How to Protect Hair from Sun Damage: A Salon-Tested Guide for Colour-Treated Hair
- Margaux Salon
- Oct 9
- 9 min read
Did you know that research has shown excessive sun exposure is the most damaging factor to the structure of our hair?
Most of us are pretty good at slathering on SPF to protect our skin, but here's the thing: our hair needs that same love and attention. Those long summer days outdoors can quietly steal away your hair's strength, shift your carefully chosen colour, and leave your strands feeling dull and parched. This hits especially hard if you've got colour-treated hair, where the sun can play some pretty unexpected tricks with your shade.
Think about how curtains slowly fade when they're constantly hit by sunlight... that's exactly what's happening to your hair with everyday sun exposure, even when you're just sitting by a window! The sun basically acts like a harsh styling tool, scorching your strands and leaving them feeling dry and fragile. If you're rocking bold colours or those gorgeous pastel hues, you'll find that UV rays, chlorine, and salt water can be particularly brutal on your beautiful locks.
Here's something that might surprise you: between 65% and 95% of our hair is made up of a protein called keratin, and UVB solar radiation can really mess with its structure. But don't worry! We've pulled together the best salon-tested tips and products that actually work to keep your hair safe from sun damage.
We're going to walk you through everything you need to know about protecting your hair from UV damage. From understanding exactly what the sun does to coloured hair, to the most effective products and techniques that'll keep your hair looking vibrant and healthy all summer long, and beyond.
Table of Contents
How the Sun Damages Colour-Treated Hair
UV rays and the hair cuticle
Your hair faces a double threat from the sun as both UVA and UVB radiation work together to cause different types of damage. UVB radiation mainly hits the outer 5 μm of your hair, whilst UVA rays go deeper, reaching right into the cortex where your hair colour molecules live. Your hair's cuticle, those 5-10 overlapping protective layers, tries its best to defend your strands. But here's what's really eye-opening: when scientists look at sun-exposed hair under a microscope, they find peeling cuticle edges and loads of tiny holes between the layers. We're talking about 221 holes per square millimetre compared to absolutely zero in hair that's been protected.
Protein loss and internal damage
Each time your hair gets hit by continuous sun exposure, it's actually breaking down the protein structure from the inside out. UVB radiation (those 254-400 nm wavelengths) goes to work on keratin. Remember, that's the essential protein that makes up most of your hair. What happens next isn't pretty: UV rays start oxidising the carbon skeleton of your hair peptides, creating these harmful crosslinked structures. The end result? Those gorgeous, smooth, strong strands you started with become brittle, dry, and ready to snap at the slightest provocation.
Does the sun make your hair lighter?
Absolutely, yes! The sun can definitely lighten your hair. UV rays break down melanin, that's the natural pigment responsible for your hair colour. When melanin starts to degrade, your hair naturally appears lighter, which is basically the same process as bleaching. Blonde hair tends to show this lightening effect more dramatically because it already has less melanin to begin with, but every hair colour goes through this change. The catch? This "natural highlighting" comes with a hefty price tag of dryness and damage.
Why dyed hair fades faster
If you've got colour-treated hair, sun damage can feel particularly heartbreaking. Your beautiful colour fades much faster because UV rays basically act as tiny catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions with all those deposited colour molecules. Sun exposure also makes your hair more porous, creating little gaps that let your colour molecules slip away far too easily. UVA radiation goes straight for your colour molecules, whilst UVB radiation continues weakening your hair's overall structure. Red shades tend to disappear fastest because their molecules are smaller, but honestly, all colours eventually start shifting towards those unwanted brassy, uneven tones when they've had too much sun.
Best UV Hair Protection Products to Use
Best UV Hair Protection Products to Use
Just like we wouldn't step outside without SPF for our skin, our hair deserves that same level of care, especially when you've invested time and money in getting it coloured. The right sun protection products can be a real game-changer for keeping your hair healthy and vibrant through those sunny months.
UV hair protection spray vs. leave-in conditioner
You've got two solid options when it comes to UV protection. Hair protection sprays are brilliant because they're super lightweight. You won't even feel them in your hair, and you can reapply them whenever you need to throughout the day. Some give you up to 16 hours of protection and stay put even if you fancy a dip in the pool, which makes them perfect for beach holidays.
Leave-in conditioners work differently: they're your best mate if your hair tends to be dry or damaged because they give you that extra hydration boost whilst protecting from UV damage. These are fantastic for smoothing down your cuticles and keeping frizz at bay whilst shielding you from environmental nasties.
What to look for in a UV hair protector
When you're shopping for UV protection, you want to look for products that offer broad spectrum UVA/UVB filters. Nobody wants their hair feeling heavy or greasy, so stick with lightweight formulas that won't flatten your style. Make sure you're buying something that's actually designed for hair and scalp protection rather than just general hair care products.
If you're planning to swim, water-resistant formulas are non-negotiable: they'll keep working even after you've been splashing about.
Can you use skin SPF on hair?
Technically, yes, but it's not the best idea. Regular sunscreen tends to be way too heavy for your hair, leaving it looking greasy and sometimes giving you that telltale white cast. Hair-specific UV protectants are designed to work invisibly, so your hair still looks and feels natural.
That said, if you've got exposed scalp areas like your parting, regular sunscreen can actually be quite helpful there.
Top ingredients for sun protection hair care
Here are the ingredients that really deliver when it comes to UV protection:
Benzophenone 4: This is a proper workhorse, it soaks up those harmful rays
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate: Gives you that broad spectrum protection you need
Natural oils like coconut, argan and jojoba: They hydrate your hair whilst offering some protection
Vitamin E and Green Tea extracts: These antioxidants help repair existing damage whilst protecting against more
Plant extracts such as French Oak Extract: Nature's own UV filter
Salon-Tested Tips to Prevent Sun Damage
Salon-Tested Tips to Prevent Sun Damage
Products are brilliant, but professional stylists swear by these tried-and-true methods that go beyond just what you put on your hair. These simple habits can make all the difference for your colour-treated locks.
