Heat Protectant for Hair: Advantages, Damage, and More

Best Heat Protectant

Whether the use of the best heat protectant tools is daily or occasionally, the gesture of applying a thermal protector for the hair before proceeding to your hairstyle will make your hair thank you in the long run because it is well known that heat can have a very negative effect on hair health, damaging the cuticle.

Extreme heat can cause severe damage to our hair, mainly if we apply the iron at more than 230°C. For this reason, in these cases, it is best to use an excellent thermal hair protector such as Kerastase Genesis Defense, which allows us to provide our hair with the proper protection and thus keep it always healthy and beautiful.

What is a Heat Protectant for Hair?

As its name makes clear, this product protects from heat. Its function is similar to sunscreens, which serve as a defense barrier. When applied, it becomes a shield covering the cuticle, the hair’s surface.

In this sense, it slows down heat conduction and distributes it evenly. In other words, the mane will not heat up quickly but little by little. By reducing the thermal impact, the sequelae will be less.

Depending on your chosen brand, the heat protector can be made from silicone, polymers, or hydrolyzed wheat protein. Learn more about the variety:

The spray is indicated if you are used to washing your hair frequently.

Cream or lotion: ideal for giving a touch of shine and easy to apply.

Oil: created from natural oils that provide hydration.

Silicone: this class was created in the 1970s. The truth is that the substance has no color or odor and its appearance is oily.

Advantages of Best Heat Protectant

There are multiple advantages that thermal hair protectors have, among which we will find the following:

• They will help reduce the damage that is produced by heat.
• They allow for the creation of a protective layer on the hair.
• Some have moisturizing properties.
• They improve the texture and manageability of the hair, leaving it very soft.
• They reduce the drying time of the hair.

However, we must remember that these products cannot wholly prevent heat damage because most have a protection limit of 220°C. If you expose your hair to a temperature higher than this, you will not have any protection.

What Damage Does Best Heat Protectant do to our Hair?

Each hair has a complex structure that is made up of several layers and different chemical components. The main features of hair are proteins, lipids, pigments, and water; its design breaks down at temperatures of 240°C and above, which is when the proteins begin to break down.

Hair styling equipment typically does not reach these temperatures, but the proteins and lipids in the hair can begin to show damage at much lower temperatures. For this reason, using a hair dryer, irons, or curling irons can weaken the hair, increasing the possibility of it breaking.

The risk of these damages can be reduced by using the appliances at lower temperatures. However, it will always be better to apply a thermal hair protector within your routine to avoid damage caused by heat.

How is the Thermal Hair Protector Used?

The idea is to have shampoo and conditioner that can complement heat protectors, mainly if you use tools that emit heat often. Combining a protector with a conditioner with the same ingredients can have a layering effect, providing more hair protection.

Once we wash and condition the hair, we must apply the protector on wet hair, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions. However, some can also apply after the hair is dry, but you should read the instructions to see if the product can use this way. What is necessary is always to apply it before exposure to the heat source to avoid damage that may occur to the hair.

Effects and Benefits of Best Heat Protectant for Hair

A thermal protector is usually very effective. But first, you must verify the maximum temperature level it can combat. For this, read the label on the container.

It is worth clarifying that although it is perfect, this does not mean that it is magical. For example, imagine applying sunscreen and exposing yourself to the sun for a long time. The consequences will be minor, but it is impossible to avoid all the damage. The same happens with the hair protector.

The results will depend on the quality of the protector, the mode and frequency of use, and the level of heat you submit in your daily life. First, take a look at the compensations for this product:

• It helps repair previous damage and restores elasticity.
• It prevents dryness and roughness, as it prevents the loss of keratin.
• Maintains the natural moisture present in the inner bark of each strand.
• Keeps hair strong, preventing it from breaking or splitting the ends.
• Facilitates straightening and blocks frizz, thanks to propylene glycol and panthenol.

Although it designs for anyone, it is much more beneficial for those who have used chemicals, such as dyes, bleaches, or removers.

What to do Against Hair Damaged by Excess Heat?

