Using heat tools for curling and blow-drying often damages your hair. This is especially true if you have fine, textured, or thin hair. Excessive heat damages the keratin proteins, a protective protein that makes up your hair. These proteins are different from other cell types in your body. Keratin protects your hair and gives strength.
Damage to these proteins will crack the outer protective layer and zap moisture, which leads to dry and brittle hair. If you often use heat tools to style and dry your hair, follow these simple tips and protect your hair:
1. Use High-Quality Hair Care Products
Your hair care starts with the shower. Therefore, you need to properly cleanse, hydrate, and condition your hair. To strengthen up your hair, choose high-quality shampoo and conditioner. Make sure that the products you choose do not include harmful ingredients such as parabens and sulfates. These ingredients will strip your hair, leaving them brittle and dry. When you use the right products, you can beat the heat while using heat tools.
2. Create Heat-Proof Shield
No matter what hair type you have, apply a heat protectant to your hair before using heat tools. When you go out on a sunny day, you apply sunscreen to protect your face from sun rays. Similarly, if you want to protect your hair against heat, apply a heat protectant as a protective shield. As a result, your delicate hair strands will lock up the moisture preventing heat damage.
3. Switch to Low Settings
While using the hot iron, many people turn up their heat settings too high. Even though the temperature depends on your hair type, setting up the heat in between 200 to 300 degrees would be the best decision. Especially while curling or drying up the thin or fine hair type, keep the spectrum at the lowest end. Regardless of what hair type you have highest heat settings damages the keratin proteins weakening your hair.
4. Apply Conditioning Mask
Replenishing your hair with natural moisture, after applying heat tools, is a good practice. Especially, when you regularly blow dry or curl your hair. You can refill the moisture in your hair with a deep conditioning mask. Not only it replenishes the moisture but adds an additional layer of protection. That way, you can prevent your hair from future damage. You can replace your conditioner with a conditioning mask, keep it on for a while, and properly rinse it.
5. Apply the Heat Tools Once
Regardless of the temperature setting, you should also consider how frequently you use the tool on a single section. Generally, it would be best to apply the tool once over a section. Overdoing your hair, with the tool, causes additional damage to your hair strands. If you think that you require more than one pass, try increasing the temperature a bit. It is important to find the lowest temperature of your tool that allows you to style your hair without overheating.
Contact Our Salon in Danvers
Hopefully, you will find these tips effective to protect your hair from damage. If you are unsure about better products, techniques, and tools, consult with our stylist. By contacting Bella Salon & Spa, you can discuss your hair problems with a professional and seek optimal solutions. Give us a call today at 978-777-3717.