Cover hair with hats or scarves
Nothing beats good old-fashioned physical protection. Wide-brimmed straw hats are your best friend here. They look fab and do the job properly. If you want to go the extra mile, hunt for hats with UPF ratings or tightly woven fabrics that really mean business. Silk scarves are another lovely option that wraps your hair in elegance while creating a proper barrier against those harsh rays.
Rinse hair before and after swimming
Here's a clever trick that works wonders: your hair soaks up water like a sponge, so if you wet it with clean water first, there's less room for chlorinated or salty water to get in. Make it a habit to give your hair a good rinse straight after your swim too: this washes away any nasty chemicals before they can settle in and cause real trouble.
Avoid heat styling on sunny days
Your hair's already getting plenty of heat from the sun, so why pile on more? Hot tools just add insult to injury when your strands are already dealing with UV stress. Summer's the perfect time to try some lovely heat-free styles. Your hair will thank you for the break.
Use deep conditioning masks weekly
Weekly mask sessions are like giving your hair a proper drink after it's been parched by the sun. Hunt for masks packed with sunflower polyphenols, orange peel wax, or hydrolyzed elastin: these ingredients actually get to work repairing and strengthening what the sun has damaged.
Switch to colour safe, sulphate free shampoo
Sulphates might clean well, but they're a bit too keen, stripping away your hair's natural oils along with your precious colour. Sulphate-free options are much gentler, keeping your colour looking fresh while still getting your hair properly clean. It's one of those small swaps that makes a big difference.
How to Repair Sun-Damaged Hair
How to Repair Sun-Damaged Hair
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, our hair still gets a bit of a beating from all that sunshine. The good news? You can definitely nurse those strands back to health with the right approach.
Signs of UV-damaged hair
Catching sun damage early means you can jump in with the right treatments before things get worse. Keep an eye out for dryness and brittleness, colour that's started to fade, split ends popping up more often, and that dull, lifeless look. You might also notice your hair feels rougher to touch, gets tangled way too easily, and has that stubborn frizz that just won't behave. After a day at the pool or beach, your hair might even feel crunchy or straw-like.
Hydration and protein treatments
Getting moisture back into your hair is job number one. Weekly after-sun masks are brilliant for giving your hair that much-needed drink. You'll also want to mix in some protein treatments to help rebuild those broken bonds inside each strand. Look for products with keratin, collagen, or creatine, they're fantastic for getting your hair's strength back. Just don't go overboard with the protein treatments, as too much can actually make your hair more brittle.
Trimming split ends and breakage
Here's the truth nobody wants to hear: once your ends are split, there's no magic potion that'll fix them. Regular trims every 6 to 8 weeks stop the damage from creeping up your hair shaft. Even taking off just a tiny bit can make your whole style look fresher and help healthier hair grow through.
Rebalancing colour with toning products
Toners are absolute lifesavers when your colour's gone a bit wonky, whether it's looking brassy, uneven, or just generally off. These gentle formulas add pigment back without causing any extra damage. Purple shampoos and conditioners with milk proteins or fruit extracts are particularly good at zapping unwanted yellow tones whilst keeping your colour looking vibrant for longer.
Conclusion
Taking care of your colour-treated hair in the sun doesn't have to be complicated, it just needs to become part of your routine, much like reaching for your favourite moisturiser each morning.
What we've discovered is that once you understand what's actually happening to your hair when those UV rays hit, making smart choices becomes so much easier. Yes, the sun can be pretty harsh on our strands, gradually breaking down those proteins and stealing away the colour you love. But armed with the right knowledge and tools, you can enjoy every sunny moment without worrying about your hair paying the price.
The good news? You've now got plenty of brilliant options at your fingertips. Whether it's a quality UV protection spray, a nourishing leave-in treatment, or simply popping on a stylish hat, these small steps create a proper shield for your locks. And those professional tricks, like giving your hair a quick rinse before diving into the pool, they really do make all the difference.
Here's what I always tell my friends: it's so much easier to prevent damage than to fix it later. But if your hair has already had a rough time with the sun, please don't panic. With some gentle care, regular trims, and the right products, you can get your hair feeling lovely again.
The bottom line is this: your hair deserves the same attention you give your skin when it comes to sun protection. It's such a simple thing, but it means your colour stays vibrant longer and your hair stays healthier and stronger all year round. Start protecting your hair today, and you'll be able to enjoy every bit of sunshine that comes your way... with gorgeous hair to match.
Key Takeaways
Protecting colour-treated hair from sun damage requires the same diligence as protecting your skin, as UV rays can cause significant structural damage and accelerated colour fading.
• UV rays penetrate hair cuticles causing protein loss and creating up to 221 holes per square millimetre in sun-exposed hair compared to zero in protected hair.
• Use specialised UV hair protection sprays with broad-spectrum philtres rather than skin SPF, which can weigh hair down and leave residue.
• Physical protection through wide-brimmed hats and pre-swim hair saturation with clean water provides the most effective defence against sun damage.
• Weekly deep conditioning masks and sulphate-free shampoos help maintain colour vibrancy and repair moisture lost through UV exposure.
• Prevention works better than repair. Once split ends occur, they cannot be truly mended and require trimming every 6-8 weeks.
Remember that sun damage accumulates gradually, so consistent protection throughout the year ensures your colour investment lasts longer whilst maintaining healthier, stronger hair regardless of sun exposure.
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