Sun protection for hair

Sun protection: Your hair needs it too!

Sun protection: Your hair needs it more than you think — and not just during the warm season. Hair is exposed to the sun’s UV rays all year round. Here you’ll find out why you shouldn’t skip the right sun protection product, which ones we especially recommend, and what you should pay attention to when buying them!

Why does hair need sun protection?

Hair needs more protection than we realize. Sunlight damages the hair all year round. The UV rays from the sun penetrate deep into the inner structure of the hair, where they attack the color pigments. You can actually see this in the fading of your hair — that’s why our hair becomes lighter in summer and the hair color fades. However, these pigments have a protective function, which is lost when they are damaged by UV radiation. The result:

• Damaged hair fibers
• Structural damage
• Brittle, straw-like and dull hair
• Dry hair
• Fading hair color
• Loss of resilience
• Split ends (See our blog “What can you do against split ends?”)

Loss of moisture What makes sun protection for hair different from products for the skin?

Just like sun protection for the skin, sun protection for hair is equipped with UV filters that protect against UV-A and UV-B rays. The difference is that mineral filters are not used in hair sun protection, as they would make the hair look dull. Sun protection products for hair also contain ingredients that provide smoothness, shine, moisture, and soothe the hair fibers.

How can I protect my scalp?

It’s not just the hair that suffers from sun exposure, but also the scalp. This doesn’t only affect people with bald spots — anyone with a parting is also at risk of getting sunburn on the scalp. The best protection is to wear a nice scarf or a hat. By the way, if you’ve been exposed to too much sun, you should definitely take a look at our guide “Sunburn: What to do?”.

Hair Sun Protection: Product Selection at BellAffair

What comes to mind when you hear the word sun protection — hair or skin? Especially when we’re young, we rarely think about sun protection, neither for the skin and even less for the hair. But if you value beautiful and well-cared-for hair, sun protection for your hair is an absolute must! Choose high-quality sun protection — your hair urgently needs it. Here we present our favorite sun protection products for hair, exclusive salon-brand items, and the perfect sun care to shield your hair from UV rays.

BellAffair Pro Tip: The right sun protection for your hair also depends on the right hair care routine! The ideal hair sun protection routine consists of a combination of shampoo, conditioner and/or mask, and a sun protection spray or cream.

• Sun protection shampoos gently remove buildup, dirt, chlorine, water, and salt.
• Conditioners and hair masks soothe and nourish.
• Finally, don’t forget a sun protection spray or cream — they provide active UV protection.

The Best Sun Protection for Your Hair: Our Favorites

Sun protection – hair that can withstand any weather? With our exclusive selection, it’s no problem!

Leave-in care with sun protection

• Kérastase Soleil Crème UV Sublime is a leave-in sun care treatment that provides UV protection and nourishment when applied to towel-dried hair.
• Schwarzkopf BC Sun Protect 10-in-1 Summer Fluid is a weightless hair cream with protective properties for smoothness, manageability, anti-breakage effect, and moisture. Simply apply it to lengths and ends throughout the day and enjoy full protection — even for fine hair!
• For visibly stressed ends, there’s Londa Visible Repair Leave-In End Balm. It nourishes with silk extract and helps prevent split ends.
• Paul Mitchell Sun Protective Dry Oil protects against sun damage. It can be applied to damp hair before blow-drying or to dry hair at any time.

Sun protection spray for hair

• Goldwell Dualsenses Sun Reflects UV Spray protects the hair with UV filters while providing moisture — the ideal protection for your hair in summer!
• Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil is a lightweight, vegan sun spray that protects against UVA and UVB rays for up to 16 hours with cinnamon bark oil and wintergreen. A leave-in care with sun protection for beautifully maintained summer hair — healthy hair with sun protection.
• Wella SP UV Protection Spray not only shields from UV rays but also provides deep hydration. Wella Sun Protection Spray with vitamins protects against sun-induced hair damage and soothes with panthenol. The sun protection spray features an ultra-light 2-phase formulation: phase 1 protects against the sun, and phase 2 releases the vitamin complex. Pro tip: Refresh sun protection sprays during the day, just like sunscreen. This is especially important after every dip in the water!

Shampoos with sun protection

In the evening, sun protection products should be rinsed out — after all, you wash off your sunscreen at night too. It’s no different with your hair. For this, we recommend one of our favorites:

• Goldwell Dualsenses Sun Reflects After-Sun Shampoo: The After-Sun Shampoo contains valuable panthenol that instantly soothes stressed hair. It removes chlorine, salt, and product residues while adding a shimmering shine that looks especially beautiful in the sunlight.

