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☀️ sunshine and Sunscreen Tips You Need This Summer
You’ve spent LOT of time and money picking out the perfect set of hair extensions that not only enhance your look, but also make you feel like a million bucks. The idea of anything damaging those luscious locks? Nah, we’re not having it. If you’re all about catching rays this summer or slaying that beach day selfie, you'll need to keep those extensions in tip-top shape.
It turns out the sun and even your trusted sunscreen can throw shade at your extensions, leaving them pink, peach, or just not as fabulous as they should be. Don’t worry—we’re breaking down everything you need to know about protecting your hair extensions from sun damage and sunscreen mishaps.
Understanding the Risks
How That Golden Sunshine Affects Your Hair Extensions
The sun’s harsh UV rays are not just a threat to your skin; they also harm your hair extensions.
Prolonged exposure can dry them out, cause fading, and leave them looking dull and lifeless. Hair extensions, especially those made from sketchy origins, are more porous than your natural hair, meaning they soak up damage like a sponge.
Sunscreen and Hair Extensions
Using sunscreen is non-negotiable (your skin will thank you), but certain sunscreens can wreak havoc on your extensions. Ingredients like avobenzone and octocrylene, often found in chemical sunscreens, react with the textile dyes in your hair under UV light. This chemical reaction can lead to an orangey-pink hue, which can be especially heartbreaking if you’re rocking blonde or ash-toned extensions.
Why Hair Extensions Turn Pink
Ever notice certain sunscreens staining extensions, almost as if you’ve accidentally colored your hair coral? Here’s what’s going down behind the scenes:
- The Chemical Culprit -- Chemical sunscreens break down in sunlight, creating reactive compounds. When these compounds interact with the textile dyes in less than average quality hair extensions, discoloration occurs. Light-colored extensions are particularly susceptible to this reaction.
- Porosity Problems -- Processed or bleached extensions are naturally more porous, making it easier for sunscreen chemicals to seep in and cling to the strands. That’s why you might notice discoloration more often in chemically treated or non-Remy extensions.
- Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) -- Here’s the science-y bit. Sunscreen ingredients like avobenzone react with UV light, releasing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). These highly reactive molecules strip or alter pigments in your hair, leaving you with a frustrating pink tinge.
Choose Quality Extensions to Avoid Damage
Not all hair extensions are created equal, and the quality of your extensions can make or break how they react to summer elements.
The Beauty of Remy Hair Extensions
If you want hair that resists discoloration, opt for pure and validated Remy human hair extensions. Why? Remy hair has intact, aligned cuticles that act as a barrier, making it less porous and less likely to absorb sunscreen chemicals or react to textile dyes. These extensions are less processed, which means fewer vulnerabilities to reactive compounds.
Why Non-Remy Extensions Fall Short
Non-Remy hair extensions, unfortunately, don’t hold up as well. Their cuticles may be stripped or misaligned, resulting in higher porosity, more damage from UV rays, and a greater chance of chemical reactions with sunscreen.
If you’re all about long-term value and fewer hair woes, verified Remy extensions are worth the investment.
*PRO TIP -- all brands claim their hair is 100% natural Remy hair, when, IN REALITY, they are not. Make sure to do your research and purchase your extensions that has third-party verification of their sourcing AND third-party validation tests that prove the hair is Remy.
How to Protect Your Extensions This Summer
Now that we’ve decoded the science behind the damage, here’s how you can summer-proof your extensions and keep your locks looking flawless all season long.
Protective Products to Try
- Leave-in Conditioner -- A UV-protective leave-in acts as a shield for your extensions. Apply before stepping outside to minimize damage.
Recommended Product: Crown Affair The Leave-In Conditioner x D.S. & Durga
- Opt for Mineral Sunscreen -- If you have hair extensions with lesS than optimal quality, always opt for mineral-based sunscreens with ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These are far less reactive and easier on your extensions.
Recommended Product for Prolonged Hair: Vacation Classic Spray
Recommended Product for all other brands: Sunright® Solar Screen Mineral Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+
- Use Hair-Specific UV Protection -- A hair UV spray acts like sunscreen for your strands, forming a protective barrier against the sun.
After a day in the sun, be sure to wash hair thoroughly to remove the sunscreen residue. Always follow with a hydrating conditioner to help restore the moisture depleted from a day in the sun.
Recommended Product: Kérastase Soleil Crème UV Sublime 150 ml
Recommended Product: Oribe Gold Lust Repair and Restore Shampoo and Conditioner
IT NEVER HURTS TO BE OVERLY CAUTIOUS THOUGH.
If you do choose to weight on the cautious side, then always opt for products that only contain the active ingredients Zinc Oxide AND Titanium oxide. These two ingredients is what makes sunscreen considered "mineral," rather than "physical" or "chemical." When looking to identify what sunscreens are "chemical," (also known for their chemical interaction with textile dyes), be Look out for these ingredients and steer clear when they’re listed on the label:
- Avobenzone
- Octocrylene
- Oxybenzone
- Homosalate
- Octinoxate
"Remember, don’t drown your hair in sunscreen! A light mist near your hairline and scalp is all you need."
Chelsey, California Native and Extension Specialist
How to Fix Discoloration
If the damage is already done, don’t panic! Follow this step-by-step plan to revive your extensions.
- Cleanse with a Clarifying Shampoo -- This removes mineral buildup and prepares your hair for further treatments.
Recommended Product: dae, Desert Detox Clarifying Shampoo
- Do a Vitamin C Clarifier -- Crush five Vitamin C tablets, mix them with clarifying shampoo, and apply to your extensions. Leave for 5-10 minutes, then rinse.
Recommended Product: Malibu C Vitamin C
- Malibu C Crystal Gel -- These salon-grade packets detox your extensions, removing stubborn discoloration without damaging the strands.
Recommended Product: Malibu C Crystal Gel, WEFT AND EXTENSIONS READY WELLNESS FORMULA
- Re-Tone -- If a tint remains, use a purple or blue toner to neutralize lingering hues.
Maintain Gorgeous Extensions in the Sun
Enjoy the Sunshine Without the Stress
With a bit of planning and the right products, your extensions can handle any summer adventure. Focus on prevention with UV sprays, mineral sunscreens, and high-quality extension choices (hello, PROLONGED HAIR).
And if things go sideways? There are always ways to undo mishaps and restore your extensions to their former glory.
Looking for more maintenance tips on how to prolong the health of our extensions? Check out our tried and true maintenance guide. Updated seasonally for all the go-to best practices for your hair.