Protect your hair: Essential products to guard against sun damage

The summer season brings a sense of freedom and fun, but it’s primarily characterized by the sun and its effects, both positive and negative. To maintain healthy, vibrant hair by the end of the hot season, it’s important to minimize exposure to harmful UV rays, take protective measures, and use restorative products more frequently. We spoke with experts and received tips on how to keep your hair healthy, glowing, and vital even during the hot season.

“With rising temperatures, those who care for their hair notice that the color fades faster and the texture becomes rougher and drier,” says Adi Faraji, Training Manager at L'Oréal Professional and Kérastase, explaining why this happens: “In summer, the sun emits strong UVA and UVB radiation that can damage the outer protective layer (cuticle) of the hair, making it brittle and changing its color.

Since Israel has sunny days even in winter, it’s important to keep hair healthy all year round and adopt a consistent care routine.” So, what should you avoid and what should you focus on? We’ve gathered some explanations and recommendations:

Don’t Wash Daily - The hard water from Israeli taps dries out and weighs down the hair. Research shows that water itself can dry out and damage hair fibers over time, especially with daily washing. Moreover, tap and pool water contain tiny metal particles that negatively affect hair color. Washing twice or three times a week is sufficient.Stay Hydrated - Drinking water affects skin moisture and consequently hair health! Ensure a regular intake of essential fluids; your hair will thank you later.

Loosen the Ponytail - Tight hairstyles contribute to breakage. Many women complain about "shedding," but in at least half of the cases, it’s hair breaking in the middle due to tension or aggressive brushing. Since hair is often tied up more in summer, these issues are more frequent. Loose styles or braids can help.

Protection and Drying - Before any drying, curling, or straightening, it’s important to apply a dedicated heat protection cream, and ideally, let hair dry naturally when possible. Use a moisturizing cream suited to your hair type and condition.

“Many women deal with dry, lackluster hair with split ends. According to Pantene research, about 90% of women believe their hair has suffered irreversible damage over the years, prompting many to seek solutions for restoring a healthy, beautiful look,” say experts from the Pantene hair care brand.

Adding to this, Revital Hadad, Senior Marketing and Business Development Manager at the international hair care company Moroccanoil, notes: “In the Israeli summer, the high humidity often undoes our hair styling efforts as soon as we step outside, causing frizz and unwanted curls.” Many products are designed specifically to address these issues.

Three Complexes

The toiletry brand Neka 7 has launched a new series with an advanced formula for gentle cleansing of hair and scalp, including shampoo and conditioner in three types, each with a unique complex: one for moisturizing and preventing split ends, one for flexibility and softness, and one for enriched hydration. These products are paraben- and phthalate-free and not tested on animals. Consumer price: NIS 13, available at retail and pharmacy chains nationwide.

No to Frizz

Moroccanoil’s frizz control series promises tamed, smooth hair in any weather. The products include a special blend of natural oils like argan oil, recycled jackfruit extract for increased durability, and nori extract for vitality. The series includes five anti-frizz products: shampoo, conditioner, light styling spray, intensive softening serum, and moisturizing cream. Price range: NIS 95-129, available in salons and authorized stores, by phone: 03-9511086, and on the brand’s website.

One Use, Two Years of Damage Repair

L'Oréal Professional’s Absolut Repair Molecular series promises a breakthrough in repairing and rebuilding damaged hair with patented 'Bond Peptides' that penetrate the hair structure. The result: repair of two years' worth of damage in one use. The series includes shampoo, serum, and mask, priced at NIS 160-185 each, available at authorized L'Oréal Professional salons and Super-Pharm.

Metal on the Head

L'Oréal Professional’s Metal Detox series addresses metal buildup from water that damages hair, causing breakage and color change. After seven years of research, L'Oréal Professional developed the patented Glycoamine that penetrates hair fibers and neutralizes metals. Price: mask: 209 shekels, shampoo: NIS 85, available at authorized L'Oréal Professional salons and Super-Pharm.

