Now that we’re in mid-summer days, you’re probably wondering about hair and sun exposure and how you can get the most out of it, taking into account the long time you spend in the sun during summer.
Join us on this topic, as we reveal to you the main benefits of sunlight along with some negative effects to avoid.
What are the Benefits of Sun’s Rays for Hair?
1- It Helps Your Hair Grow: According to Dr. Maha Ghareeb, the sun is the best source of vitamin D, which helps produce new hair follicles. So, if you want to promote your hair growth, turn to sun exposure. However, try to avoid overexposure, as 10 to 30 minutes every day are more than enough.
2- It Reduces Hair Loss: Another benefit of vitamin D is reducing hair fall. Make sure you catch some rays if you suffer from hair loss. You can also eat some food rich in vitamin D such as fish, egg yolks, and cheese.
3- It Treats Acne and Scalp Fungal Infections: It is no surprise that sun’s UV rays are harmful, but in the right dose, they can help treat acne and scalp fungal infections by slowing the growth of skin cells. But don’t forget to apply sunscreen when sitting in the sun!
4- It Lightens Your Hair Color: When it comes to your look, the sun can work its magic too! Along with some natural ingredients such as lemon, honey, or apple cider vinegar… However, make sure you use the right ingredients and don’t stay out in the sun for too long as this can damage your strands, indicates Dr. Maha Ghareeb.
Get the Most out of The Sun… However!
Dr. Maha Ghareeb explains that hair isn’t made of living cells, like epidermal cells. This is why UV rays cannot pose any cancerous risk to it.
However, this doesn’t mean that your hair isn’t vulnerable to sun damage.
The sun can actually damage your hair. The sun’s UVA and UVB rays can damage your color and style in several different ways:
- Lipid damage: Prolonged exposure to the sun can destroy your hair’s outer layer of lipids, which acts as a natural protection against environmental elements. This is one of the main causes of dry hair and frizzy strands, as without this layer, your hair is unable to retain moisture.
- Internal damage: The sun can also damage the internal structure of your hair, weakening it and making it prone to breakage and split ends.
- Color damage: If your hair is dyed, it is even more susceptible to internal and external damage, as color treatments can dehydrate it and leave it vulnerable. Dry hair tends to be more porous, which means the dye washes out more easily. Plus, UV rays act like a bleach on your strands, degrading the color and causing it to fade or turn brassy faster than usual.
What are the signs of sun damaged hair?
If you are exposed to the sun for long periods of time, you may begin to notice changes in your color and style. Signs of sun damaged hair include:
- Discoloration: A dramatic color change is a sign that UV rays have reacted with the melanin in your hair.
- Texture change: You may notice that your once-smooth hair is now dry, rough and brittle and doesn’t swing as freely as it used to.
- Split ends: When the sun gets into your hair, your strands become more fragile and tend to break.
Who is most susceptible to sun damage on hair?
Fine or light-colored hair is especially susceptible to UV damage, while thicker textures and darker shades offer more natural sun protection. But all hair types and colors are susceptible to damage.
But what about where you live? Surprisingly, whether you’re in the city or at the beach, the risk of sun damage to your hair is the same.
Tips to Protect Your Hair from the Sun
So what can we do to ensure we get the benefits of sun exposure without burning our hair or damaging its structure? Dr. Maha Ghareeb recommends you take the following steps to get the sun’s benefits without damaging your hair:
1- Wrap a scarf around your hair, wear a hat or cover yourself with an umbrella to avoid direct exposure to the sun.
2- Go out early in the morning or in the afternoon when the sun isn’t at its peak.
3- When swimming in a chlorinated pool, wear a swim cap or tie your hair up in a bun to keep it dry. If you get your hair wet, make sure you rinse the chlorinated water with clear water.
4- Use SPF products designed for protecting your hair against UV rays.
We suggest you opt for the following products from René Furterer, the world’s leading premium hair care brand:
– Karité Nutri Intense Nourishing Oil: Before washing your hair, use this oil to protect it from dryness and nourishes it deeply. This pre-shampoo oil contains a range of moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter and shea oil which leave your strands soft and supple.
– Karité Nutri Intense Nourishing Shampoo: This shampoo provides your hair with everything it needs from nourishment to hydration thanks to its formula rich in shea butter and shea oil, in addition to wheat proteins. Use this shampoo regularly to revitalize and soften your dry and damaged hair.
– Okara Color Color Enhancing Spray: To provide full protection for your dyed hair, use this spray which protects it against UV rays effects and maintains the dye color. Just spray some on your strands and enjoy well-protected hair!
Last Updated on April 7, 2024
