When you think of summer fun, you probably think of sunshine and being outside more. But all those trips to the beach and the pool can damage your hair and make it look and feel bad. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays and air pollution like dust and dirt can damage your hair, making it dry, brittle, and easy to break.
The good news is that being outside doesn’t mean you have to give up healthy hair. The sun and smog can damage your hair. To keep your hair healthy and easy to style all year, learn how these things affect your hair and use some simple but effective tips.
How to Understand Sun Damage to Hair
Too much time in the sun is a big cause of ruined hair. UV rays come from the sun. There are two types of UV rays: UVA and UVB. The UVA rays harm the hair shaft, while the UVB rays hurt the cuticle, which is the top layer of hair. This damage changes the protein structure (keratin) of your hair, which makes it lose its shine, wetness, and flexibility.
Have a look at these examples of how sun harm can hurt different kinds of hair:
Light-colored hair: Blonde, platinum, and silver hair have less melanin, which is the protein that gives hair its colour, and are more likely to get sun damage, which means the colour fades and breaks more quickly.
Fine hair: Because fine hair is thinner, UV rays can get through it and damage it more easily.
Treated hair: Hair that has been chemically treated (coloured, bleached, flattened, etc.) is already weak and can get even worse damage from the sun.
Signs of Hair Damage from the Sun:
* Dry and brittle hair
* Split ends
* Lack of shine and dullness
* Frizz
* Colour loss (especially in dyed hair)
* More tangles
How pollution hurts hair health
We often talk about how to protect our hair from the sun, but pollution in cities can also damage your hair. Some pollutants, such as smoke, dirt, dust, and vehicle fumes, can settle on hair and make it look tired and dull. Particles of pollution can also hurt the hair, which can cause it to become dry, flake, and even develop conditions like seborrhoeic dermatitis.
This is how smog can hurt your hair:
“Build-up” means that pollutants can stick to the hair shaft and make a film that makes hair heavy and dull.
Colour stripping: Pollutants can damage hair colour pigments and make them fade faster, especially on hair that has been dyed.
Irritation of the head: Pollution particles can hurt the scalp, making it dry, itchy, and flaky.
Useful Ways to Protect Your Hair from Sun and Pollution
Now that you know how the sun and smog can damage your hair, let’s look at some real-world things you can do:
Ways to protect yourself from the sun:
This is sunscreen for hair: You wouldn’t go outside without sunscreen on your skin, so you might want to use a leave-in sunscreen spray or cream on your hair too. These items protect your hair from sun damage with UV protection. Look for products that are light, won’t get wet, and work with your hair type. During the day, reapply sunscreen often, especially after swimming or working out.
Hairstyles that protect against the sun: Simple hairstyles that cover the hair shaft, like braids, buns, or updos, can help protect your hair from the sun.
Hats are helpful. The sun can hurt your hair, but hats look good and protect it. Pick a hat with a wide top that will cover your head, face, and neck. For hats that protect against UV rays, look for ones made of tightly woven materials like straw or cloth that has a UPF number.
Water is very important.
Deep conditioning: Restore the wetness in your hair that you lose to the sun and other outdoor factors by giving it regular deep conditioning treatments. Deep conditioners that are full of emollients and humectants, which help keep wetness in the hair, are what you should look for.
Conditioners that you leave in: Conditioners that you leave in your hair add extra wetness and protection throughout the day. Choose a leave-in conditioner that is made for your hair type, whether you have thin hair and need something light or thick hair and need something more nourishing.
How often you wash your hair: Don’t wash your hair too often because it can remove natural oils. Try to wash your hair twice or three times a week, and when you rinse it, use cool but not hot water.
Hydration from the inside: It’s important for your hair and general health to drink a lot of water. To keep your hair healthy from the inside out, try to drink eight glasses of water every day.
Hacks for Heat Styling:
Spray for heat protection: Before using hot tools, you should always spray them with something that protects them from heat. These creams cover the hair shaft and protect it from damage caused by heat.
Care After Swimming:
“Rinse after swimming” means to wash your hair well with clean water to get rid of chlorine or salt water after swimming in the ocean or a pool. Salt water can make hair feel stiff and brittle, and chlorine can dry out hair and take away colour.
Clearing shampoo: If you swim a lot, you might want to use a clarifying shampoo once a week to get rid of the chlorine and minerals that build up in pool water. After swimming, use a deep conditioner or hair mask to bring back the wetness your hair lost.
Strategies for protecting the environment:
Hats and scarves: If you’re going to be outside in a polluted area, you might want to wear a hat or scarf. This creates a physical shield that keeps dirt and other things from getting on your hair.
Shampoos that clear things up: Use a cleansing shampoo on a regular basis to get rid of product buildup and air pollution in your hair. Look for shampoos that contain charcoal or bentonite clay, which are known to be good at getting rid of dirt.
