Spending time in the summer sunshine is a beloved seasonal tradition. Most of us would rather be sitting on the beach or hitting a few balls on the court than being cooped up indoors. We love our sunny weather outdoor time! We also know that there is a fine line between reaping the benefits of sun exposure and developing skin, hair, and health damage from it.
Is Sun Good for Hair and Scalp?
Exposure to sunlight certainly has its health benefits. Sunlight enables your body to produce vitamin D, which is important for your overall health. It is essential for healthy hair growth as well.
Sunlight is also important for one’s mental well-being. It can reduce stress and elevate one’s mood, which can reduce the likelihood of stress-related hair loss.
What Does the Sun Do to Your Hair?
Catching a few rays may have indirect benefits for your hair, but overexposure can be detrimental. Sun damages hair by stripping its natural oils, breaking down pigments, weakening its protein structures, and creating free radicals. Too much sun can cause a sunburned scalp, scalp and hair dryness, brittle hair, split ends, and premature hair aging. It can also cause colored hair to fade more rapidly.
Does Hair Absorb Sunlight?
Yes, hair absorbs sunlight, including UVA and UVB radiation that can damage your hair. Your hair’s melanin can soak up some of these harmful rays, but not enough to prevent weakening of the cuticle, dryness, breakage, and color changes.
Does Sunlight Cause Gray Hair?
Sunlight does not cause hair to turn gray, at least not directly. It can, however, worsen the appearance of gray hair or accelerate the graying process. Prolonged sun exposure speeds the demise of cells that produce hair pigments, causing hair to fade more quickly. It also damages the hair cuticle, which can turn the residual melanin in graying hair into a brassy or yellow color.
How Can I Protect My Hair from Sun Damage?
The best way to protect your hair from sun damage is to avoid exposure in the first place. Few people wish to spend all their time indoors, so when venturing outside, we suggest the following:
- Wear a hat or scarf. These serve as barriers to protect your scalp and hair from UV rays.
- Seek shade. Whenever possible, minimize time spent in direct sunlight. This is especially important during peak sun hours, approximately 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Use hair sunscreen. There are numerous sprays, creams, and serums formulated to protect the hair and scalp from UV rays. Some leave-in conditioners and styling products also contain sunscreen.
- Deep condition regularly. This keeps your hair healthy, hydrated, and less prone to sun (and other types of) damage.
- Be gentle to your hair. If you know you will be exposed to the sun, use gentle, sulfate-free products on your hair. Also avoid over-styling, especially with heat tools.
How Do I Protect Dyed Hair from the Sun?
Dyed hair is particularly vulnerable to the effects of sun exposure. We suggest you follow the above guidelines and consider adding color enhancing and protecting products to your haircare routine. Because chlorine and other chemicals can compound the negative effects of too much sun, rinse your hair thoroughly after swimming.
Let Precision Hair Restoration Treat Your Hair Loss
If your hair is sun-damaged, we offer cutting-edge treatments to improve its health and to mitigate the effects of hair loss and thinning from extended UV exposure. Contact us today to set up a consultation to discuss your hair growth goals. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you achieve a thicker, fuller head of hair.
