Human Hair as a Natural Sun Protection Agent: A Quantitative Study

February 2015 in “ Photochemistry and Photobiology ”

María Victoria de Gálvez, José Aguilera, Jean-Luc Bernabó, Cristina Sánchez-Roldán, Enrique Herrera-Ceballos

UVB radiation UVA radiation melanins hair ultraviolet protection factor HUPF UV-induced skin cancers UVB UVA melanin sun protection factor SPF skin cancer

TLDR Hair acts as a significant natural sun barrier, with protection increasing based on hair density, thickness, and melanin presence.

The 2015 study "Human Hair as a Natural Sun Protection Agent: A Quantitative Study" conducted by María Victoria de Gálvez and her team at the University of Málaga, Spain, investigated the photoprotective effect of hair. The study found that hair provides a significant barrier against both UVB and UVA radiation, with the level of protection increasing with hair density, thickness, and the presence of melanins. This was the first study to quantify the sun protection factor offered by hair, introducing the term hair ultraviolet protection factor (HUPF). The researchers concluded that hair should be recognized as an important natural sun barrier in the prevention of UV-induced skin cancers.

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research Human Hair as a Natural Sun Protection Agent: A Quantitative Study

16 citations, February 2015 in “Photochemistry and Photobiology”

Hair acts as a significant natural sun barrier, with protection increasing based on hair density, thickness, and melanin presence.