How To Repair Sun-Damaged Hair

Too much fun in the sun? If your strands are feeling dry, brittle or a little frazzled, it’s time to show them some love. Here, we walk through how to repair sun-damaged hair with a moisture-rich routine and healthy habits—plus tips to prevent UV damage in the first place.

What does sun-damaged hair look like?

If your hair’s been soaking up a lot of sun, you might notice:

• Dryness and breakage: UV rays strip hair of moisture and protein, weakening strands.
• Discoloration: Hair can lighten or become brassy due to pigment breakdown.
• Frizz and split ends: Damaged cuticles lead to rough, uneven texture.
• Loss of shine and elasticity: Sun exposure saps the natural oils that keep hair glossy and flexible.
  
  

Sound like your current hair situation? Don’t stress—we’ve got your recovery plan.

How to repair sun-damaged hair

1. Snip what can’t be saved.

While products can do a lot to restore softness and strength, they can’t mend split ends. And when left unchecked, those splits can travel up the strand, causing more breakage over time. Head to the salon for a light dusting (just a little off the ends!) to remove the damage you can’t fix and give your hair a fresh start.

2. Boost hydration, starting in the shower.

After trimming, it’s time to drench your strands in moisture. UV exposure strips your hair of its natural moisture, leaving it dry, brittle and extra prone to frizz and breakage. The fix? A haircare routine that brings hydration front and center.

Swap in a sulfate-free shampoo that gently cleanses without stripping away essential oils—because healthy hair starts with a balanced scalp. Then, bring in a conditioner that’s all about serious moisture and strength.

Fine to medium hair: Use our Smoothing Shampoo + Conditioner to minimize frizz and smooth things out without weighing you down.

Medium to coarse hair: Our Moisture Repair Shampoo + Conditioner duo is packed with amino acids and nourishing oils to give your hair that comeback glow—think softer, bouncier and shinier.

3. Use a hair mask weekly.

A rich weekly hair mask can work wonders on sun-damaged strands. Whereas regular conditioner focuses its hydrating magic on the surface of your strands (the cuticle layer), a hair mask penetrates below the surface all the way to the cortex, nourishing hair from the inside out.

Our Moisture Mask is formulated with powerful, plant-based ingredients that protect, repair and enhance shine for all hair types. We’re talking 3x stronger hair after just one use.* Apply post-shampoo, leave on for at least 10 minutes and rinse thoroughly.

*According to lab testing. Individual results may vary.

4. Skip hot tools (for now).

If your hair’s already parched from the sun, heat styling can push it further. Let your natural texture shine with air-dried styles (inspiration here) and lightweight products that define without damage.

Our Air Dry Styler is award-winning for a reason—use it for smooth, frizz-free hair that air-dries like a dream.

5. Support healthy hair at the root.

When it comes to repair, it’s easy to zero in on the damage you can see—but don’t sleep on your scalp. A balanced, hydrated scalp sets the stage for stronger, shinier, more resilient hair from the very start.

Reach for our Rejuvenating Scalp Serum, a lightweight, non-greasy treatment that calms, hydrates and helps support healthier, thicker-looking hair. Apply a few drops to your damp or dry scalp and gently massage in—no rinse needed.

Tips to prevent sun damage

Your hair’s on the mend—let’s keep it glowing. Here’s how to protect your strands from future sun stress:

• Cover up: Rock a wide-brimmed hat or a scarf to give your hair some shade.
• Shield it: Apply a heat protectant or a product with SPF before stepping into the sun.
• Cool it down: Avoid excessive heat styling, especially after hanging out in the sun.
• Moisture first: Stick to a moisture-rich routine for strength and shine all season long.