How to Protect Hair From Sun Damage

During the warm months of late spring and summer there are two places you will find me: at the pool or at the beach. My hair dries out quickly and is very susceptible to sun damage. It doesn't take long for my color to fade and hair to get weak and begin to break into split ends. Ocean air and water sucks more moisture from my hair. If I'm not careful to use hair care products that help avoid sun damage my hair will soon look like I've styled it by sticking my finger in an electric socket.

Sun damaged hair does not complement a tan. Sun damage also takes a long time to grow out. Unless you want to deal with dry, tangled, bleached out hair it pays to find ways to protect your hair from sun damage.

Use leave-in conditioners like Garnier® Fructis™ Leave in Conditioning Cream.

I like to use Garnier® Fructis™ leave in conditioner after my battles with the sun, salt, and wind. Leave-in conditioner strengthens and moisturizes my hair, helping prevent sun damaged breakage and excessive dryness.

Redken ® UV Rescue ™ shampoo and conditioner formulated to repair sun damage.

The minute I come in from the beach or pool I shampoo and condition my hair with products designed to minimize sun damage. Last summer, I was pleased to discover Redken's® UV Rescue ™ after sun shampoo and conditioner. UV Rescue and sun damage hair care products help repair UV damage and help reconstruct hairs structure to smooth and moisturize sun baked hair.

VO5® Hot Oil Treatment easily deep conditions sun damaged hair.

VO5 Hot Oil treatment has been around for a long time, and there is a good reason for it. The simple hot oil treatment revitalizes and replenishes hair moisture. It's easy to use. Warm the oil and apply it to clean, damp hair. For best results wrap your hair in a towel to help retain heat. This treatment may only be necessary once during the summer, but if you are at the beach, where sun, sand, and salt are as challenging as chlorine you may need to apply a hot oil treatment up to once a month to maintain smooth, supple hair.

Comb through conditioners.

Use a wide-toothed comb when your hair is damp to comb through leave-in conditioners and after sun conditioners. Brushing and tugging at sun damage hair leads to breakage and more split ends. Comb your hair gently; making sure conditioner reaches the ends where your hair needs conditioning and repair.

Use hair sealants or shines.

Once your sun damaged hair has been treated and styled protect it by sealing the cuticle with a hair shine or sealant product. These are some of the same products used to manage frizzy hair and leave your hair with a healthy sheen. John Frieda® Frizz Ease™ is among the best anti-frizz sealants I have found to stand up to the wind and weather of the ocean-side climate when my hair is styled, and I'm not in the water or sun. It fights humidity to keep frizzy hair tame and help sun damaged hair continue the recovery process.