Is Sunscreen Safe For Hair Extensions? 

We’ve all heard about the importance of using sunscreen.

It’s a key part of your skincare routine to shield your skin from the damaging effects of the sun. If you’re going to spend time outside and enjoy the beautiful weather and positive vibes, sunscreen will help keep your skin safe and healthy.

But what if you wear hair extensions and get sunscreen on them? Will the ingredients in the sunscreen bottle play nicely with hair extensions or can it ruin them?

The use of hair extensions has been immensely popular for many years. These extensions not only provide women with an additional confidence boost, but also help with hair loss, hair thinning, and overall hair enhancement. 

With the popularity of extensions, it leads to a very common question for many, “is sunscreen safe for hair extensions?”

And, if not, what damage can sunscreen do to your extensions?

So let’s dig in and get the low down on whether sunscreen and hair extensions play nicely together.  

Is Sunscreen Safe For Hair Extensions? 

The short answer to that is it depends.

There are a lot of sunscreens depending and a lot of different ingredients that go into them. Some sunscreens are safe for hair extensions, while others are not.

Because hair is porous, it readily absorbs whatever is applied to it, and this is especially true when hair is dry. Extensions are an investment that can last anywhere from six months to a year if they are properly maintained and cared for.

It is essential that you are aware of which sunscreens are suitable for use with your hair extensions. Certain sunscreens contain components that, when applied to hair extensions, result in the hair taking on an orange hue.

So, yes, your go-to sunscreen has the potential to leave a stain on your hair extensions. This is much like how certain types of sunscreen and other beauty products can leave stains on clothing (especially blonde hair extensions).

Sunscreens That Are Not Safe For Hair Extensions

The oil-soluble chemical Avobenzone (Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane) is used in sunscreen lotions to absorb the entire spectrum of UVA rays. 

Octocrylene is added as a stabilizer as Avobenzone degrades in the presence of light. Together, they are present in varying amounts in sun protectors.

When these substances come into contact with hair extensions and are exposed to UV light, a process known as Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) causes the cells to break down. 

After rinsing the hair in the water, the electron particles from the minerals in the water (Iron, Copper, Magnesium, Calcium, and Silica) connect to the hair cells, causing a chemical reaction and coloring the hair orange.

The secret to obtaining the ideal SPF for your skin and clip-in extensions is to avoid sunscreens containing Avobenzone and Octocrylene and instead use a mineral-based, rub-on sunscreen.

Which Sunscreen Is Safe For Hair Extensions 

Using a mineral-based sunscreen is important when you have hair extensions.

How To Keep Your Extensions Safe

To wrap things up here, let’s go over some tips to help you keep your extensions safe. 

First, try to keep your hair up and away from your skin when applying sunscreen so that no product gets into your hair. This will aid in preventing product buildup or undesirable texture on your hair extensions.

The summer can create some other dangers for hair extensions. For example, chlorine is not the best thing for hair. 

When swimming in the pool or ocean, one thing you can do to protect your hair is to apply a leave-in conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair and pull it back into a ponytail. 

Also note, it is not a good idea to braid your hair when swimming because it can produce tangles.