The nostalgia hits differently when you carry that Sun-In bottle along with you on the beach.
The sun illuminates your hair, and you feel at the top of the world. The famous 80’s lightener spray may make a comeback as summer rolls along, after all.
These days, Sun-In has faded into the background, and you barely hear about it in the recommendation list of bloggers and beauty magazines.
There are many negative reviews, and it doesn’t seem as effective as the new lighteners in the market. It looks like you may have to ditch it.
But, do you? Is Sun-In bad for your hair? Or is there a chance of reviving your old favorite?
Is Sun-In Spray bad for your hair?
Yikes, it seems that you are now getting past the trip down memory lane and demanding real answers.
Well, a product is only as bad as what’s inside it.
According to CVS, the two active ingredients of Sun-in lightener spray are lemon and hydrogen peroxide. It also contains aloe and chamomile extract.
Hydrogen peroxide is a lightener that often comes with permanent hair dyes. It is one of the most common bleaching agents.
It works by oxidizing the pigment melanin in your hair cortex. The deep penetration within the follicle means that the skin is vulnerable to irritation, allergic reaction, and burns. It can potentially suppress hair growth.
Lemon, on the other hand, is a natural bleaching agent. It has been a DIY staple in the summertime. Citric acid speeds up the lightening process brought by the sun’s UV rays to your hair.
So hydrogen peroxide + lemon + UV makes Sun-In a very effective lightener. That’s the magic you saw when you were a teenager!
But compelling as it is, the ingredients can be harmful to your hair and your scalp, especially in excess— which, to be honest, is how you get the beach vibes in your hair without stepping in a salon.
It can also be bad aesthetically too.
Some reviews stated that their hair has become orange from a gorgeous dark brown. Some said it can over-lighten your hair even after you have shampooed it out.
While it is true that it isn’t Thanos-level bad as hair dyes could be, it still has the potential to ruin your hair.
Does Sun-In hair lightener damage your hair?
Maybe getting all the facts about the ingredient isn’t budging your mind yet about Sun-In. After all, everyone has varying hair health.
Many have chemically processed their hairs repeatedly and never seem to be in trouble.
Still, it’s wise to understand the damage this product might do to your hair. So, does Sun-In spray damage your hair?
It turns out the answer is yes. Too much dryness in your hair due to hydrogen peroxide may cause brittleness and weaken it to the point of breakage.
Hence, you should never blast your hair with it. Just 1-2 spritz here and there, enough to give you that glow you want. The sooner you stop, the less damage your hair will suffer.
Does Sun-In spray cause baldness?
It depends on how long, how often, and how much you sprayed Sun-In lightener.
According to the Belgravia Centre in London, hydrogen peroxide, the main ingredient in Sun-In, induces thinning and, worse, hair loss.
That’s why you must not abuse the bottle of Sun-In that you have now, as this can damage your follicle and gradually make you bald.
It’s necessary that when you use Sun-In, you use it only 2 to 3 times a week.
It would be best if you also moisturize and deeply-condition afterward. This will strengthen your hair and restore the protein levels it needs to be healthy.
Is Sun-In better than dyeing hair?
If you have fair-colored hair and want to draw attention to it, there is no need to go to the salon or research a reliable DIY method. Sun-In can easily give you that.
However, if you have dark hair, you might want to stop yourself for a bit.
Sun-In is better than dyeing because it exposes you to fewer chemicals. Less harsh chemicals equal fewer hair problems and expensive treatments.
With correct technique and control, it can even look like you have done an excellent DIY job!
Permanent hair dyes work with alkalizing agents and bleach, which can heavily damage your hair. By now, you know that.
However, with all the Youtube tutorials and Google to answer every little inquiry you have, it’s easy not to mess up a DIY dye job today.
Results-wise, if you want a dramatic change, Sun-In isn’t even comparable to your box dyes.
Sun-In only works very well for those with blonde and natural hair. Highlights on blonde hair do not look odd, but copper and brassy streaks on brown hair do.
