The solar hair effects

The sun’s rays aren't great for your skin, but what about your hair?

With the heat upon us in the Southern hemisphere, more of our days are being spent at the beach; and while the benefits of hitting the beach are well-documented, it can be another story for our hair...

The combination of saltwater and warmer temperatures can leave your mane looking and feeling parched but the biggest cause of hair damage during the summer is actually the UV rays from the sun.

Our hair shaft is made up of 80-90% protein, while the remaining is made up of moisture, and seeing as UV rays have the ability to break down protein, it comes as no surprise that summer can be a hard time for hair.

With exposure to the sun, UVA and UVB rays damage the outside cover of the hair strand, called the cuticle.

"Hair can be compared to a beautiful piece of fruit, having an outside 'skin' like the hair's cuticle to protect it.  Once the outside of either gets damaged, the inside loses its excellence"

says Kate Reid, editorial colourist and Design Director of COLOR.ME by Kevin Murphy. "Colour, strength, and moisture all [get] lost much faster as it has no protection."

Signs of sun damage to your hair include discolouration, dry and brittle strands, broken or split ends, thinning and frizz. Damaged hair has a dry look and feel and is unmanageable; it won’t hold a curl or style.

"If you don't protect your hair, the sun can actually shift your hair colour and change your hair texture by drying it out," says Frédéric Fekkai colourist Daniel Sanchez, who has worked with Karlie Kloss and Kate Hudson.

"On brunettes, the sun can bring unwanted warmth to the hair. On blondes, the sun can make colour fade faster and create serious dryness."

Those without colour-treated hair aren't off the hook, either. As Reid explains, "uncoloured hair still breaks down from sun, salt and chlorine, and the cuticle becomes damaged creating a rough, dull outside on your hair which then doesn't reflect light and shine in the same manner."

So, what can you do to make sure your hair doesn’t suffer?

Just as we wouldn’t step out in the sun without applying sunscreen to our skin first, the same kind of care should be given to our hair.

Whether you’re going to the beach, work, or simply running errands, it makes sense to hydrate and feed your hair from within – in a way that won’t wash, perspire or wear off.

Injecting nourishment into your scalp and strands halts the dehydration process and preserves hair with a protective layer. Hydration helps in anti ageing of the hair too, just as it does with the skin, and supports your skin and hair through those longer days, ocean dips and sunlit adventures.⁣

CROWNING GLORY has been scientifically formulated to deliver this specific scalp and hair nourishment in a daily 2-capsule dose, ensuring your scalp and strands are hydrated and protected:

Paired with HAIR ATELIER, scientifically formulated to deliver a healthy dose of not one but three plant-based proteins, you're also able to build the strength and condition of your hair shaft. HAIR ATELIER features collagen as well which is great for skin and the scalp - where our hair shaft begins.  With nitrates from beetroot in this daily pomegranate and berry shake, it also ensures blood flow to hair follicles is constant for healthy growth and to reduce the incidence of shedding.

Sun protection is a must for your skin and your hair.

Incorporate your hair supplementation into your everyday regimen, for a truly different level of mane game this summer.