Protect yourself from the sun's rays from head (scalp) to toe. (Getty Images)(photoman via Getty Images)
Like a lot of people, when I was younger, I didn't prioritize wearing sunscreen. I visited tanning beds, got burned often and even blistered a few times. Now in my early 30s, I slather on SPF and opt for self-tanner. But earlier this summer, my dermatologist still found a small cancerous spot, basal cell carcinoma, on my hairline. While it's surprisingly common, I was disappointed and bummed to have a new, lifelong scar. My experience has made me obsessed with trying out new sunscreens, and I never go outside without especially protecting my face and scalp. Yes, sunscreens like Sun Bum's Scalp and Hair Mist are a thing, and more necessary than you may think.
Pack this small bottle in your beach bag to protect your hair and scalp!
This floppy hat is great for a day in the sun — it has a wide brim and offers UPF 50 protection. The fact that it's stylish and that you can roll it up to pack it in a bag or a suitcase is even better. Take it on your next beach vacation.
"The scalp is one of the most sensitive areas on the body to sunburn, and an area where skin cancers can develop over time," said Dr. Jason Miller, MD board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New Jersey. "Those with thinner hair or areas of balding are at higher risk and would benefit the most from sunscreen (or protective clothing such as hats)."
If thinning hair concerns you, protecting your scalp with SPF is crucial. Sunburn on the scalp not only causes irritating flaking as it heals but can also damage follicles and impact your hair’s overall health. Dr. Miller says that your "hair health is related to [the] overall health of your scalp, which can be affected by severe or multiple sunburns." It's just another reason to watch your head!
If you're not a hat person, to protect your scalp, you can rub your regular sunscreen in — especially where your hair parts. But I personally love a lightweight, scalp-specific spray, like Sun Bum's Sunscreen Scalp and Hair Mist. It doesn't make your hair feel overly greasy or weighed down. Simply spray it around your scalp and around your hairline.
The mist has an SPF 30 to protect against UVA and UVB rays to prevent your scalp from burning, and it's water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so you can wear it in the pool or the sea. Not only does it protect, it has hair-nourishing benefits: It contains sea kelp and algae to keep your hair from drying out, and the SPF could also prevent your color from fading in the sun (if you dye it).
As an added bonus, it smells amazing. Like all of Sun Bum's products, this mist smells like a mix of coconut, saltwater and fruity cocktails — basically, a tropical, beachy vacation.
Amazon shoppers have good things to say about it too. "I have super thin hair and every time I spend time in the sun, my scalp burns. It’s inevitable. Not anymore!" said a happy shopper. "It sprays on easily, smells great, and did not make my hair feel very greasy. It also kept my scalp from getting burned at all during a four-day beach trip. My best friend who was with me also used it, also has thin hair, and also did not get sunburnt on her scalp."
One parent shared that they use it on little kids even. "When having babies that have little to no hair or hate to wear sun hats, this is for you!" they wrote. "Sprays on very easily, and keeps their scalps nice and protected. No sunburns here! Also, the scent smells very good, makes you feel like you are somewhere tropical."
So if you're going outside anytime soon and you put sunscreen on your face, don't skip out on your scalp. Give this mist a shot — you can get it on Amazon and with Prime, shipped to you fast. Trust me, you'll be glad you started protecting yourself sooner rather than later.
And if you like wearing hats, get one that shades your face and the back of your neck, like this floppy top-seller from Amazon.
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
