Why You Need to Wear Sunscreen in Your Hair

By now, we've hopefully all been scared straight enough to know the importance of sunscreen. If not, you've been warned. Once you recognize that SPF is pretty much the key to looking young forever, you won't even question adding it to your regimen. But is hair sunscreen equally as crucial? The short answer is yes. Hair can burn just like your skin. Before slathering on SPF from head to toe (definitely still forehead to toe!), however, read on to see what experts have to say about the benefits of hair products with sun protection.

It's a little more difficult to see the immediate effects of sunscreen on hair like you do for skin, but at the end of the day, the function is similar. "Theoretically, UV blockers absorb and dissipate the UV energy that impacts hair," says cosmetic chemist Perry Romanowski. Matrix celebrity stylist Nick Stenson further explains that sunscreen differs only in the protection compound and the delivery system used (i.e., oil, cream, or spray), but in general, whether you're using it on hair or skin, it does the same thing: "Sunscreen compounds either reflect, absorb, or physically block light rays that come in contact with hair," says Stenton.

There should be little difference in which gets more attention between your hair or skin. As a general rule, if you're going to be in the sun, you should be covered in SPF. "Sun leaches moisture and color, weakening hair shafts and drying out even well-conditioned hair," Stenson warns. If your strands are color-treated, there may also be some added fade protection in it for you, but Romanowski says not to expect much. "It is believed by some to prevent UV rays from breaking down hair color and breaking down hair protein chains, but evidence supporting this is weak." What it can do is keep strands from drying out and burning in the same way that your skin does if overexposed to harsh rays. "The key is to put a protective barrier between sun and hair," says Stenson.

To ensure that your hair SPF gives you optimal protection and plays nice with your other styling products, apply it last. "Remember to treat your hair like your skin when it comes to the sun — the best protection comes in layers," says Stenson. He suggests starting with a color-protecting, antioxidant-filled shampoo and conditioner like Matrix Total Results Color Obsessed Shampoo and Conditioner ($13 each, originally $23 each). Follow it up with a leave-in conditioner with UV blockers to help retain moisture and keep strands from frying while you're lounging poolside. Also, be sure to get it all the way to the scalp, which is equally as important as your fragile mid-lengths and ends.