How to Protect Hair in the Sun

When the weather gets warmer, at home or abroad, we all take precautions when it comes to our skin, applying SPF regularly to stay protected. But what about our hair? Most of us don’t even realise that our hair needs a shield from the sun’s harmful rays, and this can really take its toll on hair exposed to the heat. I really recommend using a daily SPF hair protecting spray every day in the summer, to help protect hair against damaging UV rays and keep it looking and feeling soft and nourished.

And over the course of the summer, it’s not just the sun that your hair will be up against. You’ll likely expose your hair to the elements time and time again; think salty seawater drying out the ends, or chlorine stripping your colour, to leave you with parched, dull locks. Cover up with a chic hat when the sun is at its hottest, protecting your scalp as well as your hair. And if you’re planning on hitting the sea or the pool, soak your hair in freshwater before you take the plunge; hair can only absorb so much water, so pre-soaking it will mean it won’t take in as much chlorinated or salt water, protecting those strands. If you have bleached hair, don’t take risks when it comes to your colour. Slather on a lovely deep conditioner and pop on a swimming cap before you jump in the pool. It might not look fabulous, but your hair will afterwards!

Another top tip for protecting hair in the summer time is to skip the heat styling, and let your hair do its own thing naturally. Try air-drying instead of blasting with the blow-dryer; apply SheaMoisture’s Smooth & Tame Blow-Out Crème and twist the hair into a few low buns while it dries, loosening out later for soft, beachy waves.

Finally, conditioning is key for keeping hair healthy in the sun, so treat yourself to a weekly masque. Masking is a luxury we should all enjoy, but it’s especially important in the summer, when the heat and the overexposure to the elements can really play havoc with our hair. Once a week, slather an intense hair mask into your locks, such as Shea Moisture’s Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque which uses rich minerals and oils to nourish, smooth and seal the hair. Massage into the hair and leave on for as long as possible before shampooing out, for shiny and hydrated locks.