Protect Your Hair from Heat Damage: Tips and Tricks
Hair styling tools can transform your hair within minutes. They can give your hair a fantastic volume, bounce, curls, waves and can even make your hair pin-straight in no time. If you want to flaunt a celebrity-like perfect hairstyle, you can recreate any look you want with the help of the correct heat styling tools.
While all these pros of styling tools are true, another truth that we can’t turn away from is - Heat Damage. Learning how to protect your hair from heat damage. Whether it's a straightener, curling iron or blow dryer, these tools have the potential to cause more harm than good if not used properly.
To help you make the most of your hair styling tools while ensuring heat damage protection, here are some tips on how to avoid heat damage that you wish you had known before.
Quick overview of Tips to protect hair from heat damