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Summary: In this blog we learn about whether your hair needs to be considered when it comes to SPF protection and how to help your hair through these hotter months...

It hopefully isn’t news to you that the sun can damage your skin and that SPF protection is essential to help keep your skin healthy and burn free. But, what about the damage UV rays do to your hair?

That’s right. Exposure to the sun can cause as much damage to your hair as it does to your skin.

Ever noticed your hair feeling a lot more drier in the summer months? That’s because if you’ve been in the sun too long, the UV rays from the sun can damage the cuticle of the hair (the outer layer that protects the hair shaft).

This is because UV sun rays can encourage the treacherous behaviour of free radicals, and thus causes the hair to become dry and brittle. In other words… Your hair gets sunburnt too!

The sun also has an affect on coloured hair. Sun exposure can cause the dye to fade and discolour your overall shade – not okay!

And if you’re bald, or have thinning hair, your scalp is at higher risk of developing sun burn which can lead to skin cancer.

So, if you want to avoid a dehydrated mane and straggly, limp hair strands this summer, and keep your scalp safe from burning, it’s probably time to invest in UV Hair Protection. Here’s some ideas of what to do to help your hair and scalp when you’re headed outside in the sun!

Invest In A UV Protection Spray For Hair

If you apply sun screen meant for the body to your scalp and hair partings, your hair will look lank and greasy which isn’t a good look for anybody! But, there are specific products you can buy which are tailored for hair and scalp sun protection.

Decide whether you want a UV protection spray, mist, powder, cream, milk or oil and apply regularly throughout the day, like you would sun cream on your skin.

Cel Pro Tip: When your hair is wet, it’s in its most vulnerable state. This is when the hair shaft is at its weakest making it more more susceptible to the effects of UV rays.

Reapplication of your hair’s UV protection spray is so important after you’ve just jumped out of the pool or when drying off from being in the sea, so keep your chosen product close by in your beach bag!

Wear A Hat

This is the number one way of protecting your head’s skin and hair from the effects of sun exposure. A fashionable hat with a wide brim can help you stay stylish but, as well as saving your hair, it can protect your face, ears, and scalp from sun burn and damage too.

But hey, if a wide brim hat ain’t your thing, any hat will help save your scalp and hair - but make sure you’re using SPF protection on your ears, neck and face too if they’re exposed!

Seek Out The Shade

If you’re a beach babe, we get you. There’s nothing better than lazing at the beach all day, soaking up them rays! But it’s good to take your time in the shade to give your hair, skin and scalp a break from all that UV exposure.

The sun is at its strongest between 10am and 4pm, so take regular breaks from it during this period or plan your outdoor activities in the sun outside of these times.

If you’re out, look to sit under trees in a park or invest in a glamorous beach umbrella or little sun tent. Your body and hair will thank you for it!

Rehydrate With A Mask

Even if you’re shade hunting, wearing a hat and spraying on your protection, if you live in a hot climate, work outside or are on holiday somewhere sunny, make sure you’re rehydrating the hair with a nourishing hair mask 2-3 times a week. This will help make sure your hair’s in the best condition it can be throughout these hotter times.

Try Cel’s Microstem Hair Thickening Mask. This advanced keratin, biotin and argan oil rich hair thickening mask nourishes and thickens the appearance of dry, dull hair, whilst providing astonishing hydration.

Utilising advanced argan oil; heat, colour and environmentally damaged hair can be restored from the first use, helping to instantly improve the appearance of dried out tresses.

Cel’s Microstem Hair Thickening Mask formula contains Glycerin: a strong sugar compound that increases moisture in our hair and on our scalp, adding hydration and also encouraging healthy hair growth. And for a bonus point: our Microstem Hair Thickening Mask is totally safe to use on colour treated hair.

After washing your hair (with Cel’s Microstem Shampoo obviously!), rinse thoroughly and apply a generous amount of the Microstem Hair Thickening Mask to your hair from root to tip, paying particular attention to the ends. Leave for a minimum of a minute (longer for deeper conditioning) before rinsing thoroughly.

Our Final Thoughts On UV Hair Protection...

Summer months and general hot climates can wreak havoc on our hair if we’re not doing what we can to support and protect it. Throw in the drying effects of sea salt and chlorine, your hair has little hope of avoiding split ends and breakages if you’re not doing your bit to help it.

Following the above steps will help keep your hair in tip top condition and your scalp sun burn free, so you can relax a little more when out catching those rays!