SUNSCREEN YOUR HAIR | PROTECTION AGAINST ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT DAMAGE
rays photo-oxidize the outer protective cuticle layer, damaging the overlapping keratin plate structure and drying out the lipids - the natural oils that coat hair strands - resulting in a rough, dry surface. Meanwhile, the UVA wavelengths penetrate deep into the cortex fibers, damaging the elasticity and strength of hair. Overall, exposure to sun causes hair to lose it suppleness and shine, taking on a rough, dry texture and becoming susceptible to breakage. The reaction between the melanin content of hair, which gives it color, and sun also causes bleaching. All of these signs of damage are magnified when hair has already been stressed by processing, including perms and color dyeing.
OVERALL, EXPOSURE TO SUN CAUSES HAIR TO LOSE IT SUPPLENESS AND SHINE The obvious - and most effective - solution to this problem is to keep hair covered during sunny days by wearing a broad-brimmed hat, covering the head with a scarf or using a sun parasol. In fact, since approximately 80% of UV radiation is able to penetrate cloud cover, hair (and skin, for that matter) isn’t safe from sun damage even on overcast days. Obviously, this isn’t a very appealing solution for most people. Is there a way to go bare-headed and still provide some protection for hair from the ravages of UV radiation?
Some advisors on hair care argue that it isn’t possible to provide an effective sunscreen for hair. Any hair treatment that can be applied to hair in a rinse or shampoo, they argue, can be too easily washed out again, leaving the hair unprotected. Actually, this isn’t entirely accurate. There are several ways that sun damage can be corrected, to restore hair to its pre-sun exposure strength and beauty, as well as preventing some of the damage from occurring in the first place. These approaches can be divided into three categories:
1. PREVENTION If you plan to spend a lot of time in the sun and don’t want to wear a Little House on the Prairie bonnet, go easy on hair coloring and processing. Avoid using hair products that contain peroxide or that are heavy on alcohol; these chemicals react when exposed to sunlight, magnifying damage. If swimming in a pool with chlorinated water, make sure to thoroughly rinse hair to minimize a reaction with the sun.
THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS THAT SUN DAMAGE CAN BE CORRECTED
AVOID USING HAIR PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN PEROXIDE OR THAT ARE HEAVY ON ALCOHOL JUL | AUG 2014
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