In beauty, there is always a remedy for every ailment. And punished hairs are no exception. If the excess heat did its thing, pause the tools that we have mentioned. On the other hand, buy a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.

Another escape route is hair masks. In cosmetic stores, there are hundreds to choose from. But a practical alternative is creating a homemade one with the ingredients at your finger tips. Turn to shea butter. Mix it with your favorite essential oil, let it act, and remove it.

How to Use an Effective Best Heat Protectant Spray

An effective way to use a heat protectant spray is to apply it before applying heat.

Spray on the part of the hair that will heat, mainly from the middle to the ends. Be sure to spray not only the surface but also the inside.

• Then use an iron or trowel.
• You may hear a slight sizzling sound, but it is not a problem.
• Finally, you can use a styling agent that enhances the luster.
• But don’t use it when your hair is wet.
• Use an out bath treatment oil or milk when your hair is wet.
• Please be careful not to make a mistake.
• From now on, let’s try to do styling while taking care of hair.
• No matter how beautifully you style your hair, if it is damaged, it will not look beautiful.
• Protect your hair with a warm, protectant spray.

Thermal Protector Benefits of Best Heat Protectant

Just behind chemical attacks on the hair, such as bleaching, dyeing, straightening, and permanents…, what damages and weakens the hair fiber the most are heat tools. Therefore, to minimize the impact on the hair when subjecting it to these attacks, it highly recommends to include a thermal protector in the styling routine, which will provide different benefits.

• Acts as a shield against thermal attacks
• Protects the natural keratin that is part of the hair fiber
• It acts as an occlusive, sealing the cuticle to maintain the hair’s natural hydration, avoiding, to a certain extent, the dehydration caused by heat application.
• Depending on their formulation, they can also act by softening and helping untangle the hair, preventing fiber breakage.
• It helps in the styling process, especially straightening, and adds shine to the hair, making it look healthier.
• It prevents frizz by maintaining the hair’s natural hydration and sealing the cuticle.

We must emphasize that the use of a thermal protector for hair highly recommend not only for fine, damaged, and brittle hair but also thicker, healthier, and more resistant hair since the latter, although less visible, also suffers damage from the application of high temperatures.

How to Apply the Best Heat Protectant for Hair?

Wet or Dry Hair Depending on Use:

As we already mentioned, heat protectants for hair can (and should) use on any hair and will be done differently depending on the heat tool used.

With damp hair. If we dry the hair with a dryer, the thermal protector should apply to wet hair previously dried slightly with a towel.

If, on the contrary, what is going to use are irons, curling irons or electric brushes, the thermal protector must apply with dry hair.

Separate the Hair into Sections

The application form will be the same in both circumstances: we must separate the hair into strands and apply the protector along each one without forgetting any area of ​​the hair, so it protects all its layers.

Be Careful not to Weight Down the Hair:

According to the director of Blow Dry Bar, we could use thermal protectors every time we wash our hair as long as we do not overload our hair with products because “it can give the appearance of easy and matted hair .”

Comb the Hair After the Protector

There are cream and spray protectors which can apply to wet and dry hair, indicated by the manufacturer. But, when it comes to combing, the director always advises “combing it once applied to ensure perfect distribution throughout the length of the hair.”

Choose the Ideal Format According to your Hair

They are found in cream or spray for fine or thick, curly or straight hair, and we must choose the protector format that best benefits our hair type; for this, and as the expert points out, ” your stylist will know how to advise you.”

Highly Recommended for Colored Hair.

Dyed hair is usually more porous and dries quicker, so a protector highly recommends.

Conclusion

The options are many and varied, and your choice will depend a lot on the specific characteristics of your hair. And it is that the vast majority of thermal protectors also include treatment for other factors, such as frizz, lack of volume or shine, and even fiber breakage. Bearing this in mind, we have prepared a complete selection with  11 thermal protectors in different formats, all adapted to each need or type of hair, from the most indicated to combat frizz ( Rene Furtherer Style Thermo Protector Spray ) to the best option for fine hair ( Schwarzkopf Osas+ Flatliner Thermo Protector Spray ) and even healthy alternatives ( Kerasotes K Resistance Extensionists Thermae).

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