Care for your scalp: For hair to grow in well, the skin needs to be healthy. Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner that are made for your scalp type to keep up a good scalp care practice. Massages for the scalp can also improve blood flow and keep hair healthy.
Changing how you protect your hair for different places:
Beach or Poolside:
Pre-swim protection: Wet your hair with clean water before you go swimming to lessen the damage that chlorine and salt water can do.
Swim cap: Wearing a swim cap can help protect your hair from chlorine and salt water.
After swimming, rinse your hair well with clean water and then use a conditioner or hair mask that will moisturise it.
Climates that are hot and dry
Hydrating products: To keep your hair from getting dry, use a light conditioner or hair oil that moisturises. Look for things that have argan oil, coconut oil, or shea butter in them.
Hats that let air flow: To protect your skin from the sun and let air flow, choose hats or head scarves made of materials that let air flow, like cotton or linen. Try to stay away from hot tools as much as possible and try hairstyles that don’t require heat, like bands or buns.
Places that are humid:
Anti-frizz products: Use anti-frizz serums or leave-in conditioners made to control frizz and flyaways to fight frizz when it’s hot outside. Hairstyles that protect: Choose hairstyles that can handle heat better, like braids, buns, or updos.
Accept your texture: If you have naturally curly or wavy hair, highlight your curls and get rid of frizz with a light gel or mousse.
Sports and activities outside:
Hats and headbands: When you’re outside, wear a hat or headband to protect your hair from the sun.
Hair ties and clips: For sports or exercise, use hair ties or clips to keep your hair in place and avoid tangles.
Sun protection spray: For extra UV protection when you’ll be outside for a long time, use a leave-in hair sun protection spray or cream.
Additional Advice:
Diet: A good meal full of minerals and vitamins can help your hair grow from the inside out. Make sure you get enough vitamins A, C, E, and B. These vitamins all help hair grow in a healthy way.
Trims: Getting your hair cut every 6 to 8 weeks can help get rid of split ends and stop sun and smog damage from getting worse.
Pillowcases made of silk or satin: If you have wavy or textured hair, sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase can keep it from breaking because it reduces pressure.
You can keep your hair healthy, shiny, and easy to style all year long by using these sun and pollution safety tips in your daily hair care practice. Always being the same is important! Your hair will be healthy and look better if you keep it away from things that can hurt it, like the sun and the elements.
Questions People Ask About Hair Protection from Sun and Pollution
Here are some frequently asked questions about how to protect hair from the sun and pollution:
Do different hair colours make hair more or less likely to get sun damage?
A: Hair colour does affect damage from the sun. Light hair, like blonde, platinum, and silver, has less melanin (pigment), which makes it more sensitive to sun damage. This means that the colour fades and breaks more quickly in light-colored hair. Also, hair that has been dyed, bleached, or combed is more likely to get sun damage.
Will hats hurt my hair?
Answer: Not always. If you choose the right hat, it can actually protect your hair from sun damage. But stay away from hats made of rough materials that can break easily when they rub against each other. Choose hats made from cotton or linen, which are soft and airy. Make sure the hat doesn’t pull on your hair and fits well.
How can I keep my hair safe from the sun in a natural way?
Yes, there is no natural way to get 100% protection from the sun, but here are some natural ways that can help:
• Hair oils: Natural oils like olive oil, coconut oil, or argan oil can protect your hair from UV rays. Before going outside, put a small amount on your hair shafts, focusing on the ends.
Conditioners that you leave in with SPF: There are some leave-in products that have SPF in them to protect against UV rays. Look for purifiers that say “SPF” on the box, and be sure to carefully follow the directions for how to use them.
Hairstyles that protect: By covering the hair root, braids, buns can help protect your hair from the sun.
How often should I use a shampoo that makes my hair clear?
A: How often you use a cleansing shampoo depends on the type of hair you have and how you live. A cleansing shampoo might help your hair once a week if you swim a lot, live in a dirty city, or use a lot of style products. But people with damaged or dry hair should not use a clarifying shampoo too often because it can strip the hair of its natural oils. Try to find a balance and change the frequency based on what your hair needs.
What are some signs that pollution is making my skin itch?
As for your question, if your skin is dry, itchy, flaky, or red, it could be because of pollution. You may also notice that your hair is more sensitive or even get a disease like seborrhoeic dermatitis.
Is there a type of hair that is less damaged by pollution?
Because of pollution, unfortunately, all hair types can be damaged. Fine hair, on the other hand, is less likely to be damaged by smog than coarse, thick hair. A balanced microbiome on the head of healthy hair is also better able to handle external stresses.
You can make sure your hair stays healthy, bright, and easy to style all year by learning how the sun and smog affect it and using these safe methods every day. Remember to pick hair care items that are made for your hair type and to change your routine depending on where you are and what you’re doing.
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