Just as it is damaging to your skin, ultraviolet is equally damaging to your scalp and
hair. Although your hair does not contain living cells, ultraviolet (UVA & UVB) may
wreak hovac on your hair by altering the chemical consistency of color treated hair and
perms and lead to a host of problems such as split-ends, breakage, loss of pigmentation
and even premature hair loss. For people who have thinning hair, it is particularly
important for your scalp to avoid direct contact with UV. Our scalp is no difference from
our skin and over-exposure to direct sunlight may damage the skin tissues on our scalp and
negatively affect hair growth. Few people realize that healthy hair growth relies heavily
on a healthy scalp. As we age, we fail to manufacture sufficient collagen to nourish and
hold together the skin tissues that are essential for healthy hair growth. To a
certain extent, hair loss is part of this aging process that we are subject to as we grow
older. UV definitely plays a role in expediting this aging process.
Sadly, very often, we focus only on our face and ignore the fact that our scalp is just as
vulnerable to sun exposure, if not more. Sunburnt on the scalp or any forms of sun induced
tissue damage on the scalp can be damaging to our hair follicles and result in hair loss.
This type of hairloss would be under the broader catergory of "scalp
inflammation" related hair loss. Simply put, sunburnt may trigger an inflammatory
response on our scalp that leads to hair loss. Young et al. demonstrated that scalp
inflammation was present in over 96% of their patients with androgenic alopecia (source:
Dr. Razack's "Conquering Hair Loss, page 50). Inflammation is a local response that
the body produces toward some type of injury. In the case of sunburnt on our scalp, an
immediate vascular activity resulting in both dilation and increased permeability of blood
vessels take place. White blood cells are triggered to attack the site where sunburnt
occurred. However, since the stimulus of inflammation is from an external source, ie: sun
exposure, the white blood cells do not have any internal substances to act upon or attack
other than interferring with the hair follucle cycle.
Sun exposure may also trigger bacterial activity on the scalp that leads to hair loss.
Young et al (Young, Leavitt et al, Cutaneous Immunopathology of Androgenic Alopecia, JAOA;
91 (8)) suggested that it is not uncommon for bacteria to inhabit certain areas within the
hair follicle. These light-activated bacteria, called Propionibacterium acnes, can cause
inflammatory reaction in our scalps. Studies conducted by Saint-Leger et al and Hamilton
& Ludwig (British Journal of Dermatology; 114:543-552, 1986) both concluded that
inflammation due to light exposure and the resulting bacterial activity can lead to hair
loss.
It is also worth noting that sun exposure is not recommended for people who uses Retin-A
in their hair loss treatment regimen. While it is true that Retin-A-Minoxidil combo
treatments can enhance penetration of minoxidil and produce significantly better results
for many people (reported earlier by us, see Library for details), Retin-A also enhance
our scalps vulnerability to the sun. In fact, doctors and dermatologists always recommend
that people who use Retin-A should avoid the sun. Retin-A treated areas are particularly
prone to inflammation as a result of sun exposure. The inflammation is characterized by
reddness, itch or minor swelling. So bear in mind that Rein-A is always a two-edge sword.
The sun is also the enemy for people who are experiencing so called "minoxidil
burnt". This usually happens to people who are using 5% minoxidil. The symptoms are
charaterized by severe itch, reddness of the scalp, excessive flakes and crutings etc. The
sun can once again aggravate these symptoms and lead to more severe inflammatory
conditions and hair loss.
All in all, use a sunscreen on your hair before you leave your home. It may be a novel
concept for most people since most would only associate using sunscreen on their face or
body. But nowadays more and more people have become cognizant of the fact that their
scalps are just as vulnerable to the sun and many companies have introduced unique
products to meet those needs.Last year, we published a very extensive
review of various sun screens for hair and scalp. Since then, many new products have come
to the market and it does appear that people are gradually giving sun screen the attention
that it deserves.
Particularly worth mentioning is Coconut Tree's Hair & Scalp Sun Protection
Spray SPF15. This is one of the few products that are specifically formulated with a SPF
label. If you recall, none of the sun screens reviewed last year bears an official SPF
label. Among the products that were reviewed last year are: Phytoplage High Protection Sun
Spray, Celluplex Thickener Serum With Sunscreen, Celluplex Hair Thickening Shampoo,
Giovanni's Tea Tree Triple Treat Shampoo, and John Frieda Hair Thickening Spray with
Sunscreen.
Coconut Tree Hair & Scalp Sun Protection Spray SPF15
This is our overall # 1 choice for this year. Not only
does Coconut Tree offers an official SPF15 protection, it is also one of the easiest to
apply. It works just like hair spray or any other styling aids that you would use on a
daily basis. It is very light, similar to a mist, and does not wear down your hair. The
only drawback is that Coconut Tree does contain alcohol so after a while, your scalp may
feel dry as a result. Also, while it does bear an official SPF15 label, this is by no
means the strongest protection out there and if you plan to stay in the sun for an
extended period of time, it is a good idea to reapply every 3 hours or so. For those who
are using minoxidil on a daily basis, try to apply minoxidil before you use the spray.
Phytoplage High Protection Sun Spray: This is a
topical hair spray formulated exclusively for sun protection. This is the only product in
our review that provides the highest protection against sun exposure. Phytoplage contains
eight plants extract selected for their emollient and softening properties, plus an
anti-UV sunscreen which helps shield the hair from sun damage. According to the
manufacturer, Phytoplage protects the hair from the drying effects of the sun, wind, sea
water and chlorinated water in swimming pools. It prevents color oxidation in the sun and
preserves the shine, suppleness and radiance of the hair.