Proteins and Vitamins

Kérastase’s Nutritive series offers three levels of intensity for preventing dryness in dry hair. The products contain active, restorative ingredients like plant proteins, niacinamide, and vitamin compounds. Prices: shampoo: NIS 120, nourishing mask: NIS 190, leave-in night serum: NIS 190, split end serum: NIS 190, available at hair salons nationwide.

Hair Like Hers

Singer and presenter Anna Zak, in collaboration with SACARA, offers the PROTEIN COLLECTION for hair care and nourishment: salt-free shampoo, nourishing mask, leave-in conditioner, and nourishing serum, all enriched with a triple complex of keratin, collagen, and vitamin C. Prices: shampoo: 30 shekels, nourishing mask: 35 shekels, leave-in conditioner: NIS 40.

Restorative Formulas

HASK’s restorative series for damaged and colored hair includes professional formulas with repairing ingredients. The products are free from sulfates, phthalates, parabens, gluten, drying alcohols, and artificial colors. Consumer price: NIS 35 for shampoo/conditioner, available at Super-Pharm.

Molecular Renewal

Pantene’s Molecular Bond Repair premium series offers up to 100% molecular-level hair renewal with patented Pro-V pearls. The series includes protective shampoo, strengthening conditioner, repairing mask, and renewing balm. Prices: NIS 21-40, available at Super-Pharm.

Red Carpet Hair

Israeli-international professional cosmetics brand Hikari Laboratories presents Red Carpet Hair serum enriched with the revolutionary anti-aging ingredient NAD-NOBEL, a patent developed with scientists from the Hebrew University. The serum is designed for hair restoration, scalp care, and a velvety appearance. Price: NIS 178, available from selected beauticians.

Ice Cream-Flavored Restoration

Milkshake’s hair repair lotion for all hair types contains organic butter and fruit extracts with 12 effects: repair, frizz control, split end prevention, heat protection, long-lasting styling, easier combing, shine, volume, styling assistance, color protection, UV protection, and cuticle softening. Price: NIS 109, available in selected salons nationwide.

The Glow Returns

Pinuk’s new premium series, GLOW, offers professional solutions for various hair types:

STRAIGHT: sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner with collagen and keratin for straightened hair.CURLY: sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner with collagen and hyaluronic acid for curly hair.LONG: sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner with collagen and ceramide for long hair.Price per item: NIS 20, available at retail and pharmacy chains.

Fresh Roots

L'Oréal Paris’ Elvive brand introduces the HYDRA PURE series for summer, pool, and sea damage. The series combines salicylic acid for cleansing and balancing, and hyaluronic acid for increased moisture, with a unique formula for oily scalps that provides gentle scalp exfoliation, ensuring up to 72 hours of fresh roots and hydrated lengths without weighing hair down. Prices: shampoo/conditioner: NIS 20, mask: NIS 50, available at pharmacy chains and online.

Successful Drying

Olaplex No. 7 protects hair structure, enhances shine, and adds softness. It contains UV filters, shortens drying time, reduces static, and protects against heat during drying, straightening, or curling. Price: NIS 180, available in selected salons and on Gideon Cosmetics’ website.

Acid Against Static

JUL’s REPAIR series restorative serum for damaged or dry hair contains hyaluronic acid and hemp oil for hair repair. The serum adds shine and vitality, helps treat split ends, and reduces static. Price: NIS 119. Suitable for use before heat styling. Available in selected salons and on Gideon Cosmetics’ website.

Against Seven Damages

TRESemmé’s Biotin and Repair 7 series with biotin and Pro-Bond complex repairs seven types of hair damage: blow-drying, bleaching, brushing, straightening, coloring, braiding, and curling, strengthening hair fibers. Price for shampoo/conditioner: 21 shekels, repairing mask: NIS 34, available at retail and pharmacy chains.

No Need to Travel Far

Hawaiian hair care brand introduces a keratin complex shampoo and conditioner for fine or weak hair with a new formula that strengthens hair fibers from within, providing silkiness, hydration, reduced breakage, easier combing, a healthy look, and a long-lasting scent. Price: NIS 15 per item, available at retail and pharmacy chains nationwide.