Beauty Gems - Protect Your Skin and Hair from the Sun

It’s summer here in the UAE and the sun is a scorcher. For a few months of the year, we have perfect ‘summer weather’ and then the rest of the year it’s just ‘desert summer’ weather. The sun sends us all out to the beach and pool, but as I found out, we don’t have to be laying out in the sun for the sun to cause damage. The sun is no friend and even though we all like the healthy look of tanned skin that gives the illusion of health, it’s just that, an illusion. We need the sun to produce vitamin D, and it’s actually very common in the UAE, to be vitamin D deficient, as people tend to stay in during the hottest months of the year, but we only need about 15 minutes of sun-exposure to get our daily dose of vitamin D. The misconceptions of the sun has caused us to age before our time and many suffer from skin cancer. We’re going to look at why the sun is so bad for us and how we can protect ourselves. Then, I’ll share some of the products I use to protect my hair from the sun and show you how to make a hair mask from things you have in your pantry.

The sun is responsible for most of our wrinkles and age spots; talk about sun-protection being the most important part of any good beauty routine. In fact, studies show that most people don’t apply sunscreen at all, regardless if the sun is out or not. Women are more likely to put sunscreen on their faces than any other part of their body and most foundations have at least a SPF 15. The sun is also the leading cause of skin cancer and even just one bad episode of sunburn increases your risk. The sun emits both UVA and UVB ultraviolet light and UVB was previously thought to be the only harmful ray, but studies have shown that both UVA and UVB are harmful to your skin and hair. UVB light is the one that we’re most aware of. It is responsible for sunburn and redness of skin. The strength of UVB light varies through the seasons and that’s why most people don’t think it’s necessary to put on sunscreen when the sun is not ‘out’. Because UVB light doesn’t penetrate deep into the skin, it causes skin cancer closer to the surface of the skin. So, in summer, UVB light is stronger and that’s when we often feel it’s effects. UVA light is sneakier and less obvious than UVB, yet it’s always present. It is extremely powerful and penetrates deep into the skin; even penetrating clothing, glass, clouds, smog and mist. On cloudy days, 80% of UVA light still gets through. Because it penetrates the skin so deep, is also causes, or at the very least, increases your risk for skin cancer. Sun protection is the single most important part of your beauty regime and sun damage should be taken very seriously. 

We can all do more to protect our skin and hair. Using a broad spectrum (giving both UVA and UVB coverage) sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15 greatly lowers your risk of developing skin cancer. Sunscreen with a SPF of 30 and 45 block 96% of the sun’s UV rays. It’s important to apply sunscreen every day, even on cloudy days and in winter where sun’s rays reflect of snow. Don’t forget to put on the ears, nose, neck, hand and feet. The higher the SPF the less frequent you’ll reapply but every two hours is a good guide and even less if you’re in the water as no sunscreen is truly waterproof. It’s important to read the label of the sunscreen to know how frequently you need to reapply, if it is a broad spectrum, and if it can be used on sensitive skin. You can also wear protective clothing like long sleeves, hats, glasses and using an umbrella, but this only protects you from getting burnt as UVA rays penetrate clothing.  It’s good to avoid the sun between 10am to 2pm in the summer and here in the UAE it’s even up to 4pm. 

Don't forget your sun hat. 

Hair also need to be protected from the sun. Obviously, wearing a hat helps tremendously but is often restricted from wearing a hat while at work or most of us don’t wear hats unless we’re on the beach or at the pool. The sun damages our hair by extracting moisture from it and it often gets frizzy, brittle and dry. Chlorine and salt has the same effect; not to mention daily styling with hairdryers and hot irons. There are products commercially available that provide UV protection from the sun and that help replenish the moisture as well. Products like UV block for the beach and pool and moisture lock products are readily available. It is also important to use products that help prevent damage caused by styling with heat. 

Starting left going clockwise

Hask repairing shampoo and conditioner with Argan Oil from Morocco; Pantene Moisture Renewal; also available in 350 ml tube; Nivea After Sun soothing spray; Elvive from L'oreal Total Repair serum; Wella New Wave Mousse with heat protection; Avene SPF 50 sunscreen for sensitive skin 

I like to use any product with Argon oil. It helps strengthen hair follicles and promotes hair growth. I have very fine hair, especially after pregnancy. Pantene Moisture Renewal is great on wet and dry hair. It doesn't have a greasy finish and it now comes in  small 75ml dispenser that you can keep in your hand bag. The Nivea after sun spray is amazing for relieving sunburn effects and give your skin a moisture boost after being out in the sun. The Elvive hair serum is amazing. You only need a little bit and you can immediately feel the difference. I use hair mousse to help with volume and I've used Wella New Wave for a long time. It comes with hear protection so I don't need to use another product for that. And, of course, the trusty sunscreen. I use Avene sunscreen for sensitive skin and it doesn't leave that weird white washed look on your skin. It absorbs really fast. I'd like to add another product for more UV protection that I've seen available here online.  

I recently tried a hair mask made from things I already had in my pantry. It included bananas, which are good for moisturising and preventing split ends. It also has yogurt that helps cleans the follicles to allow hair to grow. And, finally, honey and coconut oil. Honey strengthens hair and coconut oil help with hair growth.   

The recipe

                      

Good enough to eat

Mix thoroughly

Part your hair down the middle and apply mask from the scalp to the tips. It’s much like dying your hair, it only smells a lot better.

A little help from my guy.

It's a messy occasion but is smells delicious. 

Cover your hair with a shower cap. For even more of a treat, wrap the shower cap with a warmed towel; it will also help catch any oil that leaks through the cap. Keep it on for about 20-30 minutes. 

I look like my mother here. 

Shampoo and rinse as normal: you might need a few washes to get all the banana out. I washed it in the evening and woke up with some banana flakes still. By the second wash it was all out. My hair looked and felt softer, but I didn’t realise how damaged my hair really was, so I’ll be doubling my efforts in protecting it from the sun and replenish the moisture as I must wash my hair every day.

Definitely Softer

So, be aware of the sun. It’s not your friend. Use your sunscreen every day and protect your hair as well. 15 minutes a day is all you need to get your daily dose of vitamin D. Be aware that sunscreen might affect sensitive skin, so use one specifically for your skin type and consult your doctor if in doubt. Infants should not use sunscreen so keep babies out of the sun and well protected.

💖Always

Leazille

Please feel free to leave a comment below. Send me an email at givingiteverythingandmore@gmail.com and receive updates of new posts. 

Hope you enjoy the hair mask. 

References:

https://www.health24.com/

https://www.fda.gov/

https://www.liveabout.com/uva-and-uvb-rays-3013648