2024-11-21｜Lena

The scorching summer sun makes stepping out of an air-conditioned room feel unbearable. While most people remember to apply sunscreen to their skin or wear a jacket to shield themselves from the sun, protecting your scalp and hair from UV rays is just as important. In fact, the top of your head receives twice as much UV exposure as your face! Without proper sun protection for your head, your hair can get "sunburned," leading to dryness, split ends, and even faster fading of dyed hair colors.

Catalogue

I. The importance of hair sun protection: UV rays can "Sunburn" your hair

II. What happens when hair gets sunburned?

III. Summer challenges: Oily scalp and unpleasant odors

IV. Tips for choosing hair care products in summer

V. Recommended products: MEM Empower Series

I remember when I was a child, constantly playing under the sun. My hair color lightened to a shade of brown due to frequent exposure, and I naïvely thought I could achieve a mixed-race hair color just by staying in the sun. Little did I know, it was actually UV damage causing my hair to dry out and split. Eventually, I realized the seriousness of the issue. Hair is primarily composed of proteins like amino acids and cysteine, which are sensitive to heat. High temperatures can denature these proteins, causing hair to lose its elasticity and moisture at a faster rate. Healthy hair cuticles overlap each other like shingles, but prolonged UV exposure thins and roughens them. For hair that has been dyed or permed, the cuticles are even more prone to opening up. This exposes more surface area to UV rays, making chemically treated hair significantly more susceptible to damage than healthy, untreated hair.

Hair becomes dry
As mentioned earlier, prolonged exposure to high temperatures causes hair cuticles to thin, flip outward, or become damaged. Without the protective layer of cuticles, hair loses moisture more easily, leading to dryness and an increase in split ends compared to before.

Hair turns yellow and brittle
Hair contains melanin, the pigment responsible for its dark, glossy appearance, which also provides essential protection. Melanin absorbs free radicals to prevent them from penetrating deeper into the hair shaft and shields against harmful light. However, when exposed to UV rays for extended periods, hair undergoes oxidation, with its primary component, amino acids, being oxidized. This process produces by-products that turn the hair yellow and generate numerous free radicals. Melanin sacrifices itself to neutralize these free radicals, leaving less melanin to maintain the natural hair color, resulting in lighter or yellowish hair.

Dyed hair fades quickly
Post-dye care focuses on preventing oxidation, as it accelerates color fading. Sun exposure exacerbates oxidation, especially in dyed hair where the cuticles are already damaged. With a compromised structure and increased porosity, hair loses pigments more rapidly. This explains why spending time under the sun or enjoying water activities at the beach often results in faster color fading.

In addition to the trouble UV rays bring to hair during summer, excess oil and unpleasant odors are equally problematic. As temperatures rise, stepping out of an air-conditioned room in summer quickly leads to a sweaty scalp in just minutes. This is because high summer temperatures accelerate sebaceous gland activity, causing sweat and oil to mix, which makes hair appear greasier. Research indicates that for every 1°C increase in temperature, oil secretion increases by 10%. Since the scalp has the highest density of pores on the body, it also contains more sebaceous glands than the rest of the body or face, making it prone to oiliness.

Improper scalp hygiene or going to bed with damp hair are common causes of scalp odor. Additionally, the mixture of sweat and oil secretion can create an unpleasant greasy smell. To tackle this issue, ensure thorough cleansing of the scalp with shampoo and consider using shampoos infused with refreshing fragrances or mint to leave the scalp clean and aromatic.

Further Reading: Why Does Your Hair Get Oilier After Washing? Discover the 4 Reasons Behind Excess Scalp Oil and Severe Hair Loss!

Choosing the right hair care products for yourself

Not everyone with excessive scalp oiliness should rely on oil-control shampoos. Sometimes, "over-cleansing" triggers sebaceous glands to produce more oil, resulting in persistent greasiness. If long-term use of oil-control shampoos hasn't been effective, consider switching to a gentler shampoo for cleansing.

Products with high moisturizing properties

Summer UV exposure often leads to scalp sunburn and dry hair. Choosing products enriched with moisturizing ingredients can hydrate the scalp, relieving the tightness caused by dryness.

Look for antioxidant and free radical absorption ingredients

"Oxidation" is a major factor in lightening natural hair color and accelerating post-dye color fading. Opt for products that include antioxidant components to help maintain dyed hair color for longer.

Further Reading: What's the Difference Between Hair Masks, Conditioners, Hair Treatments and Color-Protecting Masks? A Quick Guide to Understanding Hair Care Choices!

The MEM Empower Series offers a complete three-step routine for hair care: cleansing with the hair bath, repairing with the hair mask, and enhancing shine with the hair oil. All three products are formulated with high antioxidant ingredients such as SOD and fulvic acid. These components effectively combat free radicals generated by sun exposure, ensuring that dyed hair retains its color without distortion.

Further Reading:

• Why Does Your Scalp Get Oily After Washing? The 4 Key Causes You Need to Know!

• Why Does Your Scalp Break Out? Professional Stylists Share 3 Solutions to Combat Scalp Acne!

• What Type of Dandruff Do You Have? 4 Ways to Stop Excessive Flaking.

• 4 Gentle Shampoos for Sensitive Scalps to Soothe Irritation.

• Seasonal Scalp Itch? Discover 7 Ways to Relieve Dry and Itchy Scalps!

• Struggling with Hair Loss? 5 Expert Solutions to Combat Severe Hair Fall!