Does sun damage hair? Understanding UV hair damage and how to restore shine

How  does UV damage hair?

Overexposure to UV rays can break down and weaken the delicate proteins your hair is made of and lifts the outside cuticle layer, leading to dryness, brittleness and tresses that don’t look their beautiful best. This can make your hair more vulnerable to daily damage from combing and brushing, too.

 

UV hair damage vs. heat styling damage: What’s the difference?

UV damage affects both the inner and outer layers of the hair, leading to dryness, dullness, color fading, and structural protein breakdown. Heat‑styling damage can also break down proteins through high temperatures, but UV exposure can cause significantly greater damage (up to 4X more) than the same amount of heat styling.

 

What does sun damaged hair look like?

Sun-damaged hair often appears dull, dry and lacking in shine. You might also notice more frizz, split ends and rough, brittle strands.

 

What are the big risks of UV hair damage?

The biggest risk is the weakening of your hair’s structure, which over time can lead to breakage and hair loss. Prolonged sun exposure can also lead to color fading, whether you have natural or dyed hair.

 

What is ‘oxidative damage’ in hair?

This is when there’s an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants, which can cause stress and damage to the hair, leading to dryness, lack of shine, breakage and color-fade. Everything from sun exposure to heat styling and pollution can cause oxidative damage.

 

How can I help protect my hair from UV and sun damage?

Wearing a hat provides physical protection when you’re outdoors. You can also add hair care products with sun protection to your daily routine. Using UV protection hair products for damage not only helps defend your hair from the sun but also works to repair existing damage.

Enter our pH-balanced Dove UV Repair & Glow Shampoo and Conditioner, formulated with Bio-Protein Care and antioxidants for the ultimate sun protection for hair.

Our shampoo with sun protection helps repair 99% of existing UV damage*, strengthens brittle strands, restores natural shine, and leaves hair hydrated, fresher and stronger. Our rich conditioner, meanwhile, helps repair existing UV damage, gives locks 10x more shine**, and provides tresses with daily UV protection**, locking in moisture and sealing the cuticle to reduce brittleness and breakage.

Want more UV protection for hair? Discover our Dove UV Repair & Glow collection.

*Internal damage, with repeated system use.

**instrumental results, difference in shine of non-conditioning shampoo + Dove UV Repair Glow & Bi-Phase Spray compared to non-conditioning shampoo vs. untreated hair