Princess Diana's hair stylist warns that grey hair is very vulnerable to certain damage

A celebrity stylist who has worked magic on the hair of Princess Diana,Gwyneth Paltrow, and George Michael has divulged his ultimate summer care secret. Nicky Clarke OBE revealed that this tip, which has gained popularity on TikTok, is essential for maintaining fresh hair during the sweltering months.

The advice comes at a crucial time for sun-seekers, as the impact of the sun's rays on hair can be quite drastic. "One of the easiest things you can do is purchase hair products formulated with UV protection," Nicky explained in a previous interview with Vitabiotics, according to the Express.

"It's second nature to protect our skin from excessive sun exposure, but many people either don't realise or highly underestimate the damaging power of the sun on your locks." It may come as a surprise to learn that human hair is prone to UV damage - just like our skin is.

Like the rest of our body, scalps can also burn in the sun, heightening the risk of skin cancer. Nicky noted that the sun's rays can break down the protein structures in hair, resulting in lifeless, dry, and brittle strands.

Greying hair is especially susceptible to this due to its melanin content. During the interview last year, Nicky continued: "If you have grey hair, then you must be extra diligent with your hair care protection.

"Grey hair can also be left with a slight yellow tinge on the top layer, so it's essential to apply protective products or even wear a hat if you can. As grey hair has less melanin, it's more vulnerable to UV, which can leave it super brittle and porous."

The hair expert's advice follows a TikTok video that circulated in 2022, where content creator Daviana (@itsdavianaa) emphasised the importance of protecting your hair from sun damage while showcasing various salon beauty products.

Amidst a plethora of UV hair protection products available, Nicky particularly endorses LifeSaver UV from the Michael Van Clarke professional range. Having been tested in the extreme heat of Israel's Negev desert and the tropical climes of the Maldives, he regards it as unparalleled.

He said: "Its proven ability to protect from thinning, breakage and colour fade is unmatched. As a leave-in styling product, it's the year-round go-to for soft frizz-free waves...Our hair is just as susceptible to UV damage, which weakens the protein structures and removes moisture, leaving hair dull and brittle."

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How to correctly apply sun cream this summer

Besides protecting your scalp and hair from the sun, it is essential to look after your skin. For best results, it is advised to apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going outside.

Niamh McMillan, Superdrug Pharmacy Superintendent, previously told the Mirror: "It's best to apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going outside. It should then be reapplied to exposed areas, 15 to 30 minutes after sun exposure."

She continued: "We all have different skin types, so it is important to choose the right type of sunscreen for your skin. The SPF is commonly interpreted as how much longer skin covered with sunscreen takes to burn, compared to unprotected skin.

"So, if you burn after 10 minutes in the sun, then using a sunscreen labelled with, say, SPF15, is taken to mean that you can safely remain in the sun for 10 x 15 = 150 minutes, or two-and-a-half hours, before burning."