How to protect hair from sun bleaching

Yes, if your dyed blonde tresses are struggling under the spring sunshine you're not alone. UVA rays can be just as harmful to hair just they are to skin, but the good news is there are steps you can take to protect it from damage and discolouration.

First and foremost, vitamin C can be a life-saver for dyed or bleached hair. The antioxidant can protect from UVA and comes in lots of products like leave-in conditioner and serum.

We spoke to Sam Hankin, stylist at Blue Tit salon in Brixton, who told us: "If the hair is already lightened blonde, then being outside in the sun will help it to brighten more naturally, but make sure you've got plenty of hair SPF.

"Choose everyday products that already contain SPF in. Also avoid over using purple shampoo, as it could make it look dull and a bit green in some lights... and absolutely do not use it in the sun"

So there you have it - look after dyed blonde hair in the sun like you would with your skin.

And if you're jetting off for sunnier climes? You'll no doubt want to avoid the dreaded 'green staining' that can occur when bleached hair interacts with chlorine in the pool.

Your hair is much like a sponge - in that it will absord much more liquid if it's dry than an already-wet sponge.

With this in mind, it's advisable to pre-soak your hair in clean water before swimming in a chlorinated pool.

If you want to ensure total protection, a hair masque (the oilier the better!) or even a swim cap will do the job - hence creating a physical barrier between your hair and the water.

Now that summer is here, it’s tempting to want to lie out in the sun and soak up as much as we can. It might feel good, but too much sun exposure can be harmful. When it comes to our hair, the sun causes our hair to dry out and fade, and for our skin, it can cause wrinkles and even skin cancer.

So what can you do about it? Here are a few tips you can follow to protect your hair and your skin from the sun this summer: 

1. Use a UV protective balm on your hair: The sun is a natural bleach, lightening everything in sight, including your hair color. UV rays from the sun break down the chemical bonds that are present in dyes, which causes the dyes to fade. That’s why if you have color-treated hair, your color will fade more quickly the more it’s exposed to sunlight.

Sun protection is a must for your skin and your hair. “People use hair sunscreen to protect their hair from harmful UV rays, which can burn the hair much as they do with the skin. With hair, UV light causes hair to dry out," celebrity hairstylist and Imbue ambassador Michelle Sultan says. The sun can dry out your hair, make it weak, and can lighten the hair.

"Hair could be compared to a beautiful piece of fruit, having an outside 'skin' like the hair's cuticle to protect it. Once the outside of either gets damaged, the inside loses its excellence," says Kate Reid, editorial colorist and Design Director of COLOR.ME by Kevin Murphy. "Color, strength, and moisture all [get] lost much faster as it has no protection."

Those without color-treated hair aren't off the hook, either. As Reid explains, "uncolored hair still breaks down from sun and chlorine, salt and the cuticle becomes damaged creating a rough, dull outside on your hair which then doesn't reflect light and shine in the same manner."

Convinced yet? If you're in the market for the perfect sunscreen for your hair (that will protect your sheen and color) here is a list of 12 great options. Now go out and enjoy the sun, responsibly.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Curl Defending Heat Protection Mist

Sun Care Protective Hair Veil

Protective Oil with Ylang-Ylang Wax

Bright Blonde Sun Lightening Mist

Poof 100% Mineral Part Powder SPF 35

Sun Catcher Power C Boosting Leave-In Conditioner

Best for Color-Treated Hair

Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat & UV Protective Primer

Phytoplage Protective Sun Veil

Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist

Can your scalp really get sunburned?

“Your scalp can absolutely get burnt. The skin on your scalp is the same as skin anywhere on your body. Hair actually protects your scalp from burning too easily in direct sunlight,” Sultan says. People with fine, lighter hair are more susceptible to burning. “That’s why wearing a sun hat is commonly recommended and while this is not always practical, the other option is to use a form of hair sunscreen that has UV protection in it,” she adds.

How can you protect your hair from UV rays without making it feel greasy or weighed down?

“Hair sunscreen comes in many different forms now but if you’re looking for a non-greasy one that doesn’t weigh the hair down then try one in a powder form or a spray,” Sultan says.

What should you look for in a hair sunscreen?

Sultan advises shopping for hair sunscreen the same way you shop for sunscreen for your face. “You should be looking for a sunscreen that has a high level of UV protection of at least SPF 30, one that doesn’t change the style of your hair, is lightweight and doesn’t leave a white cast,” she says.

How do I keep my hair from sun bleaching?

What can I put on my hair to protect it from the sun?

Does sun bleaching damage hair?