how-to: protect your hair from sun damage

Summer may be gone and fall may be here, but the Florida sun never goes away. Did you know your hair requires sun protection just as much as your skin? While we’re diligent about applying sunscreen all over our faces and bodies, we often forget, or are unaware, that our hair needs protection too!

Prolonged sun exposure can lead to hair damage, dryness, color fading, and weakened strands. But, rest assured, we’re here at Salon Jaylee to share expert tips on how to shield your locks from the sun’s harmful rays. Similar to you, we want to have our cake and eat it too, or in this case: enjoy the Florida sun and rock great hair too!

In this blog post, we’ll dive into the importance of protecting your hair from too much Vitamin D and provide you with practical steps to keep your hair healthy, shiny, and vibrant all year long!

Why does your hair need sun protection?

Before getting into the tips for safeguarding your hair from the sun, let’s understand why it’s so essential:

Prevents Dryness. Just like your skin, hair can become dry and brittle when exposed to the sun’s UV rays. This can result in unwanted frizz and split ends.

Preserves Hair Color. If you’ve invested time and money in coloring your hair, sun exposure can cause the color to fade and lose its vibrancy.

Protects Scalp. Your scalp is susceptible to sunburn, which can be not only painful, but also destructive to your hair follicles.

Maintains Hair Health. Overexposure to the sun can weaken the protein structure of your hair, making it more prone to breakage.

How can you keep your hair safe from the sun?

1. Use UV-Protective Hair Products
As you invest in sunscreen for your skin, invest in hair care products that offer UV protection. Search for shampoos, conditioners, and leave-in treatments or sprays formulated with UV filters.

While using the shampoo and conditioners are effective, leave-in treatments and sprays with UV filters offer extra protection when spending time in the sun.

These products create a barrier on your hair strands, shielding them from the sun’s rays. Think of it like having an invisible force field around your locks that repels UV damage. Don’t forget to put your force field on before soaking up some vitamin D!

2. Embrace Protective Hairstyles
Styling your hair in protective hairstyles is a stylish way to shield your locks from the sun. The less of it seen, the less can be damaged!

Braids, buns, and updos look chic and minimize direct sun exposure. They also reduce friction and tangling, which we can all benefit from.

Practice protective hairstyles on yourself and others to get the hang of it. Following step-by-step Youtube or TikTok videos makes it simple for those with all levels of experience with hair! Mainly because you can pause and rewind them along the way. When it’s a more complicated hairstyle, you can even slow down the speed of the video so it’s easier to follow along with.

3. Hydrate Your Hair
Just as your skin requires hydration, your hair does too. Treat yourself to a hydrating hair mask or deep conditioner on the reg; particularly after sun exposure.

These products replenish lost moisture and keep your hair soft and manageable. Your hair needs to quench its thirst in its own way!

4. Limit Heat Styling
Give your hair a break from heat styling tools, such as straighteners and curling irons if you’re spending a lot of time under the sun.

Heat styling, combined with sun exposure, can lead to excessive dryness and damage. This can be combatted by making “healthier” choices for your hair! Your hair’s health needs to be nourished, just as your body’s health.

Your hair is an extension of your body, after all!

Embrace your hair’s natural texture or opt for heat-free styling methods including braiding damp hair for classic beachy waves, or using a heatless curling rod.

5. Rinse After Swimming
In Florida, we’re blessed to have opportunities to swim in all kinds of water not only in the summer, but year round. Thank you heated swimming pools and sweet sunshine!

On the down side, chlorine, saltwater, and even some fresh water can be harsh on your hair, leading to dryness and discoloration. After swimming, rinse your hair thoroughly with clean water to remove these damaging substances.

If you find yourself in the pool more often than not, you can also take advantage of a swimmer’s shampoo to neutralize chlorine.

6. Apply a Hair Sunscreen
Yes, you read that correctly – there are sunscreens specifically designed for your hair! These products provide an extra layer of protection, especially for your scalp and the top layers of your hair.

Hair sunscreens come in various forms, such as sprays and creams. Moreover, many products already offer sun protection that you may be unaware of!

7. Schedule Regular Haircuts
Although trimming your hair doesn’t directly protect your hair from the sun, it sure doesn’t hurt. Receiving frequent trims is pivotal for maintaining healthy, beautiful locks.

Removing split ends and damaged hair aids in the prevention of further breakage and keeps your hair looking its finest.

8. Stay Hydrated and Eat Well
Your hair’s health is closely linked to your overall well-being. Holistic hair care is a thing! Nurture your whole body so that in turn, each individual part of the body is nurtured (including your hair!)

Drinking enough water and eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals can promote hair integrity, hair growth, and resilience against environmental stressors like UV rays.

9. Use Natural Oils
Natural oils, such as coconut oil and argan oil, have protective properties that assist with maintaining your hair’s moisture levels. Consequently, the oils provide an extra layer of protection for the hair.

Apply a small amount to your hair before sun exposure for optimal results. Less is more with hair oils, so be sure not to overdo it. A little bit goes a long way!

10. Consider a Sun Hat
When all else fails, a stylish sun hat is your best friend. Not only does it provide shade for your hair, but it simultaneously shields your face from the sun’s rays. This reduce the risk of sunburn, premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and more.

Your hair deserves just as much care and protection as your skin when it comes to sun exposure. Don’t neglect it!

By following these tips and incorporating protective measures into your hair care routine, you can enjoy the sunny days without worrying about the harsh effects of UV rays.

At Salon Jaylee, we understand the importance of healthy, fabulous hair, and we’re here to help you keep your locks looking their best throughout season!

Southern Trace Plaza Location
3459 Wedgewood Ln,
The Villages, FL 32162
Book now  ⎯  (352) 259-6700

Colony Plaza Location
321 Colony Blvd
The Villages, FL 32162
Book now  ⎯  (352) 753-0055

Magnolia Plaza Location
2121 Everglades Ln.
The Villages, FL 32163
Book now  ⎯  (352) 753-6505