV protection.

In combination with pre-styling protection I highly recommend refreshing the hair with a product containing Argan oil. Aside from the benefits of hydrating the hair, adding shine, and reducing frizz, Argan oil is considered a natural sunscreen as it is known to block UV rays. My highest recommendation for an Argan oil product is Pattern Argan Hair and Scalp Oil Serum, it is incredibly lightweight making it great for all hair types, especially coily and curly hair, and can be applied more often without weighing down the hair.

Hopefully I've convinced you that protecting your hair from harmful UV rays is just as important as protecting your skin. Fortunately, there are many ways to protect your hair from the sun's rays, such as using UV-protectant hair products, wearing a hat, or simply avoiding direct sunlight during peak hours. By taking these steps, you can keep your hair healthy, vibrant, and protected from the damaging effects of UV rays, and you can enjoy healthy, shiny hair all year round.

Have you ever thought about adding sun protection to your hair care routine? Alternatively, have you ever lightened your hair using the sun or experienced some sort of damage caused by UV exposure? Let me know about any of your experiences and what products you like to use in these summer months, would love to hear from you!

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