What Is The Best Sun Protection For Your Hair?

What Is The Best Sun Protection For Your Hair?

Whether you’re setting off to Spain or living it up in Costa Del Manchester during a heatwave, protecting your hair and scalp against sun damage is paramount! Keep reading to find out why it’s so important, how to protect it and our top 10 sun protection products…

Are you going on holiday sometime soon or preparing for an upcoming heatwave? Whatever your reason for coming to this blog, you’re concerned about how you can protect your luscious locks against sun damage and want to learn the best way to do so.

At Stranded Hair Group, we know how precious your hair is to you. Hair makes us feel beautiful, confident and does wonders for our self-esteem, and so we know that damaging your hair can damage your confidence too!

Part of our brand commitment is making sure our customers feel like every day is a good hair day, and we strive to do this by not just providing high-quality clip-in hair extensions, but by also educating you on how best to look after your hair.

And that’s why we write blogs, just like this one!

In this blog, you will learn what sun protection for hair is, why and how you should protect your hair from the sun, the signs of sun damage in hair and our top 10 favourite sun protection hair products. By the end, you will feel confident to step into the sun, knowing that no UV rays are going to compromise your hair or how you feel about yourself!

• What is hair sun protection?
• Why is it important to protect your hair from the sun?
• Signs of sun damage in your hair
• How can you protect your hair from sun damage?
• Top 10 sun protection products for your hair

What is hair sun protection?

Hair sun protection is just as it sounds - ways to protect your hair from the sun. However, it isn’t just ‘the sun’ that you need to protect your hair from. It is the UV rays and heat from the sun.

Sun protection for your hair can come in many forms, including certain hairstyles, accessories and products to keep the UV rays and heat away from your luscious locks.

Why is it important to protect your hair from the sun?

It is important to protect your hair from the sun because it can damage your hair.

The UV rays and heat from the sun can dry out your hair, prevent moisture from entering the cuticle, break down colour molecules, turn it brassy and result in extreme breakage and colour fade (to name a few).

You also need to consider that for healthy hair, you need a healthy scalp. UV rays can burn your scalp, which can actually damage your hair at the root. Extreme scalp sunburns can actually impact the long-term health of your scalp and result in hair loss.

Signs of sun damage in your hair

To recap, sun damage in your hair can look like this:

• Colour loses its vibrancy
• Hair turning brassy (orange/copper tones)
• Dull hair with no shine
• Dry hair
• Hair unable to retain moisture
• Brittle hair, prone to breakage
• Broken or split ends
• Excess frizz
• Hair thinning

How can you protect your hair from sun damage?

There are many steps you can take to protect your hair from sun damage.

Protective Hairstyles

The first step you might take is putting your hair into a protective hairstyle. Hairstyles that bring all the hair together, such as a bun or a plait, reduce the surface area of hair that could get damaged by the sun. These hairstyles can also help you cover your scalp from burning.

Hats

Another step you might take to protect your hair is wearing a hat or cap. Hats will cover the top of your head, protecting it from the sun, which will prevent the top of your hair from being damaged and your scalp from burning. Hats can also provide shade from the sun, and depending on how big the hat is, could help shade all of your hair (such as a wide-brim hat).

Sun protection products

However, the best step you can take to protect your hair from sun damage is to use sun protection products in your hair. Hair sun protection products work similarly to suncream, however, we do not recommend actually putting suncream in your hair.

Many suncreams, as well as other cosmetic products, contain a chemical called Avobenzone. When Avobenzone meets with UV rays on the hair, it causes a chemical reaction. This chemical reaction is known to cause your hair colour to change - most commonly with blonde hair turning pink and brunette hair turning orange.

Instead, these products are specifically formulated to be safe and lightweight in your hair, protecting it from heat and UV rays, without risking chemical reactions and colour change.

TOP TIP: When you’re thinking about protecting your hair from sun damage, remember that it is not just your hair that needs protecting, but also your scalp!

Top 10 sun protection products for your hair

In no particular order, these are our top 10 favourite sun protection products for your hair, perfect for all different hair types and budgets:

1. Moroccanoil Prevent and Protect Spray 160ml (RRP £23.95)

This leave-in protection spray contains ‘a blend of antioxidants to [neutralise] free radicals generated by UV, pollution and other stressors, sunscreens to help absorb UV rays, thermal protection against heat and ArganID™ technology to infuse argan oil into the hair's cortex, sealing and repairing the hair’.

We do not recommend using any type of oil near your scalp if you have excessively oily hair or tape extensions.

2. Bumble and bumble Prêt-Á-Powder Très Invisible Dry Shampoo 150ml (RRP £28)

This dry shampoo is ‘formulated with French Pink Clay, this dry shampoo absorbs oil and sweat from roots to ends, leaving strands lightly scented – with no trace of white residue. UV filters help protect against the drying effects of the sun.’. 

