How to Treat and Prevent Sun-Damaged Hair, According to Experts

Fact checked by Anna HarrisReviewed by Sophia Emmanuel

As we move into the warmer months, it’s important to keep some summer-specific health habits on our radar. While we’re all familiar with how essential it is to protect our skin from sun damage, it's easy to overlook the importance of protecting against sun-damaged hair.

“The sun’s rays act very much like bleach on hair,” points out dermatologist Wilma Bergfeld. “The good news is that you can take precautions to protect your hair from the summer sun.” We spoke to Bergfield and dermatologist Dr. Cynthia Bailey about how to prevent—and heal—sun-damaged hair with just a few simple tips.

Meet the Experts

• Dr. Wilma Bergfeld is a dermatologist practicing in Cleveland, Ohio.

• Dr. Cynthia Bailey is board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Dr. Bailey Skin Care.

How to Prevent Sun Damage to Your Hair

Avoid Chemicals

As Bergfeld notes, “Chlorinated water in swimming pools or lightening your hair can make it more vulnerable to the summer stresses of heat and sun.” Try to keep lightening treatments to a minimum, and rinse hair immediately after swimming in a chlorinated pool.

Sachajuan's brilliant Hair in the Sun cream ($37) acts as sunscreen for your hair—it also makes for a great styling cream. If you prefer spray to cream, Rita Hazan's Protective Spray ($18) blocks UV rays and humidity.

Related: How to Protect Your Hair From Chlorine When You're Swimming

Eat the Right Foods

As Bailey explains, healthy skin and hair starts from the inside. "You can gain even more dietary support for healthy skin when you eat nutrient dense produce." She specifically suggests "polyphenol antioxidant-rich foods including berries, green tea (don’t boil it!), dried beans (especially darkly colored beans) and high cacao chocolate."

Accessorize Smart

If you’ve been thinking of refreshing your wardrobe with the latest hat trends, now’s the time. Wearing a hat (especially one with a broader brim) can be invaluable for defending against sun-damaged hair and is also one of the best ways to defend your scalp.

David Mallett, founder of his eponymous haircare brand, notes, “The best preventative care you can take here is wearing a hat or headscarf and sitting under an umbrella when you’re not swimming.” He advises being smart with your hairstyles, saying, “While it isn’t direct sun damage, summertime usually means outdoor workouts and beach visits where wet hair gets tied up and potentially tangled. Try to not use tight elastics, which can damage hair follicles, and avoid tight topknots, which put pressure on the hairline. Use a softer style like a low ponytail or braid, or twist the hair and secure with a pin. Try to also avoid fine-tooth combs on wet hair. Attempt to comb hair with your fingers first and employ the use of a hair serum to help detangle knots.”

Use the Right Conditioner or Serum for Your Hair

A serum or conditioner can help protect your hair from the elements. Just as all skin tones are vulnerable to sun damage, so are all types of hair: “Finer, lighter hair lacks the thickness or pigment that can protect it from the sun’s rays,” says Bergfeld. “Use a hair conditioner appropriate to your hair color and type, as well as the climate.”

Ouai Repair Shampoo and Conditioner ($36) are formulated especially for hair prone to breakage. Or try a hair serum like David Mallett Hair Serum ($60) to gently detangle hair after showering.

How to Fix Sun-Damaged Hair

Try a DIY Hot Oil Treatment

One way to potentially restore your hair’s natural moisture is with a hot oil treatment. While most salons offer the service, you can also create a hot oil treatment at home for a fraction of the cost. Begin by mixing three capsules of vitamin E with a half-cup of olive oil, and then warm this mixture in the microwave for five to 10 seconds. You want the mixture to be warm but not hot. Massage your hair and scalp, and then allow the oil to soak for 15 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

If you prefer a store-bought treatment, add on a nourishing treatment post-wash that can be left in to repair damage. We like L'Oréal Paris Extraordinary Oil Transforming Oil-in-Cream ($7).

Use a Restorative Hair Mask

As Bergfield points out, sun “damages the hair’s cuticle and protein, which is called keratin.” To reverse the damage, one of your best bets might be a protein-rich hair mask.

Revitalize dry strands with David Mallett's Mask No.1 L'Hydration ($75), which contains vegetable protein meant to strengthen hair.

Use a hair mask like Davines Su Aftersun Replenishing Mask ($34) after sun exposure to repair damaged hair.

Get a Trim

While cutting your locks might not be plan A, trimming the ends of sun-damaged hair might be one of the best ways to keep strands healthy and stimulate growth. Aim to get a cut every three months or more if your hair is in recovery mode. By acting as soon as you see split ends or experience dryness, you may prevent further damage down the line.

Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, and Coola's Organic Scalp & Hair Mist ($23) provides SPF 30 protection to both.

Keratin and vitamin B5 make a spray like Sans [Ceuticals] Moisture + Protein Infusion ($50), an easy way to nourish hair daily.

Related: Sulfates Have a Bad Reputation—But Is it Deserved? We Asked Experts

Read the original article on Byrdie.