UV rays and hair in summer: how to protect it?

With the nice weather, we spend more time outside, hair blowing in the wind, under the sun... And yet, we rarely think about protecting it... Because if UV rays are invisible, their effects are much less so.

Sensitized scalp, dehydrated locks, weakened curls: the sun can quickly become our hair's number one enemy.

Of course, UV rays are present all year round, but in summer their intensity skyrockets, and our hair is exposed to them for longer, more directly.

Added to this are sea salt, chlorine from swimming pools, heat and repeated washing: all factors that attack the hair fiber.

But don't worry! In this article, we'll explain how to enjoy a beautiful summer in the sun, while keeping your hair healthy!

First of all, it is important to know the effects of UV rays on hair. Although they can be positive, such as stimulating blood circulation in the scalp, a feeling of lightness or even an antibacterial action, they have several harmful effects on your hair:

• Impact of UV rays on the cuticle

First, UV rays impact the hair cuticle. The cuticle is the outer layer that protects the hair fiber, and under the influence of the sun, this natural barrier is damaged: the scales lift, the surface becomes more porous, and the hair gradually loses its ability to retain moisture. As a result, the lengths dry out, become rough to the touch, and lose their natural shine.

And as if the sun wasn't enough, summer brings its share of bonus aggressions: wind, sea salt, chlorine, repeated washing... Enough to accentuate dehydration and leave hair even more vulnerable.

• Drying of the fiber

UV rays can also cause the hair fiber to dry out. By penetrating the outer layers of the hair, they alter the proteins that make up its structure, particularly keratin, which plays an essential role in its strength and flexibility. This degradation causes a significant loss of water within the fiber, which then becomes more fragile and less elastic.

Over time, this alteration causes the hair to become brittle, more sensitive to mechanical stresses such as styling or brushing, and lose its natural shine.

And when hair lacks moisture, hello frizz! Natural texture can change, especially on curls and textured hair that needs a good moisture balance. With too much exposure without protection, the hair fiber ends up fatigued... and it shows.

It's often forgotten, but the sun doesn't stop at the surface of the hair. It penetrates deep down and directly attacks its structure. Little by little, the fiber weakens, the hair becomes less resistant and breaks more easily.

It is therefore essential to understand the process behind these effects.

• Protein oxidation

Hair fiber is composed mainly of keratin, a protein essential for the strength, elasticity and resistance of hair. When exposed to UV rays for a long time, this keratin undergoes an oxidation process: the rays alter the chemical bonds that structure the protein, which gradually weakens the fiber.

This phenomenon particularly affects certain amino acids such as cystine , a key component of keratin. When cystine is oxidized, it loses its ability to maintain the integrity of the hair structure. As a result, the hair becomes more porous, less supple, more brittle, and its surface is more easily damaged by external aggressions (brushing, rubbing, heat, etc.).

Protein oxidation is therefore one of the first mechanisms by which the sun weakens hair, often invisibly at first, but whose effects accumulate over time. And the more the fiber is sensitized (colored, bleached, straightened, curled or textured), the more vulnerable it becomes to this type of degradation.

• Risk of breakage and split ends

When the hair fiber is oxidized and dried out, it loses its flexibility and strength. Hair becomes stiffer, coarser, and therefore much more sensitive to everyday mechanical stresses: brushing, rubbing against clothing or pillows, tight hairstyles, etc.

This makes the fiber break more easily, especially in lengths that are already weakened.

Lack of hydration combined with a weakened internal structure promotes the appearance of split ends, which can rise up the hair shaft if not treated in time. These split ends give a frayed, dull appearance and harm the overall beauty of the hair.

Without a little protection, hair can become tired, lose volume, and difficult to style. This is even more true for textured, curly, or frizzy hair, as it's naturally more fragile and dry.

Without proper protection, hair gradually wears out, loses its density, and becomes more difficult to style. This is especially true for textured, curly, or frizzy hair, which is naturally more fragile and dry. This leads to breakage more quickly, and maintaining length becomes a real challenge.

The sun doesn't just affect hair structure; it also affects its color. Whether natural or colored, hair is not immune to the effects of UV rays, which alter pigments and dull its shine.

• Discoloration of natural or artificial pigments

Prolonged exposure to UV rays causes an oxidation phenomenon: the chemical bonds that maintain the stability of the pigments are altered, which leads to their progressive degradation.

The color fades, loses intensity and depth.

In natural hair, this discoloration often manifests as lightening, especially in people with light hair. Brown hair can take on coppery highlights, while blondes tend towards yellow or gold.

While some people enjoy this "back from vacation" effect, it should not be forgotten that it is a weakening of melanin , the natural pigment in hair, accompanied by a loss of shine and protection.

When it comes to colored hair , the damage is even more visible. Artificial pigments used in coloring are generally more sensitive to oxidation. They degrade more quickly under the effect of UV rays, causing an alteration of the reflections , premature bleeding of the color, and sometimes even an unexpected transformation of the shades (cool blonde that turns yellow, brown that becomes coppery, red that turns pink).

This applies to both permanent and semi-permanent or plant-based colorings.

This bleaching weakens the hair fiber, especially when it has already been chemically treated. Without proper sun protection, the color becomes unstable, difficult to maintain, and requires more frequent corrective care!

It's no secret: textured hair is naturally more sensitive and fragile, making it particularly vulnerable to the effects of the sun. Whether it's wavy, curly, frizzy, or coily, its spiral shape requires extra care for several reasons.

The shape of textured hair prevents sebum, naturally produced by the scalp, from being distributed evenly along the hair fiber.

