How to Protect Your Hair From Sun Damage?
The outside world can be harsh, even on your skin and hair. We often wear sunscreen to protect our skin from the sun and cleanse as well as tone it later to reverse the effects of pollution. But, the hair is often left neglected in the midst.
Can your hair get damaged by the sun and pollution?
The main issue with the sun and outdoor activities on sunny days is that it is extremely drying. Brittle strands, broken ends, discoloration, thinning, and fizziness are all signs of sun damage. The dust, heat, and pollution may take a toll on your beautiful locks if they are not carefully combated. External influences may impact your hair, making it seem dull and lifeless, just like they do your skin.
Small dust particles lodge on your scalp and block your hair follicles, causing scalp issues such as dandruff, flaking, scalp acne, and itching. This is why, before going out, you should protect both your hair and your skin.
How to Protect Hair From Sun and Pollution ?
Even though it may sound scary, there are quite a few things you can do to protect your hair from the sun and pollution:
- Simply wear a hat - This may seem self-evident, but it is one of the most effective natural ways to protect hair from the sun. Cover it up, especially if you're out during the hottest part of the day. Choosing a beautiful wide-brimmed hat that gives more covering is wonderful news for your hair and skin.
- Always condition your hair - Conditioning your hair on a regular basis can assist to restore the moisture your hair requires to be healthy. Choose a conditioner that is appropriate for your hair type. Applying conditioner to your hair before diving into the sea or the pool is a great way to protect it from the sun. A tiny bit of coconut oil applied to your hair before stepping into the water is another natural technique to protect your hair from the sun.
- Try an overnight treatment - In the summer, hair treatments that are left in overnight might be very beneficial. Deep conditioning is an excellent way to keep your hair moisturized and vibrant. You may also purchase leave-in conditioners with built-in SPF protection, which might be a good option during the summer, especially if you plan on spending the entire day by the pool or at the beach.
- Don’t wet your hair in the water - While relaxing by the pool or in the sea is wonderful, it can deplete your hair's natural oils. To give your hair a rest, try not to immerse it every day and instead cover it up or keep your head above water.
- Avoid bleach like the plague - If you're going on a beach vacation, wait a few weeks before touching up your hair colour because the sun's rays operate like bleach on hair, reacting with the melanin in an irreversible chemical process to destroy the colour. And, the keratin in your hair is also harmed in the process.
- Switch up your diet with antioxidants - The sun's rays can cause oxidative damage, which is why it's crucial to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants are abundant in a rainbow diet, which includes four to five different fruits and vegetables, thereby helping to reduce oxidative damage.
- Use a hair serum - Hair serums, such as a moisturizing hair serum, are designed to protect your hair from environmental stresses including pollution, dust, and UV radiation. It's best to apply it to the lengths of damp hair, but don't use too much because it will make your hair seem greasy and flat.
- Don’t over wash - Because the oil your hair generates naturally protects it from the sun, you don't want to over wash it, especially during the summer. To clean your hair without depleting the scalp and hair cuticles of moisture, use a dry shampoo or a low-lather cleansing conditioner a couple of times a week instead of lathering up every day.
- Cut down on heat styling - If your hair is already exposed to the sun's rays, straighteners and blow-drying will just add to the heat. When using a hairdryer, keep the temperature moderate and apply a serum to preserve your hair. Allowing your hair to air-dry, if at all feasible, is the most gentle alternative, though.
- Care for the colour - If you have coloured hair, you will need to take extra precautions while exposing it to the sun. The chemicals used to colour your hair, when mixed with the sun's rays, can drastically alter your appearance, and further, colours can change or fade over time. They can sometimes become more vivid or bleached and colouring your hair might cause it to dry out, making it more susceptible to sun damage.
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