How to Identify and Treat Sun Damaged Hair

Ah, the joys of summertime. Beach days, pool days, BBQs, backyard parties, and festivals—summertime means outdoor fun at its finest. During our time in the sun, we apply sunscreen to protect our skin but we tend to forget that hair can be damaged by the sun too. You can take steps to prevent sun damaged hair—from wearing hats and scarves or hair sunblock—but most times we don’t notice the damage until it’s already done.

What are the signs that your hair has been damaged by too much sun? If you see the signs, what can be done about it?

Let’s take a closer look at how to identify sun-damaged hair and how to treat it.

How Does Sun Exposure Damage Hair?

The sun’s powerful UV rays break down lipids on the hair strand’s outer layer, resulting in a weakened cuticle—your hair’s protective layer. Keratin, a hair protein, can also suffer damage from UV rays.

When the cuticle and keratin protein weakens, the hair strand is more prone to dryness, breakage, brittleness, and other hair damage.

How to Identify Sun-Damaged Hair

Certain signs may indicate that your hair has been damaged by too much sun exposure. Some of these signs include:

• Hair color fades
• New highlights appear
• Hair appears dull, with little shine
• Brittle hair that breaks easily
• Split ends
• Dry or frizzy hair that is rough to the touch
• Absorbs water and products faster (due to increased porosity)

Hair Treatment for Sun-Damaged Hair

Your hair care professionals will be able to confirm sun-damaged hair and they can help you find the best treatment for it! Depending on the extent of the damage, you have several options that can help you reverse or improve the condition of your damaged hair.

Get a Trim

Trimming sun-damaged hair can prevent worse damage caused by split ends creeping upwards. A decent trim is a good start to getting the sun damage under control.

Use Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner

When it comes to shampoo and conditioner, they are not all equal! Hair that needs healing from sun damage needs hydration, and a specially formulated shampoo and conditioner will help. Choose products with nourishing oils such as organ, jojoba, and coconut oil.

Try a Hair Gloss

Dry, lackluster hair needs some help getting back its shine! One option is to go for a hair gloss treatment. Hair gloss will replenish the missing shine, seal the ends and make hair smooth and lustrous.

Use a Hair Mask

A hair mask is a great way to counter the damage caused by the sun, salt water, or chlorine. Hair masks are a great way to add moisture, brightness, and softness to your hair.

Heal Your Sun-Damaged Hair

Enjoying our time outdoors is what we love most about summer, but we should consider hair protection as much as we do our skin protection. If you do see signs that you may have sun-damaged hair, try one of the many treatment options to get your healthy hair back.

At Gibson Hair and Make-up, our stylists want to help you look and feel your best! We offer a full range of hair and make-up services in Charleston. Contact us to make an appointment today.