A leading dermatologist has shared a major concern people should be mindful of when it comes to their hair – and it isn’t heat damage.
Keeping our hair in tip-top condition and maintaining its health and lustre is a common goal for many of us. Having strong, shiny hair can do wonders for our contentment and self-confidence.
It’s no surprise then that many people turn to social media looking for expert advice and guidance on how to ensure their hair is at its best and healthiest. Thankfully, there’s a hoard of professionals in a variety of fields who are happy to share their experience and guidance to millions of people online.
Dr Aamna Adel, a dermatologist registrar based in London, is one expert who’s built a devoted following on social media after regularly sharing her wisdom and professional opinion in a string of well received videos on TikTok. The popular pro talks about a wide range of skin problems and haircare concerns, sharing tips and recommendations for mitigating them.
In a recent video, the dermatologist – who specialises in hair – can be seen blasting her hair with a hair dryer. Over the top of the simple footage, she added the statement: “everyone’s worried about heat damage [but] why is [nobody] talking about UV equally wrecking your hair…”
In the caption accompanying the clip, she added: “Heat damage is the least of your worries”. Fellow TikTok users flocked to the comments section to share their thoughts. One person said: “Don’t tell me I’ve to apply SPF on my hair now”, to which Dr Adel replied: “Basically yes”.
What is SPF?
SPF stands for “sun protection factor”. According to the NHS: “The sun protection factor, or SPF, is a measure of the amount of ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) protection.
“SPFs are rated on a scale of 2 to 50+ based on the level of protection they offer, with 50+ offering the strongest form of UVB protection. The star rating measures the amount of ultraviolet A radiation (UVA) protection. You should see a star rating of up to 5 stars on UK sunscreens. The higher the star rating, the better.”
In a further comment beneath her video, Dr Adel said: “The reason why your hair gets so dry on holiday”, in reference to potential UV damage people may experience while abroad in sunnier climates.
Other TikTok users lamented about potentially having to add a further step to their health and beauty routines. One person said: “Please – I can’t catch up any more”.
Another quipped: “You know what, I’m dropping my whole routine [crying face emoji] the amount of stress it’s causing me, I’m better off using nothing.” Others shared they use leave-in conditioning sprays that come with UV protection as an added benefit.
If you’re concerned about your hair, or you’re experiencing hair loss or any other significant issues, it’s best to consult your GP for a personalised consultation and treatment plan.