Sun protection is recommended for all individuals – hair or not. However, individuals with hair loss on the scalp are more susceptible to sunburns on the head and other harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Hair helps to block UV radiation from reaching the surface of our skin, thus, when an individual loses their hair, they also lose some of that protection. Prolonged, unprotected (not using sunscreen or physical barriers) exposure to the sun increases one’s risk of developing skin cancer. Even people with hair are encouraged to wear a hat or spray their scalp with sunscreen if they’re going to be out in the sun for long periods of time.

Therefore, people with alopecia areata are encouraged to use sunscreen on their scalp or cover it with a hat, bandanna, scarf, or wig when out in the sun for long periods of time.