Ah, yeah! We know. After we’ve lectured you so much on the importance of sunscreen, you apply your daily dose of SPF before venturing out into the hot sun. But do you think about protecting your hair from sun damage? Yes, you absolutely need it (come rain or shine).
That’s right; just as the sun may cause havoc to your skin, its harmful rays can also damage your hair. If you don’t take the necessary precautions, you might wake up with terrible split ends and other hair issues that will make you snip your lengths sooner than you’d want. Yes, you read that right! Let’s take a look at why it is important to use sunscreen on your hair.
Do External Factors Like UV Radiation Cause Harm To Your Hair?
Have you ever experienced a time when you entirely ignored UV protection and ended up hurting not only your skin but also your hair? There is more UV exposure out there than you believe, whether it is sunny or gloomy. Many of us consistently apply sunscreen to our skin, but hair protection is quite often overlooked. Even if you don’t feel it yet or are not aware, your hair is exposed to a tremendous degree of stress every day.
Here are some examples of the types of hair damage caused by external factors:
- UV exposure leads to coarse texture, loss of gloss and smoothness
- Hard water causes colour fading
- Humidity causes frizz and difficult-to-manage hair
- Split ends, breakage and dryness are all caused by heat
- Chlorine in tap water and swimming pools leads to roughness
- Pollen and dust cause pollutants and impurities in your hair and scalp
Do You Need SPF On Your Hair And Scalp?
The thought of applying sunscreen to your hair and scalp may seem weird at first. It turns out, though, that sunscreen for hair does exist. To top that off, it has several scientifically proven benefits. According to a 2019 study, UV radiation can harm hair exactly like skin, potentially destroying the hair follicle. As a result, spraying sunscreen along your hairline before heading out can assist in protecting your scalp. Also, the skin on our scalps, just like the skin on the rest of our bodies, can burn in the sun, increasing the risk of skin cancer.
Types Of Sun Protection For Your Scalp
It goes without saying that adding sunscreen to your hair and scalp routine is a good idea. However, you probably don’t want to smear your regular sunscreen on your mane. In general, you have three options when it comes to hair and scalp sun protection:
Sunscreen Powders
Powder sunscreens are an ultra-lightweight means of protecting your hair and scalp from the sun without weighing down your hair. They can also absorb the excess oil and add volume to your mane.
Sunscreen Spray
Next in line to powders, sprays are the lightest product. They can also help to provide hydration, shine, and bounce.
Creams Or Lotions
The third and the heaviest options are creams and lotions. They are ideal for a dip in the ocean or a swim in the pool because they give a thicker layer of protection that is less likely to be washed away by water and any slight grease from the sunscreen lotion or cream will not bother if you are going for a swim anyway.
Here’s How To Apply A Hair Sunscreen
Follow the instructions mentioned on the product if you pick a powder-based SPF for your scalp. Most products will require you to:
- Apply the powder along the part line when your hair is dry.
- Next, gently massage the powder into your scalp.
The application of sunscreen spray for hair is rather straightforward.
- Wait until your hair is completely dry (unless the instructions tell you to use the product on damp hair).
- Spray the product from root to tip, distributing it evenly across the hair.
- You may want to comb or brush your hair after applying the product to ensure that it covers the entire hair shaft.
Some lotions and creams perform the same way as traditional sunscreen: simply rub it in.
Other products may require you to leave them in for a certain amount of time before rinsing off. Remember to read the packaging and follow the instructions carefully.
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