Wet hair under the sun can lead to burns and cancer

Many beachgoers don't think about the danger of wet hair under the scorching sun; yet water on hair creates a "lens effect," amplifying the impact of ultraviolet radiation several times over.

This was explained to gazeta.ru by dermatologist and trichologist Natalia Zhovtan.

"Water on hair acts like a dielectric lens: droplets refract and focus UV rays on the scalp surface and hair shafts, increasing the local radiation dose several times over," the expert explains.

A wet head under the sun is a direct path to overheating and burns that may not be noticeable right away. The risk of skin cancer increases.

"Water has high heat capacity, creating a 'greenhouse effect' at the roots, reducing natural heat dissipation," says Zhovtan. And evaporation creates a sensation of coolness, masking the onset of a burn while the deeper layers of skin are already receiving a dangerous dose of radiation.

The effects of the sun don't appear immediately. For hair, it means porosity, brittleness, and pigment fading.

"The result after 2-4 weeks is trichorrhexis, micro-holes, an irreversible process," the doctor emphasizes. For the scalp, it means persistent pigmentation spots and an increased risk of skin cancer, especially in the part line area. At particular risk are blond and red-haired individuals, as well as men experiencing hair loss.

To avoid the consequences, the doctor advises:

- immediately after swimming, blot hair with a towel (don't rub!);

- apply mineral SPF 50+ based on zinc oxide to the scalp, especially along the part line;

- wear a wide-brimmed hat — it protects from both direct and reflected rays;

- use leave-in sprays with UV filters for the cuticle;

- avoid swimming without a head covering from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

"Protection doesn't require heroic efforts, but it prevents serious health problems," Zhovtan concludes.