We all know sun protection is a must for your skin. But did you know you also need sunscreen for hair? UV light can damage even the healthiest hair — and dyed or chemically treated hair can be especially vulnerable to drying and breakage from the sun.
We spoke to naturopathic doctor Dr. Tess Marshall, ND, Director of Product Science & Innovations at Nutrafol, about the basics of SPF for hair. “UV rays can be particularly damaging to the scalp in the same ways we know [they are] damaging to the skin,” Dr. Marshall says. “UV radiation can lead to a rise in oxidative stress, which can shorten the hair growth cycle and destroy key immune cells that surround the follicle.” This means that the side effects of UV damage on your hair include not only aesthetic and textural issues, but also skin damage on the scalp. In fact, part of hair’s evolutionary purpose is to protect us from sun damage, Dr. Marshall says. That’s why sunscreen for hair is even more important for people who are experiencing hair loss.