5 Tips for Avoiding Sun Damage to Your Hair

Founder of one of Dubai’s top hair salons and award-winning ‘Queen of Colour’ Maria Dowling says, “Remember that your hair is like your skin; it burns easily in the sun and ages quickly if you don’t protect it.  A two week holiday can mean up to four months for your hair to recover if it’s not looked after properly.”

Here are Maria’s top 5 tips for avoiding sun damage to your hair wherever you are this summer.

1.Start preparing your hair a month before you go by removing any toxins, product build-up and general pollution from your hair and scalp.  This gives your hair a good foundation for your treatments, shampoos and conditioners to take effect. Try mariadowling Hair & Scalp Detox Clay – a one hundred percent natural cleanse that moisturizes and soothes scalp irritation at the same time.

2.Always use a UV sun protection in your hair, or when your hair is wet, apply a deep moisturizing treatment or masque (try Kerastase Nutritive Masquintense) and loosely tie it up.  Keep reapplying through the day then your hair will not only be protected but super soft when you rinse it off in the evening.

3.Before jumping into the sea or the pool, make sure you wet your hair in the shower.  When the hair is already wet, the hair cuticles will be protected from chlorine or salt overload.

4.While the roots are very important, make sure the ends are always protected as these are the oldest part of the hair and more susceptible to damage. Long hair should be tied up in a bun or a braid with lots of deep conditioning applied, to make sure the ends are fully covered.

5.If you have blonde hair or highlights, be careful not to dip it into chlorine for too long as it may give your locks a slight tinge of green!  If it does happen, a quick (if not a little messy) tip is to apply ketchup to your hair for two minutes…it really does work!

And finally…your hair needs a holiday sometimes too, so give the hairdryer and straighteners some time off and go au-naturelle.  Spritz a little salt spray on to wet hair, tie into a loose topknot or braids, and leaving it to dry naturally.  When you let it down, you will have a gorgeous natural boho wave.

If you do forget all of this, a really good hairdresser can repair the damage in time so make sure you’re booked in for a cut and intensive treatment as soon as you get back home! We love Kerastase Chronologiste Ritual with Mimetic Caviar Concentrate.

Words by Maria Dowling, Creative Director, mariadowling Salon

Social Media Links: 
@mariadowlingdubai – instagram
Mariadowlingdubai – facebook
@mariadowling_m – twitter