We consulted with some top hairstylists to find out whether the application of SPF products to your hair is really necessary, or just a myth.
We all know that sunscreen is essential for protecting our skin from the harmful sun rays, but what about our hair? The hair products that prevent UV damage are becoming increasingly popular. They help protect against dryness and brittleness, they preserve the colour longer, and render a healthy and shiny appearance to the hair. But do these products really work, and should we protect our hair from the sun? After all, it is just hair that mostly consists of dead cells. The stylists explain that just as the sun affects your skin, so do the UV rays impact your hair. And if you protect your skin with sunscreen, it is a good practice to do the same for your hair.
The sun affects the hair cuticle (the outer layer) in such a way that it opens up and allows the moisture and even the melanin to disappear. The result is a dry and brittle hair with a faded colour. The frequent sun exposure for prolonged periods without hair protection means higher costs for hair dyeing. The strong sunlight breaks down the proteins in the hair, which results in breakage and split ends. The UVB rays oxidise the hair, and the proteins that sustain its health and beauty break down.
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Not All Protective Products Are Created Equal
It is important to note the difference between the products with an SPF (sun protection factor) marked on them — such as SPF 30, 40, 50, etc. — and the products advertised as UV filters or UV protective.
SPF is typically associated with skin sunscreens. However, there are many hair products on the market that include broad-spectrum SPF to protect the coloured strands, and separate sunscreens are available for the scalp.
Some products that contain an SPF can also act as sunscreen for the scalp, which is a commonly neglected area. And scalp sunburns can be quite painful. The hairstylists recommend the regular use of a sunscreen spray for both the hair and the scalp, especially if you are at the beach and frequently enter the water.
The UV protective hair products cover the hair so as to deflect the sun’s UV rays. They minimise the drying and help to avoid the damage and the colour fading of the hair.
While the UV protective products can protect the hair’s integrity, they do not always necessarily contain an SPF, which protects the scalp. So, if you do not see a number listed on the label, do not rely on these products to protect the skin of your head.
Do We Need to Use Sunscreen Hair Products?
Surely, you will not get hair cancer if you do not use sunscreen, but if you want to protect its quality, the stylists advise you to use UV filter products for your strands. Additionally, if you plan to spend time outdoors and want to protect your scalp, you should definitely use an SPF product. The hats, especially the wide-brimmed ones, are also a great option for sun protection.
Your hair is subjected to the same exposure as your skin. We are accustomed to protecting our skin with sunscreen, but we often forget that our hair needs it, too. The hair is actually made up of the protein keratin, which mostly consists of dead cells that the body replaces. So, when the sun shines down upon your hair, you will not feel pain for sure, but the rays will certainly dry it out, and the colour may fade due to the solar radiation.
Keratin is also used as an ingredient in many cosmetic products to improve the hair’s elasticity and protect it from the harmful environmental damage. The core of the hair shaft is made up of specific elongated cells that are responsible for its strength. If the hair is damaged due to strong sunlight exposure, these delicate cells lose their strength. As a result, the hair becomes too fragile and prone to split ends.
Recommended UV Protective Hair Products
All products from the My Hair, My Canvas series by Alterna are 100% vegan and include UV protection to shield the hair from damage and colour fading. The highly effective vegan formulas are free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and synthetic dyes. All packaging is made of 50% recycled plastic to minimise the plastic waste. The products with sustainable and clean ingredients not only care for us, but are an act of care for the planet, as well. They give us a sense of ethics and beauty for both ourselves and the others globally.
The More to Love cleansing shampoo and nourishing conditioner from Alterna’s My Hair, My Canvas vegan series render more love, density, and volume to the hair. They thicken the hair from root to tip, improving the elasticity and vitality of the dry and brittle hair. With a sensuous scent of sea cranberry and tangerine, they are formulated with a botanical caviar extract for a complete hair transformation, a deep hydration, and smoothening. They enhance the resilience and the shine and boost the volume.
The UV Hair Products Are Essential for the Coloured Hair
The chemical colour pigments get damaged and lighten much faster in the sun than the natural pigment. If your hair is completely natural, the likelihood of it lightening is not as high. But if you have dyed it a dark blonde shade, for example, it will definitely become much lighter in the sun, as these colour molecules are different from the natural ones and move to the surface of the hair much more easily. If you really want to keep your hair colour fresh and vibrant, especially if you have dyed it, it is advisable to protect it with a specialised product against the UV rays.
The hairstylists advise you to apply protective hair products year-round and to be even more careful when the sun is more intense. If you are exposed to the sun for extended periods — on the beach, in the mountains, or in an urban setting — the general rule is to apply your hair sunscreen products all the time.
Huile Bénéfique by Biologique Recherche concentrates the best plant oils, nourishing substances, and antioxidants. It is rich in coconut, sunflower, apricot, and sesame oils. This non-greasy product softens the upper layers of the epidermis of the face and the body. It is suitable for the face, the body, the scalp and the hair. This fantastic non-greasy body oil can also be applied to the hair ends as glitter crystals.