If you have dyed hair, it may also result in an unnatural and unexpected shade once hydrogen peroxide lifts the color in your hair.
So don’t go rushing too soon. No one wants to walk outside and feel awful about their hair color.
Is Sun-In permanent?
Do you love that sun-kissed effect? Good news for you! Sun-In is permanent. Are you not loving it? Unfortunate for you then.
Sun-In lightener spray works much like your hair dyes which use an oxidizer. Bleach penetrates and destroys your hair color, leaving your hair shaft empty. Unless you dye it, the lightened color of your hair will remain.
Don’t be totally disappointed, though.
If there is no damage to the follicles themselves, healthy hair will grow back, and you can just trim your hair to get rid of the section that appears dry or brittle.
It takes patience, avoiding chemical treatments, and heat styling too often, but regrets will be out of your mind once you see your healthy locks again!
And if you are someone who finds Sun-In a true must-have, then congratulations and enjoy it as much as you can!
Does lightening spray damage your hair?
Not all of them!
Even sprays containing peroxide have additional ingredients that lessen the adverse effects it may have on your hair.
Today’s formula is a long way from the 80s, so do not forsake your love for lightening sprays just because you find one that doesn’t suit you!
Your experience with lightening sprays shouldn’t be full of anxiety over how much damage your hair will deal with today or the days to come.
These days, Sun-In’s formula still contains hydrogen peroxide, but they’re reformulated to be alcohol-free with added botanical extracts to offset the drying effect of lemon and peroxide.
Every day you encounter news of brands that choose gentler and more effective formulations for their products. That includes lightener sprays too! Thankfully, you’ll find lighteners that don’t contain hydrogen peroxide.
Alternatives to Sun-In
The reliable options in the market have moisturizers included in the ingredient list and are safe to use every day. Some even don’t require you to bake yourself in the sun’s harmful UV rays!
Who are these brands, and what are these products? You may ask.
Well, here are recommendations to get you started.
1. IGK Summertime Lightening spray
Pros: All vegan and does not contain peroxide
Cons: Activates in the sun, so you may want to slather that sunscreen just to be sure. The change is also gradual.
2. Klorane Chamomile and Honey Sun Lightening spray
Pros: It is gentle enough to use every day for up to 3 weeks and void of peroxide, ammonia, sulfates, and parabens. It also gives golden highlights to medium-brown hair.
Cons: It may be too heavy, especially for those with fine hair.
The following lightener sprays are highly reviewed but contain potentially harsh chemicals. Nevertheless, they are worth checking out.
3. dpHue Sun & City Mist
Pros: It has UV protection and protects color-treated hair from the sun and pollution.
4. John Frieda Sheer Blonde, Go Blonder
Pros: It is widely and positively reviewed and can change your hair up to two shades lighter.
When deciding which lightener spray to buy, determine your hair goal first.
Do you want it sparkling under the sun, or would you rather have the slow but effective lightening?
Whatever your choice is, always make sure to do post-care treatments so you can celebrate more good hair days!
FAQs
Does Sun-In have bleach in it?
Sun-In contains peroxide as its active ingredient.
A bleaching agent found in permanent hair dyes, hydrogen peroxide, destroys the hair’s pigment and lightens the hair in the process.
That said, it’s not the same as bleach.
So no, Sun-in DOES NOT have bleach.
Is Sun-In hair lightener damaging?
Yes, it can be, especially when used daily. Hydrogen peroxide can cause dryness and brittleness in your hair. If used in excess and for too long, it may result in hair loss.
CHECK OUT: What To Use Instead of Hairspray: 6 Alternatives
Bottomline
While Sun-In can definitely be a cheap alternative to bleaching, it is limited to blonde to medium brown hair. It could also give you unexpected results if you don’t limit the amount you spray on your hair.
Overall, Sun-In is one of those products which may work for you splendidly. Even if it does, it’s still good to be cautious about the harm it may do to your hair.