How to prevent your hair from sunburn

WHILE protecting your skin and eyes might be at the top of your list during the summer months, your hair is also at risk of becoming sunburnt.

Unbeknown to many people, the blazing sun rays damage your hair’s protein, melanin, cuticles, among others.

ALSO READ: 5 tips to protect your skin this summer

The protein in your hair is responsible for giving it its strength and shape, while the melanin gives hair its colour – over-exposure to high temperatures will result in weaker and duller looking hair.

Some hair types are more prone to sun damage than others.

These include:
•Finer, lighter hair and tightly coiled hair. These hair types lack the thickness and pigment to protect them from the sun’s UV rays
•Heat-damaged or styled hair. Constantly applying heat to your hair is never a good idea, irrespective of its strand, texture or length. The sun can easily penetrate hair that has very little or no protein – further damaging it
•During swimming season, too much chlorine and salt water can make your hair brittle and dry, causing it to become easily damaged by the sun’s searing rays

Steps to save your hair this summer:
•Buy hair sunscreen to create a protective barrier between your hair and the sun. Be sure to read the instructions to ensure you apply it correctly
•Wearing a hat or scarf on your head can be beneficial
•Sit in shady areas, under a tree or use an umbrella when outside
•While it is swimming season, where possible, try to keep your head above water (both chlorine and saltwater)
•Limit heat damage by opting to rock your natural hair

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