The only problem is that this is an oil based product and some people find it a little too
greasy and may weigh their hair down. While this product offers the highest protection
against the sun, we do not recommend this to people with oily hair and scalp.
Ingredients: Castor Oil, Lappa Extract, Willow Leaf Extract, Lemon Oil, Sage Oil, Rosemary
Oil, Juniper Oil, Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Ethoxydiglycol, Dimethicone
Copolyol, Octyl MEthoxycinnamate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben.
Celluplex Thickening Serum with Sun Screen: This one is my
favorite. This two-in-one all natural topical hair serum can instantly thicken your hair
while at the same time provides a natural sun filter against ultraviolet damage. This hair
spray is formulated with Celluplex Serum, an all natural hair thickening complex that can
infuse vital nutrients and mositure deep into the cortex of the hair. The Celluplex serum
together with a hosts of expensive herbal extracts can strengthen hair shaft and expand
the diameter of the hair by increasing the mositure holding capacity of the hair. My only
complaint is that this product does not come in a spray bottle. For best results, you
should pour the serum into a spray bottle and use it as a spray despite the manufacturer's
suggestion that the serum be applied directly to your scalp after shampoo. The reason I
suggest that the serum be used as a spray and not directly onto the scalp is because for
those of us who are on some kind of hair treamtent regimen every day, we need to ensure
that our scalp is dry and free from other topical agents in the morning so that we can use
our favorite hair treatment such as Rogaine, Crinagen, Xandrox etc etc.
Ingredients: Water, Acrylates Copolymer, Rosemary Extract, Chamomile Extract, Clary
(Salvia Sclarea) Extract, Menthol Eucalyptus Globulus Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract,
Dimethicone Copolyol, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Ginko Biloba Extract,
Retinol, Panthenol, Biotin, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Jojoba Oil, Seasame Oil, Krameria
Triandra Extract, and Methylparaben.
Celluplex Hair Thickening Shampoo: This shampoo contains the
same Celluplex complex as the topical serum mentioned above. In additiona, it also
contains a sunscreen. However, I doubt whether the shampoo alone will offer enough
protection against the sun. I am always skeptical as to exactly how much protection you
can get from something that you are going to rinse off anyway. As a result, you may want
to use this shampoo together with the Celluplex serum for better results. By itself, it is
a great shampoo that naturally adds body and volume to your hair without any harsh
chemicals. As with the Celluplex serum mentioned above, this shampoo contains tons of
herbal extracts.
Ingredients: Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide DEA, Rosemary
Extract, Chamomile Extract, Clary Salvia Sclarea Extract, Menthol, Eucalyptus Globulus
Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein,
Ginkgo Biloba Extract, Retinol, Panthenol, Biotin, aloe Barbadensis Extract, Jojoba Oil,
Seasame Oil, Krameria Triandra Extract, and Propylparaben.
Giovanni's Tea Tree Triple Treat Shampoo: Another shampoo
that contains natural suncreen. Again, my skeptisim is that how does one really know that
the sunscreen is on when you have to rinse off your hair anyway ? But in any case, this is
another product on the market that offers sunscreen for your hair and scalp protection.
Besides its selling point as a shampoo that contains sunscreen, the most appealing about
this shampoo is that this is probably one of the very very few shampoo in the market that
does not contain the harmful ingredient Sodium Laureth Sulfate or SLS. SLS is present in a
lot of the household cleaning products. Most household cleaning products contain SLS
because of its ability in generating lather and foam. In fact, you can find SLS commonly
used to clean garage floors of grease, and used as a degreaser in other prducts. SLS is a
very harsh chemical and some have even linked SLS to cancer. As a result, there is a
general consensus that it would be best to avoid SLS in the shampoo since SLS can damage
the hair follicles. (For detailed discussion about SLS in shampoo, please go to our
Discussion Group at http://www.hairsite.com/dissgroup.htm)
Tea Tree is a very well known natural antiseptic. The shampoo is also formulated with
Rosemary and Eucalyptus which condition and protect the hair and scalp from oxidizing
elements. The Tea Tree Triple Treat Shampoo is ideal for the followings:
1) As a natural skin antiseptic and moisturizer to alleviate dry flaking scalp associated
with scalp irritations. 2) To unclog pores and bring increased circulation to scalp. 3) To
clarify hair and scalp of dirt, chlorine, chemicals and build-up from other hair products.
4) As a sunscreen.
Ingredients: Tea Tree Oil, Peppermint Extract, Eucalyptus Extract, Rosemary Extract,
Nettles Extract, Thyme Extract, Birch Leaf Extract, Chamomile Extract, Sage Extract, St.
John Wort's Extract, Coltsfoot Extract, Yarrow Extract, Mallow Extract, Balm Mint Extract,
Grapefruit Seed Extract, Betaine Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Trace Minerals, Panthenol
Pro-Vitamin B5.
John Frieda's Thickening Spray With Sunscreen: This product
has few ingredients compared to others that are reviewed here. Yet, this is the only
product that contains BENZOPHENONE-3, the key medical ingredient for sunscreen. The only
drawback for this product is that it contains alcohol. (For a discussion on why alcohol is
not recommended, please see article # 61 in our Library.) Also, this product may not be
preferred by men since it contains fragrance as well.
Ingredients: Alcohol Denat, Water, PVP, PVP/VA, Copolymer, PEG-75 Lanolin, France
(perfume), Benzophenone-3.
HairSite Editorial
Questions, please email HairSite@aol.com
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