By For many of us, using heat on our hair is just part of our daily beauty routine. Whether using a blow dryer to create a perfect blowout or wrapping hair around a curling iron to achieve vibrant Hollywood curls, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who values their appearance who doesn’t have at least one heat styling tool on their shelf.
But just like anything else, there are pros and cons to heat styling tools. Although flat irons, curling irons and other styling tools make it possible to shape and style hair exactly as desired, they can also cause serious heat damage if care is not taken. That’s why having a heat spray or heat protectant in your hair care routine is crucial – but more on how to use heat protectant for hair later.
What causes heat damage to hair?
So what can cause heat damage to the hair? And how can a heat protectant for the hair help?
Excessive use of hair styling tools
As we already mentioned, if you use too much heat when styling your hair, it can cause split ends, wear and tear and dryness. Whether you’re blow-drying your hair too often or spending hours straightening your hair until it’s nail-straight, too much heat without the use of a heat protectant can be a one-way ticket to dry and damaged hair. Not very pretty!
Sun exposure
We all know that the sun can cause skin damage – so why should it be any different for your hair? It simply isn’t, and it’s been shown that too much exposure to the strong rays of the sun can have a distinctly negative effect on your hair quality.
What is a thermal protector?
Basically, a hair protectant, or heat protectant for hair, is a product that reduces potential damage to your hair via application before using heat styling tools. Some heat protectants for hair are in the form of a spray, while other hair protectants may be in the form of a cream or leave-in treatment.
Advantages of using heat protection
You need a hair protection, you may not need to focus on it being the best heat protection for your hair but it should be a good protection. It generally works by creating a barrier between your hair and the type of heat source you are exposing it to.
Hair protection benefit
#1: Restores moisture
We all know that heat styling tools can dry out hair – that’s how they make your hairstyle stay in place. But by using a hair protectant or the best heat protectant (we’ll reveal which one it is later), you can provide your hair with extra moisture and keep it silky smooth (even after using your favorite styling tool).
Hair protection benefit
#2: Prevents moisture loss
Similarly, when you use a hair protector, you prevent moisture loss, thus keeping your hair healthier.
Hair protection benefit
#3: Damage & frizz control
A heat protectant does exactly what the name suggests: protects your hair from unwanted damage! As an added benefit, your heat protectant creates a barrier for your hair that also fights frizz! Thermal protection is amazing!
Hair protection benefit
#4: Smooth outer layer
It is the outermost layer of the hair that strengthens and protects the inner hair. Normally, this layer can be damaged by heat, but a heat protectant for hair keeps it soft and smooth, leaving your hair with a beautiful look.
Did you know that coconut oil is one of the most moisturizing oils for hair? It helps restore the hair’s moisture balance in depth
What does a good heat protectant for hair contain?
As with any product you use on your hair, skin or nails, you want to make sure it’s the best heat protection for the hair you’re using and is packed full of natural and hair-loving ingredients. Here are some of the best ingredients to look out for when buying a hair conditioner for your hair.
Apricot oil
Apricot oil is rich in essential and nutritious fatty acids and vitamins A, C and E. In addition, a heat protectant for hair with apricot oil contains powerful antioxidants that help you keep your hair safe from free radicals and oxidative stress.
Coconut oil
When properly mixed with other ingredients, coconut oil can provide heat protection for hair as well as being incredibly nourishing. It can leave hair with a protective barrier that helps fight split ends as well as reduce the risk of hair breakage.
Avocado oil
Avocado oil is rich in oleic acid and healthy monounsaturated fats, making it one of the few oils that can actually penetrate your hair shaft (rather than layer on top of it). This provides deep moisture and softness to your hair.
Argan oil
Argan oil is packed with vitamin E and Omega-6 fatty acids, and is a natural heat protectant that softens and tames frizzy hair . No wonder it’s so easy to find a heat protectant for hair that contains argan oil!
Sunflower oil
Although it’s not an ingredient you might think of as hair-friendly, sunflower oil is actually a great way to help your hair retain moisture for long periods of time. It is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties on both hair and skin, and is commonly found in high-quality heat protection for hair.
Olive oil
You read that right, olive oil is good for so much more than drizzling over bread. Olive oil is a natural moisturizer and scalp cleanser, and is the perfect addition to all heat protection for the hair.
