Last night, I spent three hours in a braiding salon in Harlem getting large triangle-part braids for a quick trip to Miami. I don’t love how they turned out, but with the heat and humidity waiting for me, I wasn’t sure what else to do with my hair. My go-to twist out felt risky, ninety-five degrees is not “wig weather” for me, and I don’t want to spend my entire trip fighting frizz. Braids didn’t really feel like a “choice,” but more like a default.
Packing my skincare felt easier. I packed one of my favorite hyaluronic acid serums because, while Miami’s humidity tends to have a mind of its own when it comes to my hair, my skin usually thrives in it.
For many Black women, preparing for vacation requires more planning than which outfits will make it to Instagram. Different climates can affect how long a style lasts, how our skin responds to sun and sweat, and what happens to the scalp with natural hair or underneath braids, wigs and weaves.
It turns out my vacation hair dilemma wasn’t all in my head. Celebrity hairstylist Lacy Redway says that vacation is the time to think beyond humidity and frizz and consider sun protection, too. “The number-one tip I would give for protecting your hair when traveling is to create a barrier that blocks UV rays from your hair to reduce damage,” she says. Whether you’re wearing braids, locs, or another protective style, shielding your hair from the sun should be a focus.
But while I was thinking about my hair, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mona Gohara says many Black travelers overlook a more common (and potentially damaging) mistake: skipping sunscreen.
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that melanin-rich skin doesn’t need sun protection,” Gohara says. “While melanin offers some natural UV protection, it’s not enough to prevent sun damage or the hyperpigmentation that often follows inflammation.”
This is especially important while traveling. Hours in a car, or an airplane, or outdoors, can all increase UV exposure. And for melanin-rich skin, irritation is more likely to leave behind lingering hyperpigmentation than an obvious sunburn. Gohara recommends supporting the skin barrier with hydration and reapplying a broad-spectrum sunscreen every two hours if you’re sitting in direct sunlight—even through airplane or car windows.
Despite what my overflowing toiletry bag suggests, Gohara says protecting your skin doesn’t require an elaborate routine. She recommends sticking to the basics: a gentle cleanser, a moisturizer, a broad-spectrum SPF 40 or higher and, if you have the room, an antioxidant like vitamin C. “Consistency matters more than a complicated routine,” she says.
Heat, humidity and sunscreen are a recipe for clogged pores if they aren’t washed away at the end of the day. Gohara recommends cleansing your skin at the end of the day to help remove bacteria, sunscreen, and debris before they have a chance to irritate the skin.
Gohara hopes travelers stop believing that melanin-rich skin doesn’t need sunscreen. “Every skin tone can experience UV damage,” she says. “In melanin-rich skin, it often shows up as hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone rather than a sunburn.”
I may have spent three hours preparing my hair for the Miami weather, six if you count wash day. What I hadn’t considered was the sun. Sunscreen may already have a place in the toiletry bag, but UV protection for our hair deserves one, too.
SPF meets skincare. This Black-founded sunscreen-serum hydrates while helping protect against UV damage, making it an easy addition to your vacation routine.
Price: $28
Your strands need protection. “The number-one tip I would give for protecting your hair while traveling is to create a barrier that blocks UV rays from your hair to reduce damage,” says celebrity hairstylist Lacy Redway.
Price: $12
$10
Don’t overcomplicate your routine. Dr. Mona Gohara recommends packing a gentle cleanser to wash away sweat, sunscreen and daily buildup after long travel days.
Price: $10
Brighten while you protect. Dr. Gohara recommends adding an antioxidant like vitamin C to your routine to help defend against environmental stressors.
Price: $62
Support your skin barrier. Hydration helps keep skin resilient after long flights, road trips, and days spent in the sun.
Price: $42
Keep moisture on your itinerary. Long flights and changing climates can leave skin dehydrated. This hyaluronic acid booster helps replenish moisture without weighing skin down.
Price: $42