The sun's ultraviolet rays act just like chemical bleach; when it hits the hair's cuticle it causes the structural keratin to break down.
After several weeks or months of this kind of exposure, your hair is ultimately left weak and dry. The sun can also alter any professional color you may have had done.
Your scalp is also particularly vulnerable to sunburn, especially when the sun is strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Anywhere the scalp shows through, such as where it's parted or braided, can burn and later peel. It's even possible to develop skin cancer on your scalp, neck and ears.
When spending a good deal of time in the sun, your best bet against hair and scalp damage is to wear a good head covering. Many women opt for a scarf, baseball cap or straw hat. But unlike sunscreens, head coverings usually don't come with SPF ratings.
A West Coast company called Sun Precautions is changing that with its Solumbra line of clothing and accessories. The company uses a patented 30+ SPF material that is so thorough at blocking UVA and UVB rays, it's considered a "medical device" for those with skin cancer or severe sun allergies.
According to the company's Web site, the average material that makes up hats and clothing has an SPF of only 5 to 9 - well below the SPF of 15 that's recommended by dermatologists. Solumbra goes way beyond that with its 30+ rating.
The really good news is, the hats are stylish and come in a variety of colors - so you can be fashionable while protecting your hair and scalp. From wide-brimmed sun hats to packable "crushers" and children's caps, you can choose from colors like kiwi, periwinkle and raspberry. Prices run around $48.
If you're serious about protecting your hair and scalp from the sun, be sure to visit http://www.sunprecautions.com/ for more information.
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