First, let me make it clear. If you regularly use a heating tool, you need the best hair product for heat protection! Only then can you protect your gorgeous hair!
If you do not use a thermal protector, then you run the risk of causing damage to your beautiful locks!
Heat Damage to Hair – What Exactly is Damaged?
Hair is made up of 3 layers; you have an inner layer, a middle layer, and an outer layer.
Think of a pencil. On the outside, you have the paint and possibly a logo! The middle section is some wood, and the middle layer is the lead.
What About My Hair?
The makeup of a strand of hair is like a pencil and has three layers.
The outer layer is called the cuticle, which is the section that gets damaged when you do not protect your hair before heating it with a flat iron, hairdryer…sun, you name it!
Let’s recap, the following can cause heat damage:
- A hair straightener (Flat Irons)
- Using your hairdryer too close to your hair – it should be at least 30 cm away!
- Heating tools (Such as curlers)
- Too much sun exposure
- Over processed hair
- Neglect
- Using the wrong hairbrush
- Chlorine
- Too frequent washing
- Brushing wet hair
- Towel drying too vigorously
What Are The Symptoms of Heat Damaged Hair
Split Ends
We all get split ends occasionally. The heat causes the hair to split and will eventually produce split ends.
Reduction or Complete Loss of Curls
The heat can cause unfortunate reverse effects.
Curls will become larger and may even disappear altogether.
Sad news for the wavy hairstyles! This may cause you to use more heat on your hair to create more curls!
Porous Hair
This can also cause color to fade very quickly!
Want to check for porous hair yourself?
It’s simple. Take a strand of your hair and place it in water. It will do one of 3 things, sink immediately, sink after some time or not sink at all.
If it sinks immediately, your hair is excessively porous and needs treatment to improve its health.
Lack of Shine
This is a big one! Heat damage will reduce the beautiful shine to your hair. The good news is many of the thermal protection products will improve shine!
Dryness
Overuse of heating tools will cause dryness. This will cause your hair to look limp and lifeless.
Difficulty Coloring
Damaged hair absorbs too much color. If you regularly color your hair, you may notice the result changing each time!
If you suffer from this, you may have damaged your hair by overheating.
Does Heat Damage Make Your Hair More Difficult To Style?
YES, it does! As we mentioned above, heat-damaged hair can become more porous and limp, which makes it more challenging to style.
Breakage is NOT a good look!
Remember to book in regular trims at least every 10 to 12 weeks (That’s notThat’ses pitch, just because I am a hairdresser!)
What Does A Heat-Protecting Product Do?
A heat protector provides your hair with a barrier between your hair and your heating tools. This extra barrier will protect your hair from damage and will result in a reduction in:
- Split Ends
- Dry Hair
- Tangled Hair
Using a heat protector on your hair will result in improved natural moisture retention and increased shine!
Best Hair Product For Heat Protection – Top 6
1. Osmo Thermal Defense
The OSMO Thermal Defense spray is also excellent at protecting your hair against sun damage and other heat sources (straighteners, etc.).
Moisture is sealed into every strand and will create a smooth, shiny finish alongside the thermal protection offered with this product.
OSMO is a leading UK collection of professional haircare products, which I highly recommend to every single one of my clients.
It is well worth checking out their entire range.
My husband is a convert and even uses the volume spray to get his quiff higher!
2: AVEDA BRILLIANT DAMAGE SPRAY
Number 2 is the Aveda Brilliant Damage spray.
This great-smelling thermal protector will leave your hair shiny and thick.
It is a little expensive, but you get what you pay for, and what you get here is a world-class heat protector for your hair.
Use the Aveda Brilliant Damage spray to reduce breakage when combing, reduce sun damage (It has UV protection), and reduces thermal damage from other products.
3: TONI + GUY PREP HEAT
Toni + Guy Prep Heat – use this product for a smooth, prepped finish.
Spray this product evenly over dried hair and comb through it to ensure you keep your hair frizz-free all day!
Tony and Guy have some fantastic hair care products, so it is worth checking their range out after you have looked at OSMO!
4: S FACTOR FLAT IRON SPRAY
TIGI is another brand I highly recommend, and they have a great heat protector spray.
It is called the S Factor Flat Iron Spray and offers heat protection on wet or dry hair ‘for the sheerest of shine.’
UV protection will help condition your hair and leave it healthy and shiny!
5: DISCIPLINE FLUIDISSME
Kerastase also has a fantastic range of professional hair products, and their Discipline Fluidissme Spray is specifically designed to protect your hair from heat damage.
With up to 72 hours of frizz protection and heat protection up to 450 °F, you can use this on fine to coarse hair types!
6: GHD HEAT PROTECT
The GHD Heat Protect is last on our list.
GHD does know how to take care of hair!
Not only do they appear in our Best Hair Straightener list, but they also have excellent products to ensure your hair remains healthy when using heating products.
The GHD Heat Protect provides an invisible, lightweight barrier on your hair to protect it from heat damage.
It can also be used alongside other products!
Tips For Hair Already Damaged By Heat
So, your hair is already damaged? That sucks!
The good news is, you CAN repair it.
Now you know the best hair product for heat protection, so hopefully, you don’t get in the same position in the future! But until then……
Here are some tips to get your damaged hair back on track:
GET A GOOD CUT!
I know, I am a hairdresser, I would recommend a decent haircut, but it is so underestimated!
Your stylist should already be aware of the health of your hair and should already be giving you advice.
If they are not, move on!
Find yourself a good stylist who will look after your hair even better than you do.
Check Your Equipment
Equipment is essential; after you have selected an excellent hair straightening tool, ensure you follow up with a top hairdryer!
The Ionic, Infrared hairdryer is the tool of choice for me.
This amazing dryer heats from the inside of your hair outwards, which protects the hair cuticle (outer layer of a hair strand) from damage.
Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner
Sulfate can strip the oils from your hair! Do not use them!
Make sure you go for a sulfate-free version of shampoo and conditioner!
Use Cool Water to Wash Your Hair
Stick to lukewarm or cool water when you are washing your beautiful locks!
Cool water seals the outer layer of your hair, resulting in shiny and smooth hair.
Use a Thermal Protector
See the options above!
Wear a Swim Cap
I know they do not look great!
How much time do you spend out of the pool v inside the pool? Look silly in the pool for better hair outside!
It is a simple choice.
Good Diet
Biotin has been shown to improve hair health! You get Biotin from your diet when you consume foods such as Peanuts, Almonds, Salmon, and Avocados. You can always use a Biotin Supplement if you need to.
It will take a few months to start to notice a difference but stick with it!
While we are on the subject, make sure you drink plenty of water!
Hair is affected by what we put in our bodies, so make sure you choose wisely!
