Entertainment Fashion & Style How to Protect Your Hair From the Sun Yes, hair needs sun protection too. Share PINTEREST Email Print yulkapopkova/Getty Images Fashion & Style Hair Accessories Tops & Sweaters Dresses Skirts Jeans Pants Outerwear Lingerie & Swimwear Do It Yourself Shoes Skincare Advice Makeup Fragrance Tattoos and Body Piercings Kids and Teens Bumps & Babies Learn More By Kendra Aarhus Contributing Writer Kendra is a cosmetologist and contributing writer for Byrdie with a speciality in hair. our editorial process Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Kendra Aarhus Updated March 24, 2019 We're all aware of the risks we face by exposing our skin to the sun's rays. While skin cancer isn't a concern for your hair, the sun can damage your hair with prolonged exposure. UVA and UVB rays have the power to damage the hair from the cuticle to the inner structure of the hair. Signs of sun damage to your hair can include: Faded hair colorDry, brittle hairBroken or split endsFrizzy hairWeakened and thinning hair Tips for Protecting Your Hair From the Sun If your plans include lots of fun in the sun, consider protecting your hair from the damage of UV rays with these tips. Wear a Hat The best way to protect your hair from the sun's rays is to block the exposure to the sun. Whether you decide to put on a baseball cap or don a wide-brimmed beauty, most hats provide 100% protection from the sun's rays. Of course, if portions of your hair hang out of the hat, you'll want to protect that in other ways. Use Products With SPFMany styling aids, leave-in conditioners, and hairsprays have an SPF right in them. The general consensus is to use an SPF of 10 to 15 in hair products with SPF 12 being a very popular choice for many hair product manufacturers. Make Your Own SPF Making UV protection for your hair is pretty easy too! Simply dilute 2 teaspoons of SPF 25 sunblock down with one cup of water. Using a spray bottle, spray the product into your damp hair before styling. For additional protection, you can mist the solution on throughout the day. Protecting Your Hair When You're Not in the Sun Half the battle of protecting your hair from the sun happens when you're not even in the sun! Clarify If you're using a UV protection in your hair, don't forget to use a clarifying shampoo once a week. SPF will build up on your hair shaft and a clarifying shampoo can remedy that. For lots of build up, try a super clarifying treatment. Protect Your Part Use full strength SPF directly on your scalp where you part your hair. The scalp's direct exposure to the sun in that manner can burn and peel. Hit your ears with the sunscreen as well!. Maintain Moisture Weekly deep conditioning treatments will help keep the damage by the sun at a minimum. Because the sun breaks down the hair's protein (keratin), it's important to use a deep conditioning treatment with protein or keratin. Avoid Certain Ingredients Check product labels and stay away from alcohol, peroxide, lemon juice, and "sun-activated hair lightening" products. These products will cause your hair to dry out faster and will speed the process of damage caused by the sun.