How to Protect Your Hair From the Sun
While the weather soars to a scorching 40 degrees, (um, last we checked, we were in Fitzrovia… Not Sydney!!) it’s important to look after your body. For your eyes, pack your sunnies. For your skin, lather up on suncream. And for your hair… there’s plenty more you can do for it than just wearing a hat.
As self-confessed hair obsessors, we know just how much damage some serious sun can take on your hair. Thankfully, there are plenty of products out there that can help. Both with prevention and repair!
How does the sun cause damage to my hair?
We all know that when the sun hits your skin, it causes damage. The exact same thing happens to your hair! When those sweet rays hit your hair, they first hit the outermost layers on your hair called the cuticles. Unlike the cuticles on your fingers, there are several layers of cuticle in your hair. They’re there to protect your hair from any external damage.
These outer protective layers are the worst affected by sun damage. As a result of all your tanning, the proteins in your hair get upset and their ability to keep your hair all shiny and strong lessen. When the layers are stripped and they can’t protect your hair’s core, it’s vulnerable to all the radiation that UV rays emit.
Bleached hair is even more vulnerable to sun damage. While we love a blonde bombshell, it’s an unfortunate truth that, to get to that beachy blonde we adore, we cause damage to the strands with bleach. That means the hair is even more vulnerable to the sun. Your hair is also more fragile and more prone to sun damage if you have thin, flat or tightly coiled hair.
What happens to your hair when its sun damaged?
Sun damaged hair is not a hot look. Sun damaged hair symptoms can include discolouration, dry and brittle strands, broken or split ends, thinning and frizziness. You may also find your locks feel drier than usual, which means they’ll be harder to style in the way you want.
So… How do we make sure you’re enjoying the Ibiza sun AND keeping your hair from frying?
How to protect your hair from sun damage
1. Prevention
We love lounging by the pool as much as the next gal, but we DON’T love the frizziness that comes along with it. That’s why we love getting ahead of it by using Olaplex’s No.6. One of our fave Olaplex products, its a leave-in reparative styling creme eliminates frizz, hydrates & protects all hair types. Once it's applied, you’re free of frizz for 72 hours!
2. Adding moisture
Hair needs moisture at the best of times, but even more so in the sun! A good moisturising shampoo and conditioner can really save the day. Quench your hair’s thirst with a good spritz of Davines’ OI All in One Milk. The single spray that does it all, Davines’ OI All in One Milk is a lightweight, multi-functional leave-in spray treatment. It softens, detangles, controls frizz and protects hair from heat - all in one convenient treatment!
Or, if you’re in need of some serious moisture, slather on Davines’ OI Hair Butter! This antioxidant, nourishing butter has an anti-frizz disciplinary action, which gives hair an extraordinary softness and brightness with an immediate cosmetic effect.
3. Heat protection
We always make sure to stock up on our heat protectants for all the heat styling we put out hair through. Our go-to, the Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil, is highly concentrated, ultra-lightweight, reparative styling oil that dramatically increases shine, adds softness and strength, AND enhances all hair types and textures. It also provides heat protection up to 450°F/230°C and protects against those pesky UV rays.
4. Remember your scalp!
Your scalp is just as important to protect as your hair! Make sure you wrap up with a chic scarf or a fabulous sun hat to keep those UV rays from burning your scalp. A clean scalp will also promote good cell turnover and promote a healthy environment for optimal hair growth - so put that hat on!
Getting ready to head somewhere sunny on your holibobs? Make sure you top up on your colour or cut off those dry ends before you leave!