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If you want soft, shiny, healthy hair this summer, whether you’re lucky enough to be heading overseas, or a UK break, UV protection is a must. Remember, hair care is as important as skincare. In this blog, Laura Elliott, Head of Education at Neäl & Wølf, answers how to protect your hair from UV rays - so you can enjoy the sunshine without compromising on shine, strength, or softness.
Understanding UV damage: What happens to your hair?
Just like your skin, your hair can become damaged in the sun. UV rays penetrate the hair shaft, weakening the essential proteins that make your hair stronger. Although you may see initial lightening of the hair that looks like a sun-kissed glow, this is an early sign of damage under the surface.
The longer the exposure to UV rays, the more the impact becomes obvious. Hair starts to lose its moisture, leading to dryness and increased frizz, while the affected structure leaves strands more vulnerable to breakage and split ends. Over time, the cuticle becomes rough and uneven, resulting in a dull, lacklustre finish that stops your hair’s natural shine.
To maintain that effortlessly polished, salon-quality look, it’s essential to protect your hair as much as you would your skin - preserving its strength and softness. Read on as we share our top 3 tips.
1. Use UV protecting hair products
Use products that are specifically designed to shield your locks against harmful UV rays. A premium styling product can act like an invisible veil, safeguarding your locks whilst bringing out your hair’s natural shine and softness. Below, we’ve listed our top styling products that include UV protection.
MIRACLE Rapid-Blow Dry Mist
Our best-selling multi-benefit MIRACLE Rapid-Blow Dry Mist is enriched with shea butter and avocado oil. It adds moisture, protects from heat damage (including UV rays), reduces frizz, static and even brightens colour – a must-have this summer!
How to use: Shake well before use to activate the formula. Apply to damp or dry hair, working section by section through the mid-lengths and ends before blow-drying or using heat styling tools. To finish, lightly mist over styled hair to enhance shine while smoothing frizz and reducing static for a beautifully polished result.
GLOW Super Shine Micro Mist
If you’re looking for a weightless, luminous finish, GLOW Super Shine Micro Mist delivers instant radiance while helping to protect hair from environmental stressors, including UV exposure. Its ultra-fine formula smooths the cuticle, enhancing light reflection for a sleek, glass-like shine without weighing the hair down.
How to use: Shake well, hold 20cm away from the hair, and spray all over for a high-shine finish.
VELVET Nourishing Hair Oil
Our VELVET Hair Oil is a special blend of 3 of haircare’s amazing oils; Argan, Avocado and Jojoba, designed to nourish hair, leaving it soft and healthy, providing shine and protection against UV damage.
How to use: Apply a small amount of VELVET to clean, damp hair, working through the lengths and ends before styling as desired. For a refined finishing touch, smooth a small amount through dry hair to enhance shine and control.
ENHANCE Volumising Mousse
Specially formulated to give hair a long-lasting durable hold with maximum climate control, even in high humidity. Providing UV and thermal protection and enhancing shine and body, our ENHANCE Volumising Mousse is a must for all hair types.
How to use: Begin with lightly towel-dried hair. Shake the can, and add a small amount to your palms. Massage evenly into hair from root to tip, and then blow-dry, to create maximum lift and a long-lasting, high-volume finish.
CONTROL Flexible Styling Spray
Our CONTROL Flexible Styling Spray offers a balanced, flexible hold that lasts all day while protecting your hair from UV exposure. It keeps your style in place without stiffness, allowing natural movement with a polished finish.
How to use: Shake well before use. Hold can upright, approximately 15cm from the finished style, and spray in a sweeping motion.
TEXTURE Dry Texture Styling & Finishing Spray
TEXTURE Dry Texture Styling & Finishing Spray is a multi-functional finishing spray that helps create shape, movement and texture. This buildable spray maintains hold and volume whilst retaining hair’s natural flexibility. From straight to curly, for buildable shape and movement with long-lasting hold and volume, rejuvenate your hair with TEXTURE.
How to use: Shake well before use to activate the formula. Hold the can approximately 20–30cm from the hair and spray section by section to build a flexible, touchable hold. Suitable for all hair types, it enhances shape, texture, and volume while maintaining natural movement. To restyle, simply brush through with ease.
ELEVATE Volumising Lotion
Our ELEVATE Volumising Lotion is the perfect foundation for fuller, thicker-looking hair while offering lightweight protection against environmental stressors, including UV exposure. It enhances body and lift from the roots, leaving hair feeling soft, manageable, and naturally voluminous without any heaviness.
How to use: Apply through towel-dried hair and then blow dry with a large brush to increase volume.
DAILY Dry Shampoo
Refresh your hair using our DAILY Dry Shampoo - your effortless solution for beautifully revived, second-day hair. Expertly formulated to protect against UV, absorb excess oil and lift the roots, it instantly restores volume while leaving hair feeling clean, light, and refreshed.
How to use: Shake well before use. Hold the can approximately 20cm from dry hair and spray lightly into the roots. Allow the product to settle for a few moments, then gently massage or brush through to reveal refreshed, voluminous hair.
FORM Sculpting Lotion
Create refined, controlled styles with our FORM Sculpting Lotion - an essential designed to give flexible hold with a naturally UV protected, soft finish. This lightweight formula smooths the hair while enhancing definition, allowing you to shape and style with precision.
How to use: Apply a small amount to clean, damp hair. Work evenly from mid-lengths to ends, then style as desired. Ideal for blow-drying or air-drying to achieve smooth, sculpted results with lasting control.
GLOW Super Shine Spray
Elevate your finished look with the luminous touch of GLOW Super Shine Spray. Infused with protective benefits, it helps shield hair from UV exposure, leaving your style looking sleek, glossy, polished, and perfected.
How to use: Hold the can approximately 30cm from dry, styled hair and mist lightly over the surface. Apply sparingly for a weightless, radiant finish that catches the light beautifully.
2. Be mindful of peak sun hours
Hair is most vulnerable when the sun is at its peak! Between 11am and 3pm, UV rays are at their strongest, so hair can become damaged quicker - especially if your hair is coloured or already damaged. Where you can, limit your time outdoors during this time. If you do have to venture out, try and find shade where you can to shield your locks from direct sunlight.
3. Use physical defences
Sometimes, the simplest and easiest defences are the best ones. Incorporating physical barriers like accessories can protect against harmful UV rays, whilst also helping you to look and feel great. These include:
Wide-brimmed hats
A gorgeous wide-brimmed hat offers both style and substance. The brim means that not only is your scalp covered from direct UV exposure, but the lengths of your hair are also protected.
Silk scarves
Silk scarves bring softness to your look, whilst also being a gentle barrier against environmental stressors. When wrapped around your locks, they stop the sun’s UV rays from reaching your hair. As an added bonus, they also help to minimise friction, reduce frizz, and protect your cuticle from becoming roughed up.
Whilst your hair is covered, it’s the perfect opportunity to use a nourishing treatment like our HYDRATE Moisture Hair Mask. This allows your strands to absorb intense hydration throughout the day, leaving your locks soft, revitalised and radiant once revealed. Read more tips about summer protection: How to Protect Your Hair from the Sun - Sun-Damaged Hair and Summer Hydration
RESULTS: After one use of our HYDRATE Moisture Mask Treatment
Caring for your hair in the sun doesn’t have to be complicated! By combining UV-protective products with mindful habits and elegant styling choices, you can preserve your hair’s strength, shine, and overall health, even during the sunniest months. This summer, let protection become part of your ritual. Discover our range of styling and finishing products today: Styling & Finishing Products
