Fun in the Sun? Not Quite
POSTED ON November 8, 2017With Singapore’s relentless sunshine beaming down from dawn till dusk, avoiding UV rays is easier said than done. Whether you’re walking to the MRT station, commuting to work, enjoying outdoor activities, or even just stepping out for lunch, the sun is almost impossible to escape.
You might think a little sun won’t hurt; but with Singapore’s ultraviolet (UV) index frequently reaching extreme levels, it’s time to reconsider.
What Are UV Rays?
UV rays are notorious for aging skin, but they also wreak havoc on your hair. If your mother ever warned you, “Girl ah, don’t go under the sun! Take an umbrella!”, she wasn’t wrong.
There are three types of UV rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC. While UVC rays are mostly absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere, UVA and UVB rays penetrate our environment and cause significant damage to both skin and hair.
- UVA Rays: These penetrate deep into the skin and hair, breaking down essential proteins and leading to premature aging.
- UVB Rays: These are more intense and responsible for sunburns. They also degrade hair proteins, leading to dryness and brittleness.
- UVC Rays: The most harmful but thankfully blocked by the ozone layer.
No UV rays are harmless, every bit of exposure contributes to damage.
How Do UV Rays Damage Your Hair?
UV exposure doesn’t just affect your skin; it weakens your hair’s structure in multiple ways. Research has shown that prolonged sun exposure can lead to:
✅ Hair loss
✅ Colour fading
✅ Oxidation
✅ Protein and moisture depletion
If you’ve ever noticed your hair getting lighter after time in the sun, it’s because UV rays act like bleach, breaking down melanin in your hair in an irreversible chemical reaction. Worse still, they weaken the outer protective layer of hair (the cuticle), leading to dryness and breakage.
3 Harmful Effects of UV Rays on Your Hair
1. Cuticle Damage
The outermost layer of each hair strand, known as the cuticle, acts as a shield. Excessive sun exposure weakens this protective barrier, leading to frizz, split ends, and brittle strands.
Damaged cuticles can make your hair feel rough, dry, and straw-like. Instead of the silky smooth locks seen in shampoo ads, your hair might resemble dried cuttlefish, fragile and prone to breaking.
Since the cuticle is primarily made of keratin (a type of protein), UV damage also results in protein loss, which further contributes to weakened, lackluster hair.
2. Hair Loss
Your hair follicles, responsible for producing new hair, are actually specialized skin cells, meaning they suffer from sun damage just like your skin.
When your scalp is overexposed to UV rays:
☀️ Blood vessels in your scalp dilate, causing inflammation.
☀️ Natural oils on your scalp break down, leading to dryness and irritation.
☀️ A harmful compound may be produced, which disrupts hair growth and triggers excessive shedding.
In other words, too much sun could speed up hair thinning and loss ; a nightmare for those trying to maintain healthy locks.
Your Scalp Needs Protection, Too
That’s why our Anti-Aging Hair Tonic is essential! Formulated with botanical extracts and biotin, it helps strengthen hair follicles, reduce thinning, and encourage growth, giving your scalp the protection it needs to fight UV damage.
3. Permanent UV Damage
Here’s the hard truth: once your hair is damaged, there is no way to repair it permanently.
While protein treatments, deep conditioning, and oils can temporarily improve texture and appearance, these solutions wash out over time. The only true way to restore hair health is to cut off the damaged strands and allow new, healthy hair to grow.
Since your hair plays a vital role in self-confidence and appearance, protecting it from sun damage should be a priority!
How to Protect Your Hair from UV Damage?
Now that you know how harmful the sun can be, here are some tips to shield your hair:
✔ Wear a hat or use a UV-protective umbrella when stepping outside.
✔ Use hair products with UV protection, like leave-in sprays or serums. For instance, our Miyaki Smooth & Shine (SS) Hair Serum not only protects your hair from harmful UV rays but also keeps it soft and nourished. It offers a fresh, vibrant scent that lasts all day; bright citrus notes blend with soft floral hints, creating a light, sophisticated fragrance. At its core, smooth fractionated wood adds depth, balancing freshness with elegance.
✔ Avoid peak sun hours (10 AM – 4 PM) whenever possible.
✔ Deep condition regularly to replenish lost moisture.
✔ Stay hydrated—healthy hair starts from within!
Your hair deserves just as much sun protection as your skin, so don’t wait until the damage is done! 🌞🚫💇♀️
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