Hair Protection 101: How to Save Your Strands from Heat, Sun, and Environmental Damage
Your hair faces a lot more than just daily wear and tear. Exposure to heat styling tools, UV rays, pollution, and environmental aggressors can lead to dry, damaged, and brittle strands if you’re not careful. But don’t worry—keeping your locks healthy and vibrant is totally achievable with the right protection and care.
At Studio H, we understand the importance of safeguarding your hair from these harmful elements. That's why we’re sharing our top tips and product recommendations to keep your strands protected and looking fabulous, no matter what you’re up against. Whether it’s heat from your styling tools, UV rays from the sun, or pollution in the city, we’ve got you covered!
1. Heat Styling Protection
Who doesn’t love the look of a sleek blowout or defined curls? However, regular use of heat tools like straighteners, curling irons, and blow dryers can cause serious damage to your hair if you're not protecting it properly.
What Happens: Heat weakens your hair’s cuticle, making it more prone to breakage, split ends, and dryness. Over time, this can cause hair to lose its natural shine and bounce.
How to Protect:
• Always use a heat protectant: A heat protectant creates a barrier between your hair and the high temperatures from your styling tools. We highly recommend KEVIN.MURPHY Heated Defense — a weightless, leave-in foam that provides maximum heat protection up to 450°F (232°C). It also hydrates your hair without weighing it down, making it perfect for everyday use before blow drying or using hot tools.
• Turn down the heat: Use your heat tools on the lowest setting that still allows you to achieve your desired style. Avoid using them every day to give your hair a break.
• Rough dry first: Before using your blow dryer, use your hands to rough dry about 85% of the moisture out of your hair. This reduces the amount of time and heat exposure your hair has to endure.
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2. UV Protection from the Sun
Your skin isn’t the only thing that needs protection from harmful UV rays—your hair does too! Prolonged sun exposure can lead to dryness, discoloration (especially in color-treated hair and extensions), and a loss of strength in your strands.
What Happens: UV rays break down the protein structure in your hair, leading to a loss of elasticity, moisture, and color vibrancy. Over time, this can result in brittle, straw-like hair.
How to Protect:
• Wear a hat or scarf: When possible, cover your hair with a stylish hat or scarf when you’re out in the sun for extended periods. Not only will this physically block UV rays, but it also reduces direct exposure to the sun's harsh heat.
• Use UV-protective products: We love KEVIN.MURPHY UN.TANGLED, a leave-in conditioner that’s rich in nourishing Australian fruit extracts and provides UV protection to shield your hair from the sun’s harmful rays. It also helps detangle your hair while delivering moisture and strength.
• Hydrate regularly: After spending time in the sun, give your hair some extra love with a hydrating treatment like KEVIN.MURPHY HYDRATE-ME.MASQUE. This deep conditioning treatment restores moisture, smoothness, and shine, ensuring your hair bounces back after sun exposure.
• Avoid tanning beds: Just like the sun, tanning beds expose your hair to harmful UV rays, which can lead to dryness and discoloration. If you use a tanning bed, always wear a protective cap or wrap your hair in a scarf to shield it from the intense UV exposure.
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3. Pollution and Environmental Aggressors
Living in a city or spending time outdoors can expose your hair to harmful pollutants, dirt, and other environmental aggressors that can weigh your hair down and cause dullness.
What Happens: Air pollutants can settle on your scalp and strands, leading to buildup, scalp irritation, and damaged hair cuticles. Over time, this buildup can make your hair appear lifeless and lackluster.
How to Protect:
• Cleanse regularly but gently: Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo that cleanses your hair without stripping it of its natural oils. KEVIN.MURPHY REPAIR-ME.WASH is a perfect option for repairing and strengthening damaged hair while still being gentle enough for everyday use. It’s packed with powerful proteins and amino acids that nourish and protect your hair from further damage.
• Clarify when necessary: If you feel like your hair has heavy buildup from pollution, a clarifying shampoo like KEVIN.MURPHY MAXI.WASH is a great detox treatment. It purifies and removes unwanted product buildup, leaving your hair feeling fresh and revitalized. Use this once a week for a thorough cleanse.
• Lock in moisture: Polluted air can dry out your hair. Combat this with KEVIN.MURPHY YOUNG.AGAIN, a restorative leave-in oil treatment that helps hydrate, smooth, and strengthen your hair. It also adds a layer of protection against environmental damage and free radicals.
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4. Chlorine and Salt Water Protection
Swimming is one of the best ways to relax and have fun, but chlorine from pools and salt water from the ocean can wreak havoc on your hair if it’s not protected.
What Happens: Chlorine strips your hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and breakage, while salt water dehydrates and weakens your strands, causing them to tangle and break.
How to Protect:
• Pre-soak your hair: Before jumping into the pool or ocean, soak your hair with fresh water and apply a leave-in conditioner like KEVIN.MURPHY STAYING.ALIVE. This creates a barrier between your hair and the harsh chemicals or salt water, reducing the amount of damage your hair absorbs.
• Rinse immediately after swimming: Be sure to rinse your hair thoroughly with fresh water after swimming to wash away any chlorine or salt residue.
• Deep condition regularly: Treat your hair to a weekly deep conditioning session with KEVIN.MURPHY HYDRATE-ME.MASQUE to replenish lost moisture and prevent further damage.
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Protecting Your Hair Starts Today
Don’t let heat, sun, pollution, or water damage sabotage your hair’s health! By using protective products like KEVIN.MURPHY HEATED.DEFENSE, UN.TANGLED, and YOUNG.AGAIN, you can shield your strands from daily aggressors and keep your hair looking vibrant and healthy.
Ready to upgrade your hair care routine? Visit Studio H to pick up your KEVIN.MURPHY essentials, or book an appointment for personalized product recommendations. Let’s protect your hair and keep it looking its absolute best!
Book your appointment today, protect your hair for the future
At Studio H, we proudly carry KEVIN.MURPHY’s full line of eco-friendly, high-performance haircare products designed to protect and nourish your hair.