This product is perfect for women who need an extra boost of volume or have oily hair that needs refreshing between washes.

3. L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Solar Sublime UV Filter Spray 125ml (RRP £15.50)

This leave-in spray contains ‘UV filter technology to help prevent against sun damage. Enriched with Aloe Vera to nourish and smooth your tresses, the spray helps to keep hair hydrated and protect against the effects of Chlorine, Salt and UV rays.’.

This is a great budget option, whilst still salon-friendly. As the product isn’t oil-based, it is also a great moisturising option for women with oily hair.

4. Sun Bum Scalp & Hair Mist SPF 30 59ml (RRP $17.49)

This mist ‘delivers a lightweight, nourishing mist to help protect your scalp from the sun without weighing down your hair. Works for all hair types.’.

Please note, whilst this product is highly recommended, it is difficult at the current moment to purchase in the UK.

5. Wella Invigo Sun UV Hair Colour Protection Spray 150ml (RRP £14.80)

This leave-in spray claims that it ‘reduces effects of UV exposure, protecting coloured hair leaving hair nourished and vibrant.’

This product is another budget and salon-friendly option, suitable for all hair types and perfect for clients with coloured hair.

6. Beauty Works After Sun UV Spray 200ml (RRP £13)

This oil spray from Beauty Works ‘shields hair from harmful UV Rays, minimises colour fade and protects from heat damage and dryness. Our lightweight formula acts as an invisible veil to help protect hair from sun exposure.’.

The lightweight oil in this spray is great for moisturising your hair without weighing it down. However, whilst this product comes from a reputable hair extension brand, we do not recommend using it if you wear tape extensions.

7. Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil 100ml (RRP £27)

This product ‘is a lightweight, water-resistant UV [defence] mist that forms an invisible screen to help protect hair from sun exposure to minimise damage and dryness […] This protective UV spray for hair is enriched with Aveda's own pure-fume™ aroma with certified organic neroli, ylang ylang, cistus and other pure flower and plant essences’.

Aveda is a great brand if you’re looking to add some luxury to your hair care, especially as a little treat whilst you’re away on holiday.

8. Revolution Haircare SPF 30 Scalp Protect Spray 50ml (RRP £7)

This spray gives ‘invisible essential protection for your sensitive scalp, this easy-to-use formula helps shield the top of your head from UVA rays [made with] water-resistant, non-greasy formula, enriched with coconut oil and coconut fragrance. Made with a targeted nozzle for ease of application on the scalp.’.

We love Revolution Haircare! This product is a great option if you’re looking for a super budget-friendly, drugstore option that you can quickly grab and pack, and perfect for sensitive scalps. However, this product does not claim to work for all of your hair.

9. Malibu SPF50 Clear Hair & Scalp Protector 50ml (RRP £4.49)

This easy, travel-sized spray describes itself as ‘High Protection, UVA/UVB Sunscreens, photostable, Clinically Proven to be Kind to Skin, Easy Application, Non Greasy, Vitamin Enriched, Water Resistant, Only Tested on Humans [and] Made in England’

This product is the ultimate budget-friendly option from a holiday-favourite sun protection brand, which will protect your head from scalp to hair ends!

10. TIGI Bed Head Beach Bound Protection Spray for Coloured Hair 100ml (RRP £8.13)

Described as ‘infused with a nourishing blend of Sunflower Seed Oil and Grapefruit Extract, the protective spray utilises UV filters that target the internal protein bonds of the hair to fortify every strand; colour vibrancy is saved and frizz and flyaways are banished.’

Another drugstore, budget-friendly product that you can grab and go on holiday with. Perfect for protecting your hair and colour from the sun, without breaking the bank.

Jetting off already?

You came to this blog curious about the best sun protection for your hair. Now whether you’re setting off to Spain and living it up in Costa Del Manchester in a heatwave, protecting your hair and scalp is of the utmost importance.

Since reading this blog, you have learnt what sun protection for hair is, why and how you should protect your hair from the sun, the signs of sun damage in hair and our top 10 favourite sun protection hair products - AKA you know it all and you’re ready to go!

But what now?

At Stranded, we want you to feel like your most confident self, whether that’s with or without our clip-in extensions. Your natural hair is crown, and as such, you should protect it against any sort of damage with all you have.

It’s time to protect your hair!

If you haven’t already, head back to our top 10 list of sun protection products for your hair, and add your favourite one to your basket! Remember to consider your hair type, whether you wear any extensions and what your budget is - don’t be afraid to choose a drugstore option if it’s the best one for you!

Found this blog helpful?

Why not read more blogs over on the Stranded Blog? If you’re jetting off on holiday anytime soon, we recommend reading our blog on ‘Hair Extensions On Holiday: Top Tips To Protect Your Hair’.