How to protect hair in the sun – check out our expert advice and best buys
Don’t let your holiday ruin your hair – we asked the experts for their best buys and easy tips. Hello, frazzle-free summer!
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We’re pretty good at using SPF on our face and body these days but how much do you really think about how to protect your hair from the sun? Probably not very much, right? But both hair and scalp sustain damage from UV rays, but in different ways. To ensure you don’t end up withbrittle, limp locks – and potentially much worse, in the shape of melanoma on your scalp – here’s everything you need to know.
Doesn’t my hair act as sun protection for my scalp?
This an assumption many of us make. “Hair does provide some protection to the scalp, acting as a natural barrier against UV rays. However, this protection is limited,” explains Szindy Ballai, co-founder of South London hair salon GLAMHAIR Studio. “Thicker and denser hair offers more protection, but sunburn on an exposed scalp is still possible, especially for those with fine or sparse hair.”
Protecting the scalp is vital, agrees Abi Cleeve, creator and CEO of Ultrasun and Skinsense. “Such a high proportion of skin cancer develops here. Bunches and braiding, alongside partings, are worth minding as they really expose the scalp.” Apart from potentially cancerous mutations, UV rays can hamper hair growth, so you really want to give your scalp cover.
Then there is the hair itself. “Although hair doesn’t burn in the same way as skin, UV rays still damage it,” says Shona Bisset, development chemist for Windle haircare. “UVB radiation is responsible for protein loss in the hair, causing split ends, frizz and dryness, while UVA causes colour changes.” Your hair colour and texture can play a huge part too. “Lighter hair colours like blonde, grey and red are more susceptible to sun damage,” says Ballai. “This is partly due to lower levels of melanin [the pigment which defines hair colour], which provides some natural protection. Curly or chemically-treated hair may also be more prone to damage as they are already weaker – curly hair because the very nature of the curls make it fragile and chemically treated hair because the integrity of the hair has already been compromised.”
And of course, sea salt and chlorine from the pool will affect the condition and quality of your hair too, as founder of Arkive haircare brand and hair stylist extrodinaire, Adam Reed points out: “They will cause it to dry out, causing brittleness. If you’re fair, chlorine and the sea can turn your hair slightly green and any colourants in your hair will lift and lighten.” Plenty of reasons to take holiday protection for your hair seriously.
How to protect your hair in the sun
“The best way to protect your hair from the sun is to wear a hat,” says Reed. “Or wrap your hair using headbands, turbans or headscarves – super easy to do and they look absolutely brilliant.”
This doesn’t mean you can do away with product, though. “Apart from UV rays, heat damages the hair, especially when it’s damp,” he says. “So really use a towel to squeeze as much water out of it after every dip, and mist it with a heat protectant before covering it with your hat or scarf.”
It’s also important, he says, that you keep vulnerable ends tucked away so they’re not directly exposed to the sun: “A little bun in the nape of the neck is great.”
If you can’t be bothered with hats nor scarves, use a leave-in product with a UV protectant. You won’t find hair products advertising their ‘SPF30’ or anything like that: “There is no way of measuring SPF on the hair, so for hair products it’s always an undeclared amount,” says Cleeve. “But UV protectant-containing products for hair – look for the words ‘contains a UV filter’ – will usually feature UVA and UVB protection alongside oils to coat the hair and lock in moisture.”
And there’s good reason for opting for a UVA and UVB -specific product, as Ballai explains: “UVA rays penetrate deeply and can break down the hair’s internal structure over time, leading to long-term damage. Meanwhile, UVB rays cause surface damage, affecting the outer cuticle and resulting in dryness and fading colour.”
And you can make them part of your look: “Oily SPFs for hair are also good for a style statement,” says Reed. “A slicked-back bun is always chic, and if you want to go for a top knot, the oil will ensure the ends are protected and your hair doesn’t act like a ‘lighting rod’ for UV rays.”
5 best UV hair protectors
The spa-inspired hair protection: Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil, £32
A light mist that coats the hair with (unspecified) UV protection whilst also delivering some hydration. It’s not meant as skin/scalp protection, but like all Aveda products it smells like a spa, and who doesn’t want that?
The super pampering hair shield: Nuxe Sun Moisturising Protective Milky Oil for Hair, £19
Two sunscreens protect hair (not the scalp) against UVA and UVB, but also against the havoc wreaked by chlorine and salt water. It preserves your colour while adding shine and softness, and its tiare flower scent is creamy and dreamy.
The hairstylist on the beach: Van Clarke Lifesaver Sun UV Protective Leave-In Styling Cream, £11
The beauty editors’ holiday favourite, Michael Van Clarke’s Lifesaver UV leave-in protein protector now comes in a Lifesaver Sun version with more concentrated UV protective ingredients and a summery jasmine scent. Wheat proteins, cashmere amino acids (almost identical to hair protein – and the more protein in the hair, the less frizz) and antioxidants join a UV screen to strengthen hair and increase hydration, while keeping the free radicals from the sun and city pollution at bay. Use it to slick back your hair on the beach or set your curls. It dries to almost invisible while holding your style, your colour and condition while you enjoy the sun.
The force-field for hair: Moroccanoil Protect & Prevent Spray, £25.45
Forms a protective force-field against pollution, heat damage and UV rays. Use before styling or anytime during the day for a protective top-up.
The in-sun hair colour shield: Wella Invigo Sun UV Protection Spray, £18.36
A shake-it-to-wake-it, non-oily milky spray, you mist this liberally into your dry or wet hair several times on a beachy day. The UV filter, panthenol and nourishing lipids do the rest to keep your colour vibrant and your strands soft and bouncy.
