the sun is frying my hair

[Anonymous]

Where can I buy Redkin products in DC or SilverSpring/College Park areas? I want to try the Redkin Color Extend Sun shampoo and conditioner. The sun has turned my color-treated brown hair to blond and soon to straw. I'm in the sun about 3-4 hours a day, with a hat on but my hair is fading and drying out quickly.

Or is there another product that someone can recommend?

[Anonymous]

Ugh! There are several shampoos or sprays that contain SPF, but I'm not sure how effective they are. I always had trouble with my hair when it was color treated or highlighted - like yours it would bleach out (even if it was low-lighted) and turn to straw. I eventually just grew it out to its natural color and have not had any problems since - in fact, my hair is in the best shape its ever been in since I quit putting chemicals on it.

My hair is kind of a light brown; I think it compliments my skin tone perfectly (why wouldn't it? It's my natural color!) I'll admit, it was hard to get used to not being a blonde and I still sometimes think I should go back to highlighting it, but I'm not into the hassle anymore! I think my perspective has changed as well - now I kind of get angry when hair stylists say, "You NEED to get highlights..." because I feel like it's just a marketing ploy to keep you going back every 6-8 weeks and forking out $70+ for highlights.

[Anonymous]

I appreciate your sympathies. I wish I could go natural but I have a head full of white hair so there's no going back. I wear a hat that is rated SPF 50 (supposedly) and I have been conditioning like crazy. Haven't bought the Redkin supplies yet but plan to. Was just wondering if there were other comparable products that were worth looking at.

[Anonymous]

OP, do you get your hair professionally colored, or do you do it yourself? I noticed when I used to get mine professionally done, the sun wouldn't do anything to it. Now that I do it myself, it's bleached out in a matter of days if I'm out in the sun.

If you are a do-it-yourself-er, the professional option might really help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I appreciate your sympathies. I wish I could go natural but I have a head full of white hair so there's no going back. I wear a hat that is rated SPF 50 (supposedly) and I have been conditioning like crazy. Haven't bought the Redkin supplies yet but plan to. Was just wondering if there were other comparable products that were worth looking at.

Ah. I understand. While I can't recommend a product, I did find this online - it gives basic details on what to look for in a product that will block/absorb sun:
http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip027.htm

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Yes, I do use box color. I wish I could pay for professional color but not this year. Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

I also saw a Paul Mitchell spray that says it's sunscreen for colored hair. You spray it on damp hair. I want to learn what ingredients to look for before buying it.