Hair Sun Protection: Natural Cosmetics

Do you prefer a natural approach? Then you should definitely go for Aveda. All Aveda products are 100% vegan and made primarily with natural ingredients. The Aveda Sun Care Hair and Body Cleanser is a balanced sun protection shampoo that can also be used for the body. It removes product residues, salt, and chlorine. In addition, the shampoo provides moisture — an absolute must after a long day at the beach.

• The Aveda sun protection shampoo is suitable for all hair types and nourishes with green tea, organic sunflower oil, vitamin E, and coconut oil. It has a light, tropical fragrance composed of neroli, ylang-ylang, and rockrose — a true sensory experience!

Sun protection for hair without silicones

Are you interested in sun protection for hair without silicones? These ingredients have received some criticism in recent years. However, they play an important role in hair care: they coat the hair, protecting it and providing smoothness and shine. When they are water-soluble, they are completely washed out during shampooing and do not prevent nutrients from penetrating the hair shaft. Especially when it comes to sun protection for hair, the ability to coat the hair can be a decisive advantage. “Good” — that is, water-soluble — silicones also protect the hair from split ends and dryness. And these are exactly the problems that can occur when there is insufficient sun protection.

Sun Protection for Hair by Wella

With Wella Sun, you can count on high-performance sun care. Both the Wella Sun Shampoo, the Conditioner, and the Wella Sun Protection Spray contain Vitamin E, which is known for its cell-stabilizing properties. This nourishes the hair and protects it from damage caused by UV rays.

Sun Protection for Hair by Schwarzkopf

Want to dive into summer with well-cared-for hair? Schwarzkopf’s BC Sun Protect line is the perfect sun care collection for your hair. These products are rich in Vitamin E and precious Monoi oil, which smooths and soothes the hair fiber. In addition, the Amino Cell Rebuild technology strengthens the inner structure of the hair fiber. And you can rely on 100% color protection for your dyed hair!

#blondehairdontcare? Definitely a no-go! Blonde hair requires extra care and becomes even more sensitive during the summer months. It needs even more moisture and protection since it tends to be dry, dull, and prone to breakage. That’s why our tip is to use a blonde shampoo in addition to your sun care line. It refreshes the blonde tone and gently cleanses. Schwarzkopf BlondME shampoos, for example, are suitable for all shades of blonde. They even rebuild new fiber bonds within the hair and give porous hair a silky smooth texture.

Sun Protection by Kérastase

With its beautiful name “Soleil,” Kérastase’s sun protection line brings a true holiday feeling to every use. The UV-Défense Active System protects sensitive (even color-treated) hair from UV rays. Ceramides rebuild and strengthen the hair from within, making it more resilient against free radicals.

With Vitamin E and macadamia oil, the hair is deeply nourished and left feeling soft and smooth. Plus, you’ll love the unique coconut scent in Kérastase’s sun protection products for hair!

Sun Care for the Hair

What should never be missing from your daily routine — and especially not in summer — is proper sun care for your hair. After washing your hair, you should always follow with a conditioner or, once a week, a mask. These after-sun products soothe the hair fiber and replenish moisture. 

After-Sun Conditioner 

• Wella SP After Sun Conditioner pampers the hair with an extra dose of moisture and makes it easier to comb. Pure sun care for the hair!
• Schwarzkopf BC Sun Protect 2-in-1 Treatment can be used both as an after-sun conditioner and as a mask (2 minutes as a conditioner, 10 minutes as a treatment). This formula restores balance to sun-stressed hair and helps repair it deeply.

After-Sun Mask

• Goldwell Dualsenses Sun Reflects 60s Treatment — a longtime insider tip among professionals. In just 60 seconds, this hair treatment provides deep regeneration for healthy, silky-smooth, and shiny hair. Plus, it already includes a built-in UV filter! 
• From the professionals at L’Oréal Professionnel Paris comes a wonderful after-sun mask that rebuilds hair after sun exposure: the L’Oréal Solar Sublime Mask. With aloe vera, it soothes and repairs the hair fiber, leaving it soft and smooth — and it includes integrated UV protection. 
• Paul Mitchell also offers the After Sun Nourishing Masque, which regenerates the hair for improved smoothness and balanced moisture, while protecting it from future damage with a UV filter.

How else can I protect my hair from the sun?

You can leave your hat on! Joe Cocker already sang about it — and we completely agree: keep that hat on. The ideal sun protection combines proper coverage with the right hair care. Especially around midday, you should protect your hair with a hat, cap, or bandana. Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., the sun is at its strongest and can cause even more damage to your hair and scalp. Without protection, there’s also a high risk of sunburn on the scalp.

The best products for hair sun-protection at great prices at BellAffair

Think sun protection. Hair that can withstand the sun’s rays is healthier, shinier and better-cared for. Don’t allow hair damage to happen in the first place—go for the best sun-protection products for the hair! At BellAffair you’ll find the best products for your hair with fast shipping and top customer service at attractive prices. Have questions? We’re happy to help!