Do you use heated hair tools on your hair? If so, then a heat protectant spray is a hair product that is well worth investing in. We all wish to have that shiny perfect hair look.
To achieve this we will blow-dry, curl and straighten our hair. All these hair tools create heat and unfortunately that heat can end up creating damage to your hair.
If you happen to be a heavy user of hair straighteners or curling irons. Your hair will thank you if you make it part of your regime to use a heat protectant spray.
What Can Happen When You Heat Style Your Hair.
If you have the temperature far to high on your heated tools this is the damage you could do.
Breakdown the keratin proteins that give your hair it’s strength and elasticity.
Crack the cuticle (outer layer) of your hair. Which allows moisture to evaporate from the inside of your hair.
Your hair color can fade faster. As high temperatures will cause color pigments to oxidize faster.
How A Heat Protectant Spray Defends Your Hair.
It is a product that helps to reduce damage to your hair.
Think of it this way a heat protectant lotion is like a sunscreen for your hair.
It smooths the cuticle which helps to seal in moisture and emphasis shine.
This helps to defend against you frying your hair when using your heated tools such as your flat irons. Because the product will slow down and distribute the heat more evenly so acting as a buffer between your hair and the appliance you are using.
This makes it an even more important addition to your hair care cabinet if you happen lighten your hair to a platinum or ash blonde.
That said a heat protectant spray cannot completely protect your hair from all heat damage. It will help but part is up to you.
Heat Protectant Spray Ingredients That Save Your Hair From Your Hot Hair Tools.
These are four main ingredients that you should find in your hairs heat protectant spray.
PVP/DMAPH acrylates copolymer.
Which coats your hair shaft to prevent moisture from escaping whilst at the same time helps to slow down the transfer of heat to your hair.
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein.
Is used to strengthen and rebuild your hair. Hair is mainly made up of proteins which can tend to get damaged when you are using hot hair tools.
Sodium Bisulphate.
As an antioxidant this helps to stop your hair from burning.
Silicones.
Silicones do coat your hair shaft to help prevent damage and to give your hair a smooth appearance.
If you use a leave in conditioner on your hair I would recommend that you take a quick look at the listed ingredients.
As most leave in conditioners do contain heat protects as well.
Which means that your leave in conditioner has you covered.
Using Common Hair Oils As Heat Protectants.
A lot of the new hair oils are lighter in consistency and will not weigh down your hair.
And most natural oils are rich in vitamins and minerals that do promote healthy hair.
Natural oils such as Argan, Coconut Oil and Shea Butter will behave very similar to silicones at high temperatures. By creating a protective barrier around your hair cuticle.
I am sure that if you look at the list of ingredients in your heat protectant bottle. You will probably find that it is in fact infused with one of the above natural oils.
Now if you are looking at using a natural oil on its own as a heat protectant for your hair there are two important points you must keep in mind.
Point 1. The heat tolerance of the oil.
In other words the smoke point of the hair oil. This is the point at which the oil begins to burn. Because if this happens you will fry your hair.
When using heated hair tools you should look to use a natural oil that has a smoke point of at least 350 degrees or higher.
Point 2. How well the oil lubricates your hair.
The problem with some hair oils is that they do not lubricate your hair sufficiently which can lead to drag.
This will slow down your hot irons as they move through your hair. Which in turn can lead to more damage.
If you are not sure about the hair oil you use and the two points I have mentioned above. Why not try your hair oil on one small section of your hair first as a test.
Applying Your Heat Protectant Spray.
Most heat protectant sprays can be used on damp or dry hair.
Section – For even penetration it is better to apply your product section by section onto your hair. Spraying from roots to ends at around 15cms from your hair.
Comb – Always finish by combing through your hair to ensure you have achieved even coverage.
Allow to dry – If you are using your heat protectant spray on dry hair before using your tongs or irons.
It is very important that you wait a few minutes after applying the product.
Don’t be impatient you must allow the product to dry first before you apply any heat.
Because if not and your hair is still moist you will cook your hair. Which will result in you having frizzled strands instead of shiny ones.
3 Ways That You Can Help Prevent Heat Damage When Using Your Hot Irons Or Curling Tongs.
As I mentioned earlier using a heat protectant spray on your hair can help protect it from the heat given off from your styling tools. But your hair also needs your help.
Always Adjust The Heat Setting.
Don’t start with the temperature set at the highest level.
Remember your hair stylist may use a high temperature setting. But they are going to be working on the sections of your hair far faster than you will be.
Test your hair with the lowest setting possible when using your curling irons or hair straighteners. Because you can always adjust the setting up if you are not achieving the desired results.
2. Try To Limit The Amount Of Times You Use Heat Tools.
If possible try to cut back on the amount of times that you use your irons or curling tongs.
As direct heat does dry out your hair very quickly.
3. Limit Your Time On Each Hair Section.
By this I mean do not keep going over the same section of hair repeatedly. Because if you do you will increase the chances of you damaging the strands of your hair.
If you use flat irons to straighten your hair always work with small sections of hair. Ensuring that you only pass the irons over each section once.
For a curly or wavy look you probably use your curling irons where again sectioning your hair correctly is important as to the outcome. Look at a time limit of keeping them in place on each hair section of 2 to 3 seconds.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I hope that you found it interesting if so why not share it with a friend.
