Sun protection for your hair is the secret to the silkiest, healthiest strands
Summer hair is dreamy. Salty waves, sunkissed highlights, relaxed updos. Yum. But it can also be the worst time for damage. Sun protection for your hair is easy to forget, but honestly, it's a game-changer, because SPF isn't just an essential for the face and body when summertime hits.
But before we get into why spf is so good at protecting, it's worth mentioning that it has a double-whammy benefit of upping your hair styling game, too. If humidity sees your hair go wild with flyaways, the suncream hair hack can smooth things out. Using a tiny blob of suncream over hair can create a sleek finish.
“When I've forgotten my hair UV protection, I've used this trick myself,” confirms top London hair stylist, Hollie Rose Clarke. “Suncream is a heavy product (and by heavy, I mean thick and oily), due to its greasy formula, but it's actually a great anti-flyaway cream for beach waves.”
Alongside styling, sun protection for your hair can give you pretty summer strands, just without the damage. “The sun can oxidise the hair's pigment and give us those gorgeous sunkissed highlights. However, just like when we lighten our hair in a salon using bleach, the natural highlights the sun gives can damage and weaken the bonds of the hair, resulting in dry, brittle, porous hair and even breakage,” says Hollie. “So hair spf is a must!”
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In fact, a study conducted by haircare brand Philip Kingsley (creator of the iconic Elasticizer hair mask which has been saving our crispy ends for years) revealed that the most reported cause of hair damage during summer holidays is the UV rays from the sun, closely followed by chlorine in swimming pools and harsh sea salt water. Those taking part in the study noticed that this damage manifested itself through the following: Excessive dryness (19%), Frizz and split ends (17%), Colour fading (13%), Change in hair colour caused by chlorine (7%), Dry scalps (7%).
“A key part of hair health is treating and protecting the scalp as we would the skin on our face. So even when I remember to pack my Aveda suncare protective veil, I will still use my SPF on my hairline and parting to protect my scalp,” says Hollie.
And a hair spf is especially important if you dye or highlight your hair as you don't want to see all the money and effort scorched away. Michael Shaun Corby, Global Creative Director for Living Proof, explains: "UV rays can damage the hair’s matrix and fade hair colour, especially colour-treated hair. It can lose the shine that healthy hair would normally have.”
According to Michael, while all hair colours and all hair types can be affected by UV rays, generally it’s people with very dry, chemically treated or colour-treated hair that already have a compromised cuticle layer that are most affected, as the UV accelerates the damage and can cause breakage and weakening of hair shafts.
And you're not just at risk when you're outside but sat in your home, too. “If you’re at home but sat by a window, the UV rays will penetrate through and reach the hair, the same as it does when you think about your skin," warns Michael. “If you’re concerned with your colour fading, or your hair becoming dry and damaged, UV protection will help prevent further damage and colour loss,” he says.
Michael insists that it doesn’t matter which products you get your UV protection from as long as you get it. "We have UV filters in the Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner from Living Proof, which remain in the hair to protect from colour-fade and UV damage, but we also have UV protection in our popular dry stylers like the Dry Volume Blast, Instant De-Frizzer and Perfecting Spray.”
It's an obvious one, but the best way to protect your hair in summer is to stay out of the sun as much as possible and wear hats or head scarves when you do go out. But if you really want to let your locks lose and leave your hair free to fly in the sea breeze, spritz one of our favourite UV hair protectants on your hairstyle first. There's Sachajuan's Hair After The Sun which leaves hair feeling soft, healthy and conditioned, or Davines' SU Hair Milk which is packed full of Vitamin C and anti-oxidants and can be used as a leave-in conditioner as well as hair mist. Or how about Bumble and Bumble's UV Protective Primer? It's available at Boots and is a cult classic for a reason.
Here are the best UV hair sprays to shop now.
And don't forget to restore hydration after a day in the sun with a hardworking hair mask. We'll know if you don't.
Best UV hair protection for humidity
Tigi Bed Head Beach Bound Protection Spray, £16.25, Look Fantastic
This summer essential lures us in with its mango-tangerine scent, but we stay for the heat and humidity protection.
Best UV hair protection for long days in the sun
Aveda Protective Hair Veil, £22.50, Aveda
One of the most recognised and best UV protection sprays, this water-resistant formula protects tresses for up to 16 hours, allowing you a whole day of fun in the sunshine (within reason, ofc).
Best UV hair protection for silky locks
Sachajuan Hair After The Sun, £23, Cult Beauty
Yes, there's now after sun for your hair, too - and we love it. The perfect accompaniment to Sachajuan's In Sun hair product, this ensures hair is left feeling smooth, healthy and conditioned.
Best UV hair protection for an injection of Vitamin C
Davines SU Hair Milk, £23, Liberty
Ideal for coloured hair, this is rich in Vitamin C and anti-oxidants, and can be used as a leave-in conditioner, as well as a protection mist.
Best UV hair protection for using on damp hair
Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer, £22, Boots
Bumble & Bumble's Invisible Oil has been amped up with UV protectants and can be used on damp or dry hair. It's a cult classic for a reason.
Best UV hair protection for detangling
Living Proof Restore Perfecting Spray, £27, Cult Beauty
An excellent product for summer and beyond, not only does this act as a heat protectant but it also detangles, adds shine and smoothes frizz.
Best UV hair protection for banishing chlorine and sea salt damage
Philip Kingsley Swimcap Cream, £6.99, Fragrance Direct
When a product was first created for the US Olympic Synchronized Swimming Team, you know it's got to be good. Beauty fans rave about this haircare saviour - and for good reason. Acting as a barrier between your hair and the sun, Swimcap also protects against chlorine and sea salt. A 3-in-1 must-have.
