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How to protect hair from sun and UV damage: An essential guide

When the sun shines, it’s natural to want to step outside and bask in the warmth. But while you’re lounging by the pool and sipping iced tea, you might not be aware of the havoc UV rays wreak on your hair and scalp, causing 4x more damage than heat styling. Read on for all the hair sun protection tips you need, so you can soak up those rays worry-free.

07 April '26

min read

Why does hair need sun protection?

Hair is made up of proteins, and prolonged exposure to UV rays can break down those proteins, leading to weakened strands. Without protection, UV rays can cause dryness, brittleness and even color fading. Protecting your locks from the sun is essential for maintaining hair’s health, smoothness and shine.

What is ‘Hair Protection Factor’ (aka, HPF)?

Hair Protection Factor, or HPF, is a measure of how well a product protects your hair from internal UV damage. Simple.

UV protection for hair: Our 3 top tips

1

Use sun protection hair products

UV protection for hair begins in the shower – so, choosing the right shampoo and conditioner is key.

Start by lathering up with Dove UV Repair & Glow Shampoo. Formulated with Bio-Protein Care and antioxidants, it provides UV protection for hair*, while gently cleansing and hydrating it. Follow this up with Dove UV Repair & Glow Conditioner, a rich, pH-balanced formula which locks in moisture, helps repair existing UV damage, and gives your tresses 10x more shine**.
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2

Reintroduce moisture

The sun is drying, and strands that are dehydrated tend to be brittle and more prone to breakage. UV protection hair products designed to boost moisture levels are essential, especially following sun exposure.

If you already have sun-stressed hair in desperate need of hydration, our Dove UV Repair & Glow Radical Recovery Hair Mask transforms the look and feel of thirsty, brittle locks. Our creamy, coconut-scented formula blends fortifying protein with plant oils, providing 99% recovery from accumulated UV damage over time***.
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3

Style strategically

If you color, heat-style, brush regularly and sit in the sun whenever possible, your strands will likely need a time out. Not an option? Our Dove UV Repair & Glow Bi-Phase Serum + Oil can help.

This 70HPF UV hair protection Bi-Phase Oil Spray combines the refreshing texture of a mist with the nourishment of an oil, melting into strands for softer, shinier hair, while providing 70-hour sun protection*. Shake the bottle well to blend the serum and oil phases, then spray evenly on damp or dry hair.

Looking for more than hair sun protection advice? Explore more hair care articles for all the tips and products you need.

*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

***From internal UV damage, with repeated use.
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