Healthy Hair: The Importance of Using Heat Protectant

Are you doing absolutely everything in your power to ensure that your hair is healthy? There are so many beautiful hairstyles that you can achieve, but the most gorgeous locks are always the healthiest.  A key component of keeping your hair healthy is making sure that you’re using the right heat-protectant products. 

In this article we’re going to take a look at the importance of using heat protectant as well as how to find the right one for your hair. So, don’t get frazzled over hair health, but keep on reading and you’ll be on the right path to stunning and healthy hair. 

What is a heat protectant?

We all have to start somewhere, and if you’re new to the world of hair styling and hair products, you need to understand that heat protectants should be a crucial part of anybody’s hair routine – especially for those who use their heat styling tools regularly. A heat protectant can come in the form of a spray, an oil, a cream, a mousse or a serum. It is applied to hair before using any heat in order to protect your stands from being damaged. 

Not only does a heat protectant protect your hair, but depending on the one that you buy, it may also help to provide your hair with good conditioning and block out humidity to help prevent the dreaded frizz. 

Do you have to use a heat protectant?

Every single time your hair is exposed to heat, and you don’t use any form of protection, you run the risk of causing irreversible heat damage. So, if you find that your hair always seems dull and dry and is prone to breakage, skipping out on the heat protectant could be the reason. 

Using a good heat protectant is like arming your hair with a super thing—an effective coat of armour—and it really helps to prevent damage. And if you really struggle to remember to use heat protectant, just remember that just those few seconds that it takes to put on can prevent a lifetime’s worth of damage. 

How to find the best heat protectant for you

Considering the fact that there are many different hair types, you also need to be aware that not all heat protectants are going to suit your particular hair type. As we’ve mentioned previously, hair protectants come in different forms and have different ingredients in them, so it’s your job to find out which ingredients and products are going to be the best for your hair. Here are a few things you need to do in order to choose the right one: 

1.   Consider your hair type 

Fine hair – for those with a finer hair type, you’ll wait to go for a heat protectant with a lightweight formula so that it doesn’t weigh your hair down. This means that it’s best to avoid products like creams, oils and serums and opt for a lightweight option like a heat protectant spray. 

Coarse hair – for anyone with thicker, more coarse hair, a serum, oil, mousse or cream protectant can work well for your hair type, although sprays can work just as well – it really depends on your preference. Even though this hair type can handle almost any formula for heat protectant, you want to invest in a product that is non-greasy and more lightweight because while you want the protection, you really don’t want to be left with a sticky residue. 

Colored hair – for those with hair that has been colored, it’s best to always look for a heat-protectant that reads “safe for colored hair” on the label. 

2.   Look at the ingredients list

Sometimes, heat-protectant products can be filled with a range of ingredients that can do more harm than good. You don’t want to risk putting an irritant on your hair, so pay attention to the ingredients. The more specific you are with what products you use and the ingredients found in them, the better the outcome will be for your hair’s health and style. Look out for the following ingredients in different heat protectants to ensure you’re getting the best: 

• Amino acids – ingredients like keratin can help to strengthen your hair 
• Humectants – ingredients like panthenol and propylene glycol can help to attract moisture from the air and help to lock it in your strands
• Natural oils and extracts – ingredients like aloe vera and argan oil are particularly good at sealing the hair cuticles to prevent the loss of moisture 

3.   Avoid sulphates and parabens 

A heat protectant is the type of product that is going to be left in your hair, so it’s best to avoid anything that could potentially irritate your scalp – and there are quite a few ingredients that could be irritants. Two of the most commonly used ingredients in heat protectants are silicones (like dimethicone and cyclomethicone) and base polymers (like acrylate copolymer and polyquaternium). The key is to know what works for your hair and what doesn’t – and if it doesn’t, then avoid it.

Final Thoughts

Using the right heat-protectant product can do wonders not only to protect your hair and keep it healthy but also to help you achieve those gorgeous hairstyles. So, if you want your hair to always look like you’ve come out of a hair commercial, never skip this step. Get yourself a good heat protectant that works for you.