How to Protect Your Hair from the Sun

Summer is synonymous with sun, fun, and the freedom of the great outdoors. However, it's often overlooked that sun exposure without proper protective measures can be very harmful to your skin.

We moisturize it to counter the effects of UV rays, while forgetting that hair also suffers the damage, not only from sun exposure, but also from sea salt, chlorine from swimming pools, beach sand and wind which bleach, dehydrate and weaken hair. It is therefore important to know how to protect your hair from the sun.

Below I offer you tips and advice that will help your hair resist the aggressions of summer while fully enjoying this beautiful season that is unfortunately all too short.

In this article we will see how to protect your hair from the sun, more precisely:

1. What you need to know
2. Tips for summer
3. Quick tips for summer
4. Two essential products for your hair

What you need to know

While the sun can give your hair a shiny glow and trigger the production of vitamin D, which binds calcium to your hair, be aware that UV rays have the same dangerous effects on your skin as they do on your hair.

While infrared rays alter the pH of the scalp, swimming in the sea or a pool leaves your hair with an alkaline pH that weakens the cuticles and opens the door to external aggressions. And what about chlorine, which dries out the hair fiber and can cause very unpleasant surprises for color-treated hair!

Fortunately, there's a wide range of hair care products and treatments on the market to help with these (minor) summer inconveniences. Also, adopting a few good habits can make the sun a better ally.

I Tips for summer:

• The safest advice is obviously to wear a hat or cap when you're out in the sun . But if you want to have a dreamy tan on your face and neck, you can opt for a scarf that you can place over your hair like a turban.

• Depending on your hair type, it is not mandatory to wash your hair daily during the summer. If you insist on it or because your hair gets greasy easily, there are very gentle shampoos or shampoos for oily hair that will allow you to keep your hair clean at all times without drying out your scalp and hair even more .

• Are you enjoying your summer pool? Only a few jealous people will criticize you for it. However, remember to never wash your hair before swimming . This will reduce the natural oils in your hair and make it more vulnerable to chemicals and salt in the water.

• Whether you're at the beach, on a bike ride, or walking, and you enjoy the feeling of the wind in your hair, it's important to protect both your hair and your skin by applying the right sunscreen . A non-greasy spray hair sunscreen, a dry oil, a protective treatment, or a leave-in conditioner will coat your hair and limit damage. You should reapply every two hours or after swimming, just like sunscreen.

• A non-greasy hair spray sunscreen, dry oil, a protective treatment, or a leave-in conditioner will condition your hair and limit damage. Reapply every two hours or after swimming, just like sunscreen.

• If there is a shower near your swimming spot, it is recommended that you rinse your hair after getting out of the water to remove any sand, salt, or chlorine . A bottle of clear water you brought with you will also work.

• Since UV rays make colored hair more sensitive than natural hair, it is recommended to wait before getting highlights or even coloring your hair before going on a beach vacation or long exposure to the sun. You should also avoid flash coloring (red, intense copper) otherwise there is a risk of discoloration or even color change due to chlorine and salt. There are pigmented shampoos for colored hair that refresh and maintain the color. No matter what the color, these shampoos will restore a thin layer of color to your hair with each wash.

• During your after-sun shower, I recommend washing your hair with a shampoo for oily hair . It has the property of removing impurities from the hair (minerals, dirty water, free radicals). People with dry and brittle hair will prefer a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo. Once or twice a week, you can complete your wash by applying a repairing mask containing an acidic pH to all the lengths and ends. This is to close the hair cuticles and protect them for the following day. You can also use a conditioner that you leave on for 3 to 5 minutes.

Box of tips on how to protect your hair from the sun...

• UV rays have the same dangerous effects on your skin as they do on your hair.
• Depending on your hair type, it is not necessary to wash your hair daily during the summer.
• UV rays make colored hair more sensitive than natural hair, so it is recommended to wait before getting highlights or even coloring before going on a beach vacation or long exposure to the sun.
• When you shower after sunbathing, I recommend washing your hair with a shampoo for oily hair.

I Quick Tips

• You can make your own post-beach hair lotion. Seawater is highly alkaline and has a pH of around 8.3, which can open your cuticles and make your hair dry and prone to split ends. In a spray bottle, mix two cups of green tea and the juice of one lemon. Apply after shampooing or directly after the beach. DO NOT APPLY IN THE SUN! Lemon could damage your hair color.

• You can protect and moisturize your hair in one fell swoop while lounging on the beach. Apply a gentle conditioner to the lengths and ends of your wet hair, skipping the roots. Tie it up in a ponytail and leave it on. Reapply as needed.

• During the summer, it's best to avoid straightening, blow-drying, hairdrying, gels, and hairsprays. Your hair will thank you for this stress-relieving break.

• Summer is the perfect time to refresh your hairstyle. If you're not looking for a radical transformation, a simple trim of the ends will give your hair a new lease of life.

• Is the summer heat making your hair extra dry and frizzy? There are several simple ways to protect your hair from frizz and reduce sweating, such as tying it in a ponytail, braids, a knot, or a bun.

• Even if you follow all my recommendations and suggestions to the letter for protecting your hair during the summer, if you don't drink enough water, the results could be disappointing. Your hair and skin will benefit enormously from the amount of water and other fluids you consume. And don't forget to add as many fruits and vegetables as possible to your summer diet. Your hair will thank you immensely.
  

I Two must-have products for summer

My Luc Vincent hair care line offers you solutions to quickly and easily achieve at home what can cost you hundreds of dollars annually at your hair salon. To achieve this, I called upon Quebec chemists to concoct high-quality products that meet Health Canada standards, are fragrance-free, not tested on animals, and made entirely in Quebec.

4 Nature: Ultra-gentle VEGAN shampoo

This is an ideal product for the summer season , especially for those with oily hair or perspiration problems, who have a sensitive scalp and who have to wash their hair daily.

Whether after a workout, work, or a swim, 4 Nature is an ultra-gentle product that will preserve your hair's natural appearance. Free from sulfates, silicones, and parabens, it leaves your hair feeling fresh thanks to its subtle fragrance. Ideal for color-treated hair, 4 Nature Day Shampoo prevents hair color from fading .

Sudoblok

Some have dubbed Sudoblok the “miraculous” antiperspirant cream.

And here's why. This cream was developed for scalp sweating problems, but it can also be used on any part of the body prone to bothersome sweating or high sebum production. Unique on the hair care market, Sudoblok is not only practical but also economical, as a very small amount is enough to cover a large area.

People who experience sweating problems due to menopause symptoms or when practicing light sports constantly sing its praises. But that's not all; Sudoblok can also be effective as a makeup base.

In fact, many artists (some of whom are bald) use it to avoid sweating in the spotlight. This is also why makeup artists love it for wedding makeup.

100% made in Quebec, Sudoblok is oil-free and fragrance-free, does not alter color and significantly reduces sebum production.