S unscreen is the most crucial product in your skincare routine, according to dermatologists, cosmetologists, and aestheticians. It shields the skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays, preventing photodamage, pigmentation issues, acne, and other skin diseases. Have you ever considered what kind of protection our hair will require, given that it is subjected to the same climatic and environmental circumstances as our skin? What about our tresses? Do they also require sun protection? The answer is an unequivocal yes.

“Just like skin, hair needs protection from sun exposure as well. Sun can damage hair in multiple ways. It can damage the hair shaft and result into brittle & frizzy hair, split ends, discolouration and early greying of hair,” says Nandan Gijare, Founder and Director, I2CAN (Indian Institute of Cosmetology, Aesthetics and Nutrition), who explains the impact of sun exposure on hair in detail:

“Just like skin, hair needs protection from sun exposure as well. Sun can damage hair in multiple ways. It can damage the hair shaft and result into brittle & frizzy hair, split ends, discolouration and early greying of hair,” says Nandan Gijare, Founder and Director, I2CAN (Indian Institute of Cosmetology, Aesthetics and Nutrition), who explains the impact of sun exposure on hair in detail:

• UVA and UVB radiation contained in the sunlight degrades pigments in the hair called melanin. Melanin is responsible for the colour of our hair. With degradation in melanin, hair colour fades and early greying happens.
• Sunlight also degrades the quality of some important proteins in hair shaft. This results into hair becoming more brittle, stiff and dry.
• Outermost layer of the hair is called cuticle. This layer protects the inner layers of the hair. Excessive sun exposure can damage these cuticles, thus exposing the rest of the hair shaft to external environment. Damaged cuticles do not reflect the light properly, hence giving rough and dull appearance to hair. Cuticle damage also results into split ends.

One should remember that hair shaft cells are dead cells. Once they are damaged, it stays till the time they are shed. This can take a long time, usually from a few months to even a few years.

Here Are Some Recommended Ways To Protect The Hair

Wear A Hat: Wear a broad brimmed hat to protect your hair from direct exposure to sunlight. It will also protect your hair from excessive heating.

Avoid Chemical Treatments: Avoid chemical treatment of hair during summer. Chemicals weaken your hair. Chemically treated hair has much higher chances of getting severely damaged by sun exposure.

Use Sun Protection For Hair: There are lot of products available to protect your hair and scalp from sun exposure. These products come in the form of powder, creams, lotions, gels, and sprays. Use a good quality stay on product with an SPF of 30+.

Try Co-Washing: Do not use shampoo excessively during summer. Instead try cleansing your hair with conditioner (it’s called co-washing your hair).

Protect Your Hair From Extra Heat: Avoid blow drying or straightening irons just before going out. Especially during summer, your hair is already exposed to heat from the sun. Using these products right before going out can cause added damage.

Stay Hydrated: Make sure you consume lot of fluids. This will keep your skin and hair hydrated and healthy.

Include Antioxidants In Your Diet: UVA and UVB radiation from the sun can cause lot of oxidative stress. Hence you should make sure that your diet contains lot of antioxidants to neutralize the free radicals. A rainbow diet (containing fruits and colours of at least 4-5 different colours) is loaded with anti-oxidants and can help during summer.