Science Says…

4 Proven Ways to Protect Color-Treated Hair from UV Damage

When the weather starts to warm up, everyone’s minds turn to visions of summer and swimming pools. This is supposed to be the time of year when you can finally relax and get outdoors, but you must also consider the risk of UV damage from sunlight.

This is especially true if you have color-treated hair. Whether you get balayage highlights, an all-over color, or something in between, color-treated hair is especially susceptible to UV damage. You’ll need to invest a bit more time in your haircare routine whenever you’re planning fun in the sun.

In recent years, quite a few studies have been done on how to protect color-treated hair from harmful UV rays. Today, we’re covering the most effective—and scientifically proven—tips to help your hair color last.

 

1. The best defense is a quality shampoo and conditioner.

UV rays react with your hair the same way bleaching your hair does. UVB rays oxidize your hair color’s pigment, which is why hair color fades in the sun. Prolonged exposure to the sun can also cause split ends, breakage, and reduced shine in your hair. 

The best protection actually starts in your shower, long before you head outdoors. Shampoos and conditioners that protect against UV damage can also nourish and restore smoothness to hair that’s already been damaged. 

According to recent studies, nourishing, restoring, and protecting your hair with strategic shampoo and conditioner is the best way to prevent long-term damage and protect color-treated hair.

2. Get your hair wet before you swim.

You’re most likely familiar with the term “swimmer’s hair.” It refers to that rough, uncombable state your hair gets into when you’ve been swimming recently. Whether you swim in salt water or a chlorine-treated pool, your hair is subject to UV damage while you’re in the water outdoors. 

Research has found that ongoing exposure to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays damage the structure of your hair, which leads to fading, frizz, and breakage. Interestingly, this damage can be amplified if your hair is saturated with chlorine- or salt-treated water. 

The solution is to get your hair wet in the shower before you swim. Saturating each and every hair with chemical-free potable water prevents chlorine and salt from soaking into your strands. Since the chlorine and salt can’t absorb, the UV rays don’t cause additional hair damage. 

It’s a simple solution to a complicated problem! Just get your hair wet in the sink or shower before you swim. It doesn’t have to be dripping wet, either—feel free to towel dry and then dive in.

3. Styling products can shield your strands.

If shampoo and conditioner are the solid foundation you need to protect color-treated hair, your styling products are the walls and roof.

Advances in technology have made it possible for brands to build UV protection into certain styling products. Today’s modern choices don’t reek of artificial coconut, either. The protective ingredients are blended seamlessly into serums, hairsprays, mousses, and more.

Data shows that styling your hair with UV-protective products adds a clear reflective layer of protection to every strand of hair, helping to fight breakage, frizz, tangles, and color fading.

Every member of our team is able to recommend products based on your unique hair type, so just stop by the salon if you need help shopping.

4. Consider adding accessories to your arsenal.

No matter what season it is, a hat or hair accessory adds polish to your personal style while protecting your hair from UV damage.

While any kind of head coverage is better than none, studies show you’ll get the most benefit from a tightly woven fabric. Also keep in mind that darker or richer colors are proven to absorb more heat and UV rays, while lighter colors and pastels reflect them away.

Basically, a very dark brown sun hat made from woven straw won’t offer nearly the same UV protection as a beige baseball cap.

As a rule of thumb, hold your hat or accessory in front of a light source. If you can see a lot of light through the material, it probably won’t protect color-treated hair.

man runs hands through hair
man runs hands through hair

4. Consider adding accessories to your arsenal.

No matter what season it is, a hat or hair accessory adds polish to your personal style while protecting your hair from UV damage.

While any kind of head coverage is better than none, studies show you’ll get the most benefit from a tightly woven fabric. Also keep in mind that darker or richer colors are proven to absorb more heat and UV rays, while lighter colors and pastels reflect them away.

Basically, a very dark brown sun hat made from woven straw won’t offer nearly the same UV protection as a beige baseball cap.

As a rule of thumb, hold your hat or accessory in front of a light source. If you can see a lot of light through the material, it probably won’t protect color-treated hair.

4. Prepare for several different scenarios.

While all of our vacation tips for alternative hair are important, pay special attention to this one. When you’re on vacation, anything can happen. How many times have you done something on a trip that you’d never expected? For us, it’s pretty common. 

So don’t overstuff your suitcase, but do be strategic about the tools you pack. It’d be so disheartening to have the excitement of your trip overshadowed by forgetting a crucial accessory.

UV Rays Are More Common Than You Might Think.

The most important thing to keep in mind is how prevalent UV rays are. 

In fact, recent studies have found that on certain cloudy days, you’re more at-risk for sun damage than sunny days. It’s easy to think that you only need to be cautious on the hottest and brightest days of the year, but that just isn’t accurate to reality. 

We like to say when in doubt, don’t go without! There’s no harm in being cautious, especially when you’re trying to protect color-treated hair. Many daily styling products now include UV protection, and hats are back in a big way.

No sweat if you’ve already suffered some sun damage. Our signature Dry Cut is the perfect way to remove damage and breathe new life into your style. We’ll also recommend styling products to prevent UV damage down the road.