One of the leading causes of heat damage to hair is using styling tools like curling wands, blow dryers, and flat irons. Using these tools on wet hair or regularly can eventually damage hair strands.
To fix hair with heat damage, you first need to avoid heat styling before exploring the various hair care treatments and products. In the sections below, we have discussed how heat damages hair and how you can fix the problem in 10 simple steps.
How Does Heat Damage Hair?
If you are like most people, you probably use hair styling tools as part of your hair care routine since they make the work easier and deliver faster results. However, they have a huge disadvantage, especially when used regularly.
To understand how heat damages hair, it is crucial to know that hair contains a protein called keratin, which gives it strength and elasticity. Excessive or regular heat can break down the hydrogen bonds in keratin, negatively affecting hair strength and elasticity.
While heat can help with nerve damage by increasing blood flow and soothing pain for people with tingling scalps or inflammation, precautions must be taken during warm compress or heat therapy sessions.
How to Fix Heat-Damaged Hair with 10 Steps: Effective Treatments
Heat-damaged hair can feel dull and difficult to manage. To restore your locks, it is essential to combine targeted treatments and lifestyle changes. Proper hair treatment for heat damage can revive your strands and help improve both appearance and texture. Here’s a comprehensive 10-step guide to repair and strengthen your hair.
1. Assess the Extent of the Damage
Before you begin the treatment, first determine how severe the damage is. So, you may ask, what does heat-damaged hair look like? Well, it often feels dry and appears frizzy. Another common sign is split ends or if the hair begins to break easily. You should remember that the deeper the damage, the more intensive your repair process will need to be.
2. Trim the Damaged Ends
Cutting off split or fried ends is the first crucial step when repairing heat-damaged hair. Trimming stops the damage from progressing further up the hair shaft. If you notice persistent signs of heat damage, plan to trim the damaged ends regularly every 4 to 6 weeks. Although cutting your hair may feel like a setback, it is necessary for long-term hair health since it removes the weakest areas, allowing the hair strands to grow afresh.
3. Use a Deep Conditioning Treatment
Deep conditioning treatments are essential for replenishing moisture. Proper washing or shampooing is critical before using the conditioners. That said, how often you should wash your hair depends on factors such as hair type, texture, oil, and sweat levels. For the best results, consider weekly deep treatment with ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, or honey, as these products can restore your hair’s softness and shine.
4. Incorporate Protein Treatments into Your Routine
One of the main ways to restore the lost strength in your hair is to add protein treatment to your hair care routine. These treatments, especially those containing keratin, help rebuild damaged hair fibres. Similarly, you want to prioritise after-keratin treatment care to maintain smooth and sleek hair for longer.
5. Avoid Heat Styling Tools
This is no surprise, considering that styling tools are the main cause of heat damage. Instead of using these tools, opt for heat-free styling techniques, such as rollers or braiding your hair for waves. If you must use heat, limit it to once or twice weekly and always use a heat protectant while keeping the temperatures low.
Other products in the market, such as the Dyson multi-styler and dryer, use intelligent heat control. This way, Dyson doesn’t cause heat damage since it protects the scalp from excessive heat and helps maintain the hair’s moisture levels.
6. Eat a Hair-Healthy Diet
Your hair’s health starts from within. A rule of thumb is to ensure your diet is rich in nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, biotin, and vitamins A, C, and E. These nutrients promote stronger and shinier hair. Salmon, eggs, avocados, and spinach nourish your scalp and hair follicles. That said, you should pair your balanced diet with adequate water intake to keep your hair hydrated and healthy from the inside out.
7. Use Sulfate-Free, Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner
Sulphate products are known to strip moisture and natural oils from your hair, worsening the dryness. Some moisturising and conditioning formulas you should prioritise include shea butter, Aloe Vera, and glycerin.
8. Apply Leave-In Treatments or Serums
Leave-in treatments and serums are designed to protect and nourish your hair strands throughout the day. These products help reduce frizz by adding moisture and providing protection from environmental stressors. Ideally, you want to choose a lightweight leave-in with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or serum rich in oils to seal in moisture and strengthen your hair against future damage.
