The best hair SPF should contain levels of UVA and UVB ray protection because both types of sunlight can potentially damage your locks during long-term exposure. Hair SPF, or sunscreen, is a product that is primarily used to help to prevent color fading and damage from occurring within your strands. It comes in the form of leave-in conditioning sprays or creams, and the version you choose ultimately depends on the current state of your strands as well as your preference. It is also important that you choose a product that is specifically designed for color-treated hair, whether you have all-over color or a few highlights.
Sunscreens that are designed for the skin usually provide both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) protection. A quality hair sunscreen should also offer the same protection because both types of sun rays have the potential to damage locks in different ways. UVA rays have the propensity to damage the cuticle and even potentially lead to hair loss over the course of several years. UVB ray exposure is often responsible for disrupting natural hair color, as well as chemical pigments that are applied at a professional salon.
Hair SPF products generally come in the form of conditioning tools because they help to hydrate the cuticle while preventing damage from sun exposure. The most common form of hair sunscreen is a leave-in spray that you can apply to either dry or wet locks prior to going outside. This is the easiest type of hair SPF to use, and you can even reapply the product as needed. If you have dry and coarse hair, you might consider applying a cream version of sunscreen in order to add extra moisture. Sunscreen creams are usually applied to damp hair after shampooing, and they tend to offer longer-lasting protection than spray versions.
Color-treated hair requires the use of specific products in order to maintain the pigments in your locks. Certain types of hair SPF products are intended for color-treated strands, which is a benefit that should be easy to find on the label of a particular brand of sunscreen in question. It is important to note that, although regular hair sunscreen protects your natural color, you will need products that specifically offer protection for professionally-treated locks. You should also use protective shampoos and conditioners if you plan on being outside frequently.