Thus, the lengths and ends are often drier, as they receive little natural protection. Under the effect of the sun, this lack of hydration is accentuated: heat and UV rays promote the evaporation of the water contained in the fiber, making the hair even drier and more brittle.

When hair is dehydrated or damaged by sun exposure, the curl can relax, become misshapen, or lose bounce. Over time, this can affect the natural definition of the texture, making hair more difficult to style, less consistent, and less bouncy.

In summer, the combination of sun and humidity promotes frizz. When the fiber is dehydrated, the curl loses definition, swells easily, and becomes more difficult to control. Without protection, textured hair lacks hold and control.

• Scarves, hats, turbans

To pamper your hair this summer, there's nothing better than protecting it in style! Colorful scarves, lightweight hats, or elegant turbans are your perfect allies against the sun's rays. In addition to adding a trendy touch, they create a gentle barrier to preserve the health of your hair fiber.

Quick tip: Choose natural, soft materials like cotton or silk, which prevent harsh friction, especially if you have curly, frizzy, or coily hair. This protects without damaging it!

• Tips to avoid the friction effect

To keep your hair in tip-top shape, also pay attention to how you wear your accessories. Scarves or turbans that are too tight can strain the hair fiber and cause breakage. Remember to strike a good balance between support and comfort. Alternate with wide-brimmed hats that protect while allowing your scalp to breathe, especially during hot weather.
A small, simple gesture that makes all the difference in preventing frizz and preserving the natural beauty of your curls.

To keep your hair moisturized and protected all summer long, it's important to adopt a tailored routine with targeted treatments. Here are the best ones:

To keep your hair moisturized and protected all summer long, it's important to adapt your hair care routine to the time of day. Here are our tips:

• During the exhibition
  To continuously protect and moisturize your hair from the sun's rays, rely on the 10-in-1 Multiprotect For My Curls Spray . Lightweight and non-greasy, this leave-in treatment moisturizes, protects against UV rays and heat, smooths frizz, and strengthens the fiber. Easy to apply to dry or damp hair, it's the perfect ally to keep your curls fresh and supple all day long.

• After the exhibition
  After sunbathing, your hair needs softness and deep hydration. The For My Curls Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner duo is ideal for this. The shampoo gently cleanses while nourishing, and the conditioner intensely hydrates, facilitates detangling, and redefines curls thanks to its plant oils and natural active ingredients. Your hair regains suppleness, softness, and shine.

• Importance of UV filters

UV filters are essential for protecting your hair from the harmful effects of the sun. They create a barrier that limits the penetration of ultraviolet rays, which are responsible for drying out, weakening the fiber, and causing color loss, whether natural or artificial. Without this protection, your hair's essential proteins and lipids are degraded, which can lead to loss of shine, brittleness, and split ends. Using a treatment containing UV filters helps preserve the health, softness, and beauty of your hair all summer long.

• Benefits of leave-in treatments

Leave-in treatments are particularly practical for continuous protection throughout the day. Easy to apply, even on dry hair, they don't weigh down the hair and can be reapplied as needed. In addition, they often combine protection and hydration thanks to natural ingredients like aloe vera, glycerin, or vegetable oils, which deeply nourish the hair fiber. These treatments also help smooth frizz and facilitate detangling, making your curls softer and easier to style.

👉 Jia Paris 10-in-1 Multiprotect Spray perfectly illustrates these benefits. It effectively protects against UV rays while moisturizing, strengthening and adding shine to your hair thanks to its formula enriched with aloe vera, flax extract, soybean and rapeseed . Learn more here .

The 10-in-1 Multiprotect Spray is our summer favorite to always keep on hand!

With its 98.7% natural ingredients, it respects your hair while giving it what it needs to stay in shape.

Flax, soy, rapeseed, and aloe vera extracts work together to nourish the hair fiber, protect hair from external aggressions, especially the sun, and maintain soft, shiny, and light curls. All this without weighing it down and is suitable for all textured hair types.

This multi-functional treatment offers a complete response to the needs of textured hair:

• This multi-function spray doesn't just do one thing:

✅ Protects from heat (hair dryer, sun, etc.)

✅ Protects against UV rays

✅ Hydrates hair
✅ Facilitates detangling
✅ Smoothes frizz
✅ Adds shine
✅ Limits the appearance of split ends
✅ Seals cuticles
✅ Strengthens hair fiber
✅ Brings softness and suppleness

One step to cover all your hair's essential needs, without weighing it down or compromising the definition of your curls.

For best results, apply the spray to damp or dry hair. Make sure to distribute the product evenly throughout your hair. No rinsing is necessary: ​​your style is instantly protected and enhanced, while remaining light and natural.

Conclusion :

🌞 In summary: this summer, your hair also deserves its sun protection

The sun, the sea, the holidays... we love it! But our hair can quickly suffer if it's not sufficiently protected.
As we've seen, between UV rays, salt, chlorine, and heat, the hair fiber is put to the test. The result? Dehydration, fragility, loss of shine, curls that lose their definition...

Fortunately, with the right actions and the right products, we can enjoy the sun without sacrificing the health of our hair .

Adopt a simple protective routine: cover your hair, moisturize regularly, and most importantly, pack a protective leave-in treatment in your beach bag. A quick step for protected, soft, and shiny curls all summer long.

And if you're looking for a practical, clean and effective product to go with you everywhere, the 10-in-1 Multiprotect Spray is here for that:
✔️ It protects, hydrates, strengthens, detangles and enhances… in just one spray.

So this summer, we're thinking about our skin... but we're not forgetting our hair!
And you, have you found your favorite hair shield? 🌊✨