Most women have already incorporated sun protection into their daily skin care routine.
But applying sunscreen to your hair is equally important, even during the colder months, experts say.
Hair care professionals have warned that UV rays damage hair much like bleach and can cause color fading and loss of strength and elasticity.
This comes as research shows, while 65 percent of people use sunscreen on their skin, only 18 percent use it on their hair.
“People are much more aware of the damage that UV rays can cause to their skin, but many don’t realize that they can also have a negative impact on their hair,” said Anabel Kingsley, brand president and consulting trichologist at Philip Kingsley.
‘It’s harder to tell immediately when the sun damages your hair, since it doesn’t get red or painful; suddenly you notice that it is lighter, drier and more brittle.
Most women have incorporated sun protection into their daily skin care routine, but applying sunscreen to your hair is just as important, experts say (stock)
Research shows that while 65 percent of people use sunscreen on their skin, only 18 percent use it on their hair (stock)
‘If your hair is chemically processed or dry and damaged, it will already be weaker, so sun exposure can wreak havoc and cause substantial breakage.
‘Sun protection is also more important if you have long hair. Hair that reaches past the shoulders has many years of sun exposure. Gray or white hair is also more prone to UV degradation.
“UV protection is less important if you keep your hair very short, as the damage grows and cuts off quite quickly.”
UV rays can damage hair in several ways, including breaking down proteins, which can cause it to become dry and brittle.
UV rays can damage hair in several ways, including breaking down proteins, which can cause it to become dry and brittle (stock)
A previous study has found that excessive sun exposure is the most common cause of damage to the hair shaft, the outer part of the hair structure.
The researchers found that UVB rays were responsible for hair protein loss, while UVA radiation was linked to color changes.
They concluded that the best way to protect hair is to use “hair care products with UV filters.”
“They oxidize the hair in much the same way as bleaching, causing loss of colour, breakdown of cuticles and loss of strength and elasticity,” Ms Kingsley said.
‘It’s important to protect your hair from the sun if you want to avoid these things. For this you can use products with UV filters.’
While most would assume that adding sun protection to your hair (in the form of creams, oils or mists) is primarily a task for the summer months, UV rays can also have an impact during the winter.
“I recommend that you protect your hair from the sun regardless of the season,” Ms. Kingsley said.
“Although the sun’s rays are not as intense in the colder months, daily exposure to UV rays can cause cumulative damage to your hair.”