Are you using hair SPF? Why sun protection for our tresses can't be overlooked

Hands up who uses SPF in their daily skincare routines? Those who are passionate about beauty and skincare will tell you that no morning routine is complete without their beloved SPF, a skincare staple in all beauty editors regimes.

Between the risk of premature ageing and the far more serious risk of skin cancer, wearing a daily SPF is a non-negotiable.

But as we apply our morning suncream to our faces, should we be going that one step further and applying it to our scalp and hairline?

WH asked expert Anabel Kingsley, trichologist at Philip Kingsley She said: 'UV rays can seriously dry out and weaken your strands, especially if your hair is already in bad condition. Prolonged sun exposure degrades the protein structure of hair, often resulting in low elasticity, breakage, split ends and lack of shine.'

Do you need to put sunscreen on scalp?

In short, yes. Your scalp — though it may be covered by your hair — and your hair itself are both at risk for UVA/UVB damage.

Kingsley explains, 'Our scalp is skin, and it can get damaged by the sun just like the skin on our face, arms and legs. Short term, this can cause problems like redness, soreness and subsequent peeling – but repeated sun exposure and incidences of sunburn can lead to skin cancer on our scalps.'

Will sunscreen damage your hair?

No, it will not damage your hair. Some formulas may be a little heavy and greasy for your liking but it's about finding the right formula for you. You can buy hair specific SPFs in the form of mists and oils which are generally a little lighter than creams.

How to Apply Scalp SPF?

To protect yourself using an SPF on the scalp, experts recommend making sure you apply it to your hairline and parting.

You can also use regular sunscreen to do this, but you may find it feels greasy and heavy on the hair. Adam Reed, Founder ARKIVE and Adam Reed Salon said, 'Hair products with UV protection tend to come in aerosol sprays, mists, milks and creams that are applied through the lengths of wet hair. Try to find one that suits your hair type if you’re concerned about your hair feeling greasy and avoid applying to the root.'

From nourishing mists, to oils to frizz-fighting creams, we round up our favourite sun-protection products for hair.

Reference: Your Health: Sophie Cullen