Sunburn can occur within 15 minutes of sun exposure, even though symptoms may not appear for several hours. While your hair mostly protects your scalp, the skin on your head is still vulnerable to burning. In fact, your scalp receives more direct UV exposure than any other part of your body simply because it is closest to the sun. Protecting your scalp from sunburn requires little time or effort and can save you a considerable amount of pain and reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.
Step 1
Apply sunscreen to your scalp at least 30 minutes before going outside. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, recommends choosing a broad-spectrum product with three or more active ingredients. Reapply the sunscreen every one to two hours and after swimming or sweating. Some sunscreens are specifically marketed for use on the scalp, but any normal sunscreen will work.
Step 2
Wear a wide-brimmed hat when at the beach, gardening or spending any significant amount of time outdoors. A wide-brimmed hat offers scalp protection and will also shade your face and shoulders.
Step 3
Avoid spending time outdoors during peak sun hours. According to the CDC, the sun's UVB rays are most intense between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. UVB rays are primarily responsible for causing sunburn and increase the risk of skin cancer.
Step 4
Look for shady areas to sit in or use a sun umbrella whenever possible. Avoiding direct sunlight will minimize your scalp's exposure to the sun and your chances of burning.
Tips and Warnings
- Pulling your hair back in a ponytail will cover your part and help protect your scalp from sunburn. Apply sunscreen before putting on insect repellents or cosmetics. SPF, or sun protective factor, refers to the amount of additional protection the product provides against the sun's UVB rays, according to the CDC. For a person who burns in 30 minutes of unprotected sun exposure, a product with SPF 15 provides 30 x 15 minutes of additional UVB protection, or 450 minutes.
- The Mayo Clinic warns that sunburn can occur even under cloudy conditions. Being unable to see the sun does not mean your scalp is protected.
Things You'll Need
- Sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher
- Wide-brimmed hat
- Sun umbrella