How to protect your scalp in the sun
Obviously a wide-brimmed, densely woven hat is once again the best protection here. But when it comes to the scalp, you can also look for sun protection mists with all the markers of top-notch protection we know from our face and body products: broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sun filters, a high SPF (30 or 50) and added antioxidants.
In fact, many of the SPF face and body mists that are becoming increasingly popular can be used as scalp protection, no problem. Naked Sundays SPF50+ Hydrating Glow Mist Top Up, £28 and Ultra Violette Preen Screen Mist 50+, £32 are just two non-oily mists designed for the face that work really well on the scalp.
Better yet, UV protection mists specifically designed for the scalp are also becoming a thing. “The scalp is skin so we can declare an SPF here,” says Cleeve of her Ultrasun SPF50 Face and Scalp Mist, £22. It’s a fluid that may seem quite dry on the skin: many users will be adding this over makeup and other skincare on the face and of course, misting it all over the scalp and the hair there, so we wanted to ensure it did not leave the skin “wet” after application. But it is in fact a hydrating, milk-like serum.” For more options, see below.
Lastly, consider antioxidants: “Thes, formulated into leave-in sprays and creams may help protect strands from the damaging effects of external environmental factors, like UV rays,” says trichologist Anabel Kingsley. UV damage is more than capable of damaging follicles and interrupting healthy hair growth so if hair loss and thinning are issues, UV scalp protection is especially important.
4 best scalp protectors
The high-SPF scalp and face protectant: Ultrasun SPF50 Face and Scalp Mist, £22
Gentle enough for the most sensitive scalps and skins, this transparent mist offers the highest-possible all-over protection, not just in the shape of a broad-spectrum SPF50 but a potent antioxidant complex too. It won’t leave your face oily or your hair greasy.
The weightless SPF30 for scalp and hair: Coola Scalp And Hair Mist SF30, £26
The only mist billed as a scalp and hair sunscreen, it has a proper broad-spectrum SPF30 and soothing, antioxidant centella asiatica to shield your scalp and preserve your colour. It’s weightless, smells refreshingly of sage and has a handy long nozzle to target partings.
The face mist that works for your scalp too: Naked Sundays SPF50+ Hydrating Glow Mist Top Up, £28
This Australian face top-up SPF is slight enough for the scalp. Simply spritz the non-greasy formula, leaving no white cast on your hair. With SPF50+ protection and a delicious watermelon scent, it’s perfect for sun protection. Just remember to reapply after swimming as it isn’t water-resistant.
The light milk for hairlines, partings and faces: Monpure SPF50 Sunscreen Scalp & Face, £75
A light milk such as this is possibly an easier way to target the parting than a spray without making a hot mess of your hair. This superior niacinamide and hyaluronic acid-milk is a broad-spectrum SPF50 for face that can be rubbed into the scalp right up to the hairline and beyond. Our tester reported that it didn’t make her fine hair tacky or sticky. Niacinamide is an antioxidant that reduces oiliness while hyaluronic acid will quench a dry scalp.
How to protect your hair from salt water and chlorine
Salt and chlorine are drying for hair and chlorine saps the colour too. So the more leave-in protection you can muster, the better. The vogue for ‘metal detox’ hair products that remove hard metals from tap water from your hair (or prevent them from penetrating) is useful here: this technology also makes mincemeat of chlorine residue.
In and out of the water, it’s essential to keep the moisture in your hair, so think about applying oils and creams several times a day. “Leave a treatment or an oil in your hair during the day to boost moisture levels and protection,” says Reed. “Then use an oil in the evening when you slick your hair back to work more magic.”
2 best hair treatments for swimmers
The chlorine buster: L’Oreal Professionnel Metal Detox Leave-In Hair Cream, £27
Preventing accumulated metal particles and chemicals, including chlorine, from penetrating, this cream also helps replenish hair. Prevents breakage and frizz while making sure colour stays put. Don’t jump in the pool without it.
The swimmer’s rescue: Philip Kingsley Swimcap, £25
This creamy mask is designed to protect hair from the damaging effects of chlorine, salt and contains UV protection to boot. It also contains ingredients to help increase the elasticity and strength of your hair.
How to help repair and strengthen your hair post-sun
More moisture is key: consider using a dollop of a hydrating hair mask instead of a regular conditioner after every time you wash your hair on holiday. Look for rich plant oils and butters (shea, mango, cocoa), amino acids and panthenol to condition, and hydrating aloe vera which will also soothe an overheated scalp.
4 best hair and scalp rescue treatments
The slicked-back style protector: Beauty Pie Super Healthy Hair Seven-Oil Hair Elixir, £15 for members (£25 for non-members)
This will drench hair in moisture. It contains seven nourishing hair oils that soften, add shine, keep hair looking smooth and healthy.
The antioxidant treatment mask: Windle Ultra Nourishing Hair Masque, £42
This containt monoi, Babassu and baobab oils to replenish the lipids that have been singed out of your hair, alongside high levels of white tea to beat back the oxidising effects of UV radiation. A treat for post-summer hair.
The eco aftersun for hair: Oway After-Sun Hair Mask, £31
This is not only an amazing, nourishing mask that will infuse hair with nourishing lipids and protective, strengthening antioxidants but it also comes in 100 per cent recyclable packaging. At 50ml, it’s perfect for travel.
The scalp and hair rescue treatment: Espa Pink Hair & Scalp Mud, £36
Most conditioners and masks aren’t designed to go on the scalp, but this pink clay treatment treats both hair and scalp brilliantly. Apply for 20 minutes as pre-wash or overnight. The pink clay helps remove all the build-up from SPF, sand and salt and leaves hair super soft and scalp soothed. It’s our editor’s favourite and also comes in a 30ml travel size for £10.
