sunscreen for hair

[bryana]

Can anyone recommend a good spray on sunscreen for hair?

[Gardezbien]

I have heard coconut oil has an SPF of 4-10 by itself.

Have you considered an urban wrap? http://thestyleunderground.typepad.com/blog/headscarf-styles/

[hypersensitive]

I honestly think hair sunscreens are marketing gimmicks (http://thebeautybrains.com/2009/05/28/who-is-skeptical-about-sunscreen-in-their-hair-products-2/). Covering your hair with a hat takes no chemicals and will also shield your skin from the sun at the same time.

[bryana]

fair enough, thank you both!

[YamaMaya]

I agree, a hat does just fine. Never heard of a sunscreen for your hair though, considering you can't get hair cancer, it seems rather silly.

[soothsayer]

I agree with the hat/wrap/scarf suggestions. I always go for a big floppy-brim hat, but I also just do a regular spray sunscreen on my part if my hair is parted. I've gotten wicked scalp sunburn just with a side part before, so I'm always wary about that.

[Feathered]

I think sunscreen for hair is a very good idea. I'm not sure what all damage the sun can do to hair, but it must do something since it lightens hair somewhat. I always have lighter hair in the summer. Plus I'm not a big fan of hats in the summer. They make my head too hot. Good question.

[Platzhalter]

Honestly... why would you need sunscreen for your hair?

[Mowle]

The UV light from the sun causes the hair to lose protein. There are a few articles about it here http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19138021
A little bit of sun wouldn't kill healthy hair, but if it's already low in protein or damaged or you're in direct sun for a long time it'd be wise to cover up. Not to mention sunburnt partings! Ouch!
I use any sunscreen that's labelled for hair whenever I put sunscreen on my face (I live in the cold dark north so that doesn't happen often!), but I'm also voting for a hat - you don't have to wash them out :)
Maybe a good idea to use a protein treatment after a lot of sun exposure too, if your hair likes them.

[meteor]

I absolutely agree with Mowle. Sun exposure is up there with chlorine, bleach, heat and other sources of hair damage that are actually scientifically proven very extensively.
You won't get cancer via photodamaged hair, like you can via skin, but if you want to avoid keratin damage and color fading, staying in shade and using hats and scarves is the way to go.
I can't recommend any hair products because:
- they are designed to protect the dye, not your natural color;
- they are ridiculously hard to apply in a way that would cover all exposed hair without making it weighed down and dirty-looking.
I have "UV filter" in some conditioners but I never rely on them.

That said, I know that henna protects the skin from tanning... so I wonder if henna-heads get UV protection effect on their hair? I'm pretty sure henna is sun-resistant, but does it protect the underlying hair as well? I hope henna-heads could weigh in on this. And it would be so awesome if there was some research to support or deny this (maybe hair under microscope pre-/post- henna and sun).

[Hairitic]

Wish I could help on the Henna and sun damage question. I Henna but have never really spent much time with my hair exposed to the sun. I can't say if it damages through the Henna or not:confused:

ETA: I'm headed to Myrtle Beach, SC in the morning and I'm bringing my sun hat! :p

[durgidog]

it is said that henna protects hair from uv rays, if you google you'll find many discussions on the topic. I have no idea if it's true but since henna coats the hair shaft it makes some sense.