9. Protect Hair While Sleeping
How you treat your hair while sleeping is vital in preventing further breakage. Sleeping with curly hair, for instance, requires extra care. You will need to use a silk or satin pillowcase to minimise friction. For the other hair types, however, wrap your hair strands in a silk scarf or wear a bonnet to reduce tangles and frizz.
10. Hydrate Hair with Oils
Oils like jojoba, argan, and coconut provide deep hydration to heat-damaged hair. These oils help seal in moisture and smoothen the hair cuticle, helping prevent further breakage. You should apply a small amount to damp hair when using hair oils, concentrating on the ends. This locks in hydration and adds shine and softness to the dry strands.
Best Hair Products for Heat Damaged Hair
Before treating heat-damaged hair, you first need to know your hair type. For example, there are some shampoos and conditioners formulated for curly hair, while others are best used on oily or dry hair. Here is a breakdown of the best hair treatment for heat-damaged hair.
Best Shampoos for Heat-Damaged Hair
When selecting the best products for heat-damaged hair, you must focus on repairing formulas. Some of the shampoos in this category are often featured among the best hair shampoos for hair loss/thinning. These include:
- ArtNaturals Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo: It helps moisturise and soften your heat-damaged hair.
- Olaplex No. 4 Bond-Maintenance Shampoo: Contains ingredients ideal for repairing damaged bonds.
- Moroccanoil Moisture-Repair Shampoo: Formulated for thinning or heat-damaged hair
Best Conditioners for Heat Damaged Hair
An ideal conditioner for heat-damaged hair, it restores the moisture in your hair stands. Your hair type will primarily determine the perfect conditioner to pick. The best conditioners for blonde hair, for instance, include brands such as the:
- Redken Color Extend Blondage
- The Fanola No Yellow Conditioners.
For the other hair types, you can consider the Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner, which is designed to seal moisture into heat-damaged hair while improving the texture.
Best Leave-In Treatments for Heat Protection
Now that you know some of the best shampoos and conditioners for heat-damaged hair, let’s look at some leave-in treatment options you can incorporate into your hair routine. Among the most popular picks include:
- Arvazallia Heat Protectant Spray. This is a thermal protector and anti-frizz treatment enriched with argan oil.
- Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine 10-in-1. This budget-friendly option offers heat protection, hydration and enhanced shine.
Best Oils for Heat Damaged Hair
Hair oils are designed to restore hydration to heat-damaged locks. Some of the top products in this category include:
- Viva Natural Coconut Oil: Hydrates and prevents protein loss from your hair.
- Kate Blanc Castor Oil: Stimulates scalp circulation.
- SVA Organics Argan Oil: Strengthens and nourishes the hair.
Best Heat Sprays for Protecting Damaged Hair
Heat sprays are designed to protect your damaged hair during styling or when your hair is exposed to direct sun rays. Some of the best heat sprays for damaged hair include:
- CHI 44 Iron-Guard Thermal Protection Spray: This lightweight spray is ideal for daily use and helps shield hair from heat tools.
- Tresemmé Thermal-Creations Heat Tamer Spray: This affordable spray prevents further heat damage.
Best Hair Masks for Heat Damaged Hair
Hair masks are among the top products you can use to grow hair faster. Below are some hair masks formulated to rejuvenate heat-damaged locks:
- Briogeo Superfood Mask: Ideal for hydration and strengthening your hair strands.
- Amika The Kure Bond Repair Mask: Repairs heat damage and prevent breakage.
- Kevin Murphy Young-Again Masque: Supports thick and healthy hair growth.
Preventing Hair Damage from Heat Styling: Final Thoughts
As far as the best treatment for heat-damaged hair is concerned, investing in quality hair care products like shampoos, conditioners, masks, and oils can help support long-term recovery. However, if the damage is significant, you should seek expert help from a qualified hair professional. At Ladyandthehair, we are ready to help you with all your hair needs. Contact us today to book your appointment.
