Sun damage is the biggest threat to hair health for holiday-makers, reveals a new report commissioned by Philip Kingsley.
Research by the hair care brand revealed that 26% of women in the UK found that sunshine was likely to cause the most hair damage while on holiday, with the same percentage suffering scalp burn.
Chlorine (25%) and sea salt water (18%) were second and third.
Despite having directly experienced damage caused by the elements, more than three-quarters of women still forget to take sun-protective hair care products on holiday.
The study questioned 2,000 women in the UK and found that a third of female consumers prioritised having great hair in holiday photos over flawless make-up and white teeth.
“Summer holidays may be one of the greatest times of the year but sadly, they can be one of the most stressful periods for the hair,” said Anabel Kingsley, Trichologist at Philip Kingsley.
“Instead of being left with the frustration and expense of rectifying this damage post-summer, it’s much better to use preventative measures.”
The report attributed the summer ‘beach waves’ trend as a major factor contributed to the state of hair health.
It noted that consumers trying to achieve the look may experience adverse hair health effects due to the increased use of hot styling tools and dehydrating salt sprays.
Kingsley said: “I advise women to shield their hair and scalp from summer damage in a similar way to how they protect their skin, for example, use protective sun care products containing UV filters and moisturising agents.”