10 Under $50 Products That Will Protect Your Hair & Scalp From the Sun

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With the sun shining brighter and warmer days ahead, it’s time for beach trips, picnics, and outdoor fun. But hold up — while we’re diligent about slathering on sunscreen for our faces and bodies, let’s not forget about our hair and scalp! Turns out, they need some TLC too, especially when it comes to fending off those UV rays.

According to the wise words of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Neda Mehr, leaving our locks and scalp unprotected is a big no-no. They’re right there, soaking in all that sunlight, which can spell trouble like skin cancer if we’re not careful.

Dr. Mehr explained to E! that skin cancer cases often occur on the scalp, emphasizing, “A lot of times we see people who get skin cancer in their hair part.” She noted the hair’s role in providing some protection to the skin, leading to a higher incidence of cancer in this area. However, Dr. Mehr cautioned that the sun can still damage the hair itself, elaborating on the hair’s protective cuticle. “The hair has an outer sheath called a cuticle that protects the hair,” she said, “but UVA and UVB rays from the sun can burn that cuticle down and cause frayed, frizzy hair that’s easily broken. It’s similar to if you use a hairdryer on a very hot setting.”