How the Sun Damages Hair & How You Can Protect It

The sun's rays can be a double-edged sword for our hair, providing warmth and light while also causing unexpected damage that can leave our hair looking and feeling less than stellar. From dryness and breakage to colour fading and scalp damage, the sun's impact on our hair exceeds what meets the eye. In this article, we will look at five ways the sun damages your hair and what you can do about it. So, grab your sunglasses and a hat, and let's dive into how to protect your hair from the sun's harmful effects.

How Does the Sun Damage Hair?

When you think of sun damage, sunburnt skin usually springs to mind. The truth is, sun damage is as big of a concern to the wellbeing of your hair. UV (Ultraviolet) light, including UVA and UVB rays, causes invisible radiation that compromises the cells that make up the scalp and hair strands.

Although your hair is made up of dead cells and keratin, so you may not visibly see signs as you would with skin, the sun damages the hair’s structure, depletes its natural oils, decreases elasticity and makes it more prone to breakage. Already damaged or weakened hair is all the more susceptible to further harm when exposed to the sun and other elements, such as wind and humidity.

Signs of Sun-Damaged Hair

Dryness and Breakage

The sun can harm your hair by causing dryness and breakage. Strong heat and UV radiation can deplete your hair of its natural oils, resulting in fragile hair that is more likely to break. This can result in split ends and a lacklustre appearance, making protecting your hair from the sun's harsh effects crucial.

Colour Fading

Sun exposure can also lead to colour fading. The sun's UV rays can break down your hair's pigment, so colours can gradually fade and lose their brilliance. This is especially true for dyed or highlighted hair, as the sun can accelerate the fading process and leave your hair looking dull and washed out. It's crucial to use protective damaged hair treatment products while spending a lot of time in the sun to prevent colour fading.

Texture Changes

Your hair's texture can also be significantly impacted by prolonged sun exposure. Healthy cuticles are smooth, but when hair gets damaged, they lift, giving the hair a rough, uneven texture. Also, when the sun's UV rays strip away your hair's natural oils, it leaves the hair dry and prone to breakage. This loss of oils can also contribute to frizz, split ends and overall lacklustre hair.

Scalp Damage

Sun exposure not only affects the texture of your hair but also causes damage to your scalp. The sun's UV rays can lead to dryness and irritation on your scalp, potentially causing itchiness, flakiness and even sunburn. If you notice redness, tenderness and peeling of the skin, you are most likely experiencing sunburn. You can prevent additional hair damage by taking good care of your scalp.

Split Ends and Frizz

In addition to scalp damage, the sun can also wreak havoc on the ends of your hair, leading to split ends and frizz. Exposure of hair to sunlight can lead to protein breakdown in the hair, making the ends brittle and more prone to breaking. This can make your hair appear dull, rough and unhealthy.

Moreover, contact with the sun’s rays can deplete your hair's natural oils, causing dryness and frizz. Imbalances from the inside can also cause your hair's cuticle, or outside layer, to lift and become frizzy. To combat split ends and frizz caused by the sun, it's important to use the right hair care products, including regular conditioning treatments and protective styling products.

How to Treat Sun-Damaged Hair with iluvia

You can preserve the health and vibrancy of your hair by taking steps to protect it from the sun's damaging rays. So, how to fix sun-damaged hair? One of the best ways you can protect your hair from the sun is by incorporating iluvia’s Hair Protection Serum and Intensive Hair Care Serum into your hair care routine. They function by creating a barrier of defence on your hair's surface to help shield it from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

The Intensive Hair Care Serum, which contains Moroccan Argan Oil, Baobab Seed Oil and Olive Squalene Oil, repairs the lipid barrier, improves the hair’s elasticity and serves as a barrier against external aggressors – heat styling tools, environmental pollutants and UV rays. The sun-damaged hair treatment also adds shine, volumises and detangles hair and makes it easier to handle. The lightweight, non-sticky formula is perfect for thin, frizz-prone hair.

The Hair Protection Serum, enriched with Argan, Olive Squalene and Baobab Oils, protects the hair from free radical damage. It shields your hair from heat, UV radiation, moisture and pollution – damaging the hair’s colour and structure. It helps smoothen and repair hair that is thick, heavy, frizzy and coarse.

The sun can cause unexpected damage to your hair, ranging from colour loss and scalp damage to dryness and breakage. When it comes to sun protection, skin and hair should be treated equally. So, next time you step out into the sunshine, shield your hair from UV rays just as you would your skin.