If you can see the skin of your scalp, even for those with thinning hair, that skin needs to have sun protection, said DeRosa. There are fewer freckles and the skin doesn’t display as many signs of sun exposure,” said Deignan. “Hair provides a certain amount of baseline sun protection - the proof is to look at the scalp under the hair. Though all the doctors I spoke to recommended wearing sunscreen on your scalp no matter what the hair situation is like atop your head, they really emphasized its importance if you’re bald (or don’t have dark and thick hair, said DeRosa). They absorb quickly and they can also act as a dry shampoo, noted Green. Powder sunscreens are the best to use if you’re worried about greasiness - each doctor I spoke to noted that powder sunscreens avoided greasiness. Deignan noted that you should be careful to close your eyes and hold your breath when applying spray sunscreens. They tend not to leave a heavy, white residue. “They can cover a larger surface area with one mist,” Green said. Green added that a lotion sunscreen can be useful to wear if you’re going in the water, as it’s thicker and stays on the scalp longer than spray or powder sunscreens.Īll of the doctors I spoke to agreed that spray sunscreens are the easiest to apply. They’re the best choice for people who are bald. “Lotion are the most effective coverage but they’re not practical to apply to a scalp mostly covered with hair,” Deignan said. But regardless of whether you choose a powder or a lotion, sunscreens should have an SPF of at least 30 and they should be “broad spectrum,” meaning they protect against UVA and UVB rays. “The best scalp sunscreen depends on what works best for you,” Green said. Scalp sunscreens are readily available at drugstores, department stores and mega retailers, but which formula is the right fit for your needs? Shopping How face rollers benefit the skin How to shop for scalp sunscreens It has a 4.5-star average rating from more than 1,600 customer reviews on Amazon. DeRosa said it’s a 100% mineral sunscreen lotion that’s great for both “face and scalp coverage and also has the added benefit of correcting sun damage, including sun spots, and contains antioxidants to help prevent free radical damage, too.” DeRosa mentioned this is a great option for those without any hair. Eileen Deignan and DeRosa both suggested Elta MD. Lotions Elta MD UV Restore Broad Spectrum SPF 40īoard-certified dermatologist Dr. That said, we’re sharing some specific recommendations that doctors gave us, which protect against both UVA and UVB rays (commonly known as “broad spectrum” sunscreen), alongside highly-rated options from stores like Nordstrom, Amazon and Walmart. While some of the sunscreens mentioned below were designed specifically for your scalp, according to the brand (see: the Coola and Supergoop options), most that we’ve highlighted here are face sunscreens that can also work easily for your scalp. Best scalp sunscreensĭoctors continually tell us that the best scalp sunscreen is the one that you’ll actually use and regularly reapply. We also asked them to share some of their favorite product recommendations. Notably, their guidance depends on how much or little hair is on your head. To help you narrow in on worthwhile scalp SPF, we consulted doctors on how to shop for scalp sunscreen. Jaimie DeRosa, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, emphasized the risks in not protecting a part of the body usually covered by hair - which most people don’t think about, she added. Michele Green, a cosmetic dermatologist, told me. If there’s no hair on the scalp, it’s extra important to protect it with sunscreen or a UV-protective hat.” Dr. “Studies have shown that hair provides very little protection for your scalp, regardless of hair color. SKIP AHEAD How to shop for scalp sunscreens All the doctors I spoke to said the scalp was still at risk for sun exposure and UV damage - just like the rest of your skin - because it’s facing the direction of the sun. While you’ve definitely heard that you need to lather up your face and body to keep your skin safe and cancer-free from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays, you probably aren’t thinking about the top of your head.
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