The sun’s UV rays can damage hair and scalp, but with proper protection, restorative treatments, and the right products, you can maintain strong, healthy locks.
Key Takeaways
- Prolonged UV exposure weakens strands, fades color, and leads to issues like brittleness, breakage, and premature hair fall.
- To avoid sun damage, you need to protect your hair with physical covering, hair sunscreen, rinsing hair after swimming, as well as using proper hair care.
- If your hair has been damaged by the sun, you can restore moisture by using the right products.
Most people only take the time to wear sunscreen on their faces and exposed body parts to protect them against the rays of the sun. But the thing is, the sun’s ultraviolet rays can do just as much damage to the hair and scalp as they can do to your face and the rest of your body. If this is news to you, keep reading! We’ll explain how the sun can damage the hair and share how to fix sun damaged hair.
How Can the Sun Damage Your Hair?
Does hair get damaged by the sun? Yes, it surprisingly does. Even though your scalp and hair have natural defenses, like melanin and the protective cuticle layer, these safeguards aren’t foolproof.
As with skin, prolonged exposure to UV rays can weaken your strands and scalp. Your hair strands and the melanin within them help shield your scalp by absorbing some of the UV radiation. But melanin decreases with age, especially as hair turns gray or white. Thinner hair also exposes the scalp more directly to sunlight.
Without sufficient protection, UV rays penetrate deeply into your hair shafts and scalp, leading to different forms of damage:
1. Skin Aging
UV radiation in sunlight accelerates skin aging, or photoaging, including on your scalp. Prolonged exposure makes your scalp more prone to sunburn, dryness, and irritation. Beyond cosmetic effects, overexposure raises the risk of skin cancer. UVA and UVB rays increase the production of free radicals that trigger inflammation and DNA mutations, interfering with cellular repair.
2. Premature Hairfall
Oxidative stress caused by intense sun exposure can cause hair follicles to move from the anagen (or growing) phase to the telogen (or resting) phase, which triggers hair fall. This hair fall is temporary but disruptive to hair growth and can make you lose more strands than usual in a short period.
3. Hair Breakage
Similar to heat-damaged hair, UV-damaged hair often loses moisture, making it weaker and more fragile. Dry strands are more likely to snap when brushed or styled.
Repeated sun exposure can lead to split ends, thinning strands, and an overall brittle texture that’s prone to breakage.
4. Hair Brittleness
One of the most common signs of UV damage is brittleness. When the sun strips your hair of natural oils and weakens the protein bonds, your strands lose their flexibility.
Brittle hair feels stiff, rough, and often snaps with minimal tension. The once smooth and soft texture, when damaged by UV rays, is replaced by a straw-like quality, making it harder to style and more prone to damage from everyday wear and tear.
5. Hair Fading
Just like your skin tans or burns in the sun, your hair color—whether natural or dyed—can fade with prolonged exposure. UV rays break down melanin pigments, leading to lighter or uneven tones in natural hair.
For color-treated hair, the fading is often faster and more noticeable, causing shades to dull, lose vibrancy, or shift into unwanted brassy tones.
How to Protect Your Hair From Sun Damage
Basking in the sun is delightful, especially during the summer. To enjoy your time under the sun worry-free here are some ways you can shield your hair and scalp from sun damage:
- Avoid Chemicals: Some hair products contain chemicals that can amplify the harmful effects of UV rays. Opt for products free from sulfates, parabens, and other harsh additives to prevent further harm.
- Cover Your Head: Embrace stylish hats or scarves as your new fashion statement. Not only do they make you look effortlessly chic, but they also provide an extra layer of protection for your hair.
- Pick the Right Hair Care Products: Wisely choose hair care products fortified with UV filters and protective ingredients. These act as a barrier, shielding your strands from the sun’s damaging effects.
- Invest in Hair Sunscreen: Yes, your hair needs sunscreen too! Spray or apply a hair sunscreen product before venturing out. It’s like a protective shield that helps maintain your hair’s health and color.
- Use a DIY Heat Protectant for the Hair: If you can’t get hold of hair sunscreen, you can always create a heat protectant for your hair. You can use olive oil for the hair to keep your locks safe from the sun’s UV rays.
- Avoid Heat Styling: Summer is the perfect time to embrace your hair’s natural texture. Give hot tools a vacation and let your hair air dry to minimize additional heat damage.
