By Dahvi Shira

Swimsuits and sunshine are all we need during these sweet summer months. But the warm, relaxing heat doesn’t hit us without risk. And we’re not just talking about damage to our skin. UV rays are ultraviolet radiation emitted from the sun, and they can take a toll on our hair, too. Think tanning beds (those kinds of rays).

UV rays can affect the hair by causing brittleness, dryness, color-fading and breakage. Known as photodamage, you put yourself at guaranteed risk the moment you step into the sun. That said, you have the ability to protect your hair to some degree, just as you can protect your skin with SPF.

NatureLab.TOKYO offers a selection of products designed to combat damage from the sun and other environmental factors. We don’t expect you to ditch the heat altogether. But we do encourage you to be mindful about caring for your hair.

Nourishing and Protecting Your Tresses After a Day Under the Sun 

1. Perfect Repair Shampoo & Conditioner Duo

Whether you’re about to hit the waves or you’ve just stepped away, this powerhouse duo (and one of our best-sellers) was formulated to nourish and protect. This color-safe cleansing and conditioning set features a rich blend of ingredients, including bamboo extract, argan oil, and prickly pear oil, to deeply moisturize and fortify hair with every wash.

2. Perfect Repair Treatment Masque

No matter how much heat or sun damage you have, it can’t hurt to opt for a treatment mask. This award-winning deep conditioning treatment, with botanical ingredients like bamboo extract, smart keratin, coconut oil, and prickly pear oil, intensely hydrates and adds shine to dry, damaged strands. It's also proven to strengthen hair and reduce breakage by up to 80% (as measured in an independent third party laboratory).

3. Perfect Clean 2-in-1 Scalp Scrub & Clarifying Shampoo 

Feeling the build-up? Hot weather can lead to more sweat and sebum collecting on the scalp, which if not properly cleansed, could lead to blocked follicles and inhibit hair health. Our award-winning 2-in-1 powerhouse clarifies and exfoliates to thoroughly remove impurities for optimal hair and scalp health. The unique foaming formula contains gentle ingredients, including sugar crystals, sake water, hyaluronic acid, and platinum fiber to hydrate, balance and add a natural shine.

4. Kiseki Molecular Repair Leave-In Hair Masque

When your hair needs intense revival (think right after vacation), try this fast-acting customer favorite designed to reverse damage at the molecular level, showing signs of repair in just four minutes This restorative treatment contains four types of plant peptides with low molecular weights and proprietary technology to improve absorption for deeper repair. It's also proven to reduce breakage and frizz, close split ends, and improve manageability -- all with a lightweight formula that doesn't weigh hair down.

Sunrays aren't the only kind of heat that can lead to damaged hair. If your hair is subjected to regular use of hot tools, here’s how to keep it protected!