How to Protect Your Hair from the Sun (Yes, It Needs Sunscreen Too!)

When we think about sun protection, our skin usually gets all the attention, but your hair needs just as much care in the summer months. At Ella Hair Salon Cheltenham, we’re passionate about keeping your hair healthy, glossy, and strong all year round. And with the right summer haircare routine, you can protect your hair from UV damage without compromising on style.
Whether you’re heading to the beach, enjoying festivals, or soaking up sunshine in your garden, here’s how to protect your hair from sun damage and keep your colour fresh and vibrant.
Why You Need to Protect Your Hair from the Sun
Excessive sun exposure can leave your hair dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. UV rays weaken the protein structure of the hair shaft, cause colour to fade, and zap the moisture right out of your strands.
If you’ve invested in colour services, especially blonde highlights, balayage, or vibrant hues, your hair is even more vulnerable to sun damage. Plus, your scalp can burn too, leading to flakiness, irritation, and even slower hair growth.
The Best Hair Products for Sun Protection: Davines SU Range
One of our summer must-haves at Ella Hair Cheltenham is the Davines SU range. It’s a beautifully formulated collection designed to protect, repair, and hydrate hair that’s exposed to sun, salt, and chlorine.
Our top Davines SU picks:
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SU Hair & Body Wash – A gentle cleanser that removes product buildup, sweat, and sea salt without drying out your hair or skin. Perfect post-beach.
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SU Hair Mask – A rich, restorative mask that nourishes sun-damaged hair. Use it weekly to revive shine and softness.
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SU Milk – Your daily leave-in conditioner with built-in UV protection for hair. It hydrates, detangles, and shields your hair from sun exposure, all without weighing it down.
Ella Tip: Spritz SU Milk on damp or dry hair before heading out. Pop it in your beach bag for easy reapplication throughout the day.
You can find the full Davines SU haircare range here or shop in-salon at Ella Hair on Bath Road in Cheltenham.
Other Ways to Protect Hair from Sun Damage
Using UV-protective hair products is key, but there are a few other tricks we recommend to our clients in the salon:
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Wear a hat or scarf – A wide-brimmed hat doesn’t just protect your face; it shields your scalp and hair from direct UV rays, too.
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Rinse before and after swimming – Wet your hair with fresh water before jumping in the pool or sea. It helps prevent hair from absorbing as much chlorine or salt.
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Air-dry whenever possible – Give heat styling tools a rest, and embrace your natural texture. The less stress, the better.
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Stay hydrated – Drinking water keeps your hair healthy from the inside out. Use a hydrating leave-in conditioner or mask to maintain moisture levels.
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Get regular trims – Sun-damaged ends can split faster, so schedule a quick tidy-up every 6-8 weeks.
Keep Your Hair Healthy and Summer-Ready with Ella Hair Cheltenham
At Ella Hair Salon in Cheltenham, our expert stylists are here to help you protect and maintain your hair during the sunny season. Whether you need a personalised haircare plan or want to stock up on salon-quality products like Davines SU, we’ve got you covered.
And if you need any minis for your next trip, check out our Best Davines Mini Products for Your Next Getaway post.
Book your summer appointment today, or pop into the salon for friendly advice and tailored recommendations.
Your hair deserves protection, shine, and care this Summer, let’s make it happen. 🌞