Do You Use Protection?

5 Ways to Beat Heat and UV Damage

We all know how important it is to protect our skin from sun damage and melanoma. But what about our hair and scalp? Are they not subject to the same damage caused by heat and UV?

The answer is Yes, and if you go unprotected, your hair definitely suffers the consequences of a burned scalp and brittle strands. With summer right around the corner, here’s what you need to know about how heat and UV exposure can cause damage and what you can do to prevent it.

Wilma Bergfeld, MD, Dermatologist that specializes in hair disorders at Cleveland Clinic, has this to say about heat and sun damage:

“If your hair has prolonged exposure to the sun, UVA and UVB rays can damage the outside cover of the hair strand, called the cuticle … Blow drying or hot flat irons, chlorinated water in swimming pools, or lightening your hair can make it more vulnerable to the summer stresses of heat and sun. All of these damage your hair’s keratin. The damaged protein then allows sun and heat to penetrate the hair more easily and results in a fragile hair strand.”

So, how do you steer clear from these hair disasters?

Here are some ideas, and the products I’ve either used or heard recommended along the way:

  • Up Your Protection ~ Staying out of the sun is obvious, but who wants to do that? Head dress is the next best thing. That floppy-hat-with-attitude is a great start. These days, many summer hats come with their own UV ratings that can assure up to 100 percent protection from the UV predator. If you’re not the hat type, a trendy scarf or turban can up your beach style while keeping your hair safe and covered. Throw in a beach umbrella and now you’re really good to go! Avoiding the peak hours of sun also helps.
  • Remember Your Styling Product! ~ To prevent damage from heat tools, the Thermique products by Kerastase are my go-to’s. My colleague and fellow colorist/hairdresser Sarah Cabral at Mg Salon weighs in with her favorites:

“Using a heat protectant is so important when using any hot tools and especially with the warm weather coming when you are out in the sun! My first-most recommendation is Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil, which I use on wet and dry hair. It’s a highly concentrated, weightless reparative styling oil that dramatically increases shine, softness, and color vibrancy. It also minimizes fly-aways and frizz, while providing UV/heat protection of up to 450°F/232°C. If you prefer a spray instead of an oil, I love the Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant spray, which I always use before curling. This weightless, dry aerosol is a nourishing formula fueled with argan oil and vitamins that re-hydrates the hair while protecting against the damaging effects of heat styling up to 450⁰F/230⁰C.” 

  • Butter Up ~ I recommend that you try to find a leave-in UV-conditioner that you really like and make it your BFF when you set out for a day at the beach. If you prefer a lighter formula, Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Spray Sunscreen SPF100 is a non-greasy, oil-free, and water-resistant formula that dispenses from any angle, getting those hard-to-reach areas of your head. A post-sun coating of good old-fashioned coconut oil as a hair mask for 15 minutes will also go a long way to replenishing the natural oils that have been stripped away by your afternoon of fun in the sun.
  • Rinse It Away ~ Be sure to give your hair a quick dousing after hitting the pool or the waves. Chlorine causes your hair to become dry and damaged, allowing the sun to penetrate and weaken each hair shaft. Saltwater also makes hair dry, unruly, vulnerable to the sun, and difficult to style. Be sure to reapply The Butter after each rinse if you’re staying out for more.
  • Go Fragrance-Free ~ I have several clients that are fragrance-sensitive or -adverse, and they have told me about the growing options for lots of fragrance-free products, including those made for heat- and UV-protection.  Their mentions include the No Nothing Very Sensitive hypoallergenic line without perfumes and colorants. I also hear that Redken has great offerings in this area as well. I haven’t yet used either of these brands myself, but I urge you to explore them if fragrance-free or sensitivity formulas are important to you.

As always, thank you for being such a valued part of our HairLine Community. We are getting fabulous suggestions from our readers on what to cover next. Please leave your ideas for future topics here.

Regards,

Kenny