Buzz
Some people don't need a salon visit to change their hair color. After spending time in the sun during summer, their hair may naturally lighten to a blonder shade. While these summer highlights may seem like a rejuvenating boost to your hairstyle, the truth is that the sun's damage is what makes hair lighter.
As noted by Popular Science, excessive sun exposure degrades the melanin in our hair. Melanin, the pigment that gives hair and skin their color, has evolved to protect our DNA from radiation by absorbing and dispersing ultraviolet light. However, melanin isn't a perfect shield against the sun's harmful effects. Over time, prolonged sun exposure causes melanin to break down, which leads to a loss of pigmentation in the hair. Hair strands that have lost melanin may appear to be naturally blonde or lighter in color.
The sun also impacts the melanin in our skin, but in a different way. Instead of losing pigmentation like hair, our skin increases melanin production to provide extra protection. This explains why the sun darkens skin but doesn't bleach it. Hair, made of dead cells, lacks the ability to protect itself from sun damage.
While you might not mind your hair lightening in the summer, it's just one sign of overexposure to UV rays. Sun-bleached hair can also become dry, frizzy, and brittle. To protect your hair from the sun, try wearing hats or other head coverings—especially when spending time outdoors in the middle of the day. You can also apply SPF products to your hair, just like you do for your skin.