- Rinse Your Hair Thoroughly After Swimming: Chlorine and saltwater can wreak havoc on your hair. After a dip, make sure to rinse your hair thoroughly to wash away any residues that could lead to dryness and breakage.
How Can I Fix Sun-Damaged Hair?
Exposing your hair and scalp to UV rays is inevitable. If your locks have been damaged by the sun, here are some sun-damaged hair treatments you can try:
DIY Hot Oil Treatment
Treat your sun-kissed tresses to a luxurious DIY hot oil treatment. Hot oil treatments offer various benefits for your hair, especially if it has been damaged by the sun.
Argan oil is good for the hair for this reason. Simply pour an ample amount of argan oil into a bowl and warm it up in the microwave for not more than 10 seconds. Once warm enough, apply the oil to your wet hair, starting from the roots down to the ends. Apply some oil to your scalp as well and massage it for a few minutes.
Use a shower cap to cover your hair and trap the heat in your head and let the oil sit for 10 to 20 minutes. Then, rinse your hair thoroughly to remove any oil residue from your scalp and locks.
Restorative Hair Mask
Indulge your hair in a nourishing mask filled with ingredients like avocado, honey, and yogurt. These natural powerhouses infuse your locks with essential nutrients, helping to repair and restore their vitality. Sunflower oil is good for your hair, so adding a few drops of this wonder elixir will also help nourish your sun-damaged hair.
Haircut
Sometimes, the simplest fix is the best treatment for sun-damaged hair. A fresh trim gets rid of split ends and visibly damaged portions, preventing them from traveling further up the shaft. Even cutting off a small length can make your hair look healthier and feel smoother, while also encouraging stronger growth.
Hydration
Healthy hair starts from within. Just as your skin benefits from hydration, your hair also relies on adequate water intake to maintain its elasticity and softness. Drink enough water throughout the day and fuel your body with a balanced diet rich in vitamins A, C, E, biotin, and omega fatty acids. This internal nourishment supports both hair and scalp health, keeping damage at bay.
Of course, using a damage repair shampoo that offers moisture and nourishment also helps restore your hair’s health.
Gentle Cleansing and Conditioning
Switch to mild shampoos and conditioners that don’t strip your hair of natural oils. Look for herbal or nutrient-rich formulas that offer nourishment for your hair. After cleansing, always follow with a conditioner to lock in moisture and smooth the cuticle layer. This routine strengthens hair while protecting it against further sun stress.
Leave-In Protection
Prevention is also part of restoration. Applying a leave-in conditioner or serum before heading out offers an extra layer of protection from environmental damage. Products enriched with antioxidants and natural oils can shield your hair from UV rays while keeping it soft and manageable throughout the day.
Invest in the Right Hair Care Products
When you live in the Philippines, it’s hard to avoid harmful UV rays, which is why we must be selective about our treatment routine for sun-damaged hair and choice of products.
Few shampoo and conditioner products have UV protection that’s both effective, affordable, and not heavy on the hair, all at the same time!
- Moringa-O2 Smooth and Straight Shampoo: A gentle shampoo that cleanses without stripping natural oils, offering UV protection and leaving hair soft, smooth, and manageable.
- Moringa-O2 Herbal Smoothening Conditioner with Argan Oil: A nourishing conditioner that locks in moisture, reduces frizz, and creates a protective coating for shinier, healthier-looking strands.
- Moringa-O2 Herbal Oil for Hair, Scalp, and Skin: A nutrient-rich scalp and hair oil that deeply moisturizes, promotes healthy hair growth, prevents frizz, and adds natural shine when used regularly.
- Moringa-O2 Hair Serum with Argan Oil: A leave-on treatment that delivers instant softness and shine, tames frizz without greasiness, and is safe for all hair types, including colored or treated hair.
Shop online for your favorite Moringa-O2 products, now available on Shopee and Lazada! These hair care products are also available in all leading supermarkets and drugstores nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can wearing hats or scarves alone fully protect hair from sun damage?
Hats and scarves provide a strong barrier, but pairing them with UV-protective hair products ensures more complete protection against sun exposure.
2. How often should I use hot oil or restorative masks for sun-damaged hair?
For best results, apply a hot oil treatment once a week and use a restorative mask one to two times weekly.
3. Does sun damage affect natural hair differently than color-treated hair?
Yes, while both types are vulnerable, color-treated hair tends to fade and weaken faster because it’s already more porous and fragile.
