Hot tools such as straighteners, curling irons and blow dryers can give you a great almost instant look, but can cause a lot of damage to your hair due to their intense heat. As a lot of us use a hot tool daily, it’s important to know how to protect our hair whilst still getting the results we want. It’s not always possible to skip using a heated beauty tool, so instead we recommend methods that you can use to protect your hair from heat damage they can cause.
How to protect your hair from blow dryer heat
Blow dryers can result in hair becoming dry and brittle as it removes moisturiser from the surface of the hair follicle causing the cuticles to become cracked over time.
Look for products that protect your hair from blow drying by using a glycerin-based hair treatment that you apply just before blow drying. These treatments are usually sprayed onto your hair and combed through before you start using the blow dryer. The hair follicles are bound to the glycerin, allowing them to dry, but to still retain moisture.
How to protect your hair against the heat of curling and flat irons
There are creams that will protect your hair from the intense heat of a curling or flat iron. After you shower, use a glycerin based treatment for blow drying and a straightening or curling defence serum. These will prevent damage to the hair follicle as well as straightening or curling your hair more effectively, meaning that you will need to expose your hair to the heat for a shorter time whilst still getting the look you want.
It is also important to use a conditioner that adds excess moisture to your hair and that protects against extensive styling. Whether your hair is wet or dry, it can be affected by iron heat. If iron heat is applied to dry hair it can cause the cuticle to crack, causing frayed and frizzed looking hair. Iron heat on wet hair may result in the cuticle buckling from the excess steam resulting in further frizz damage.
Unfortunately, there can be lots of damage done to hair that is heat treated on a regular basis, but the good news is that there are things that can be done to protect your hair. Following the above tips is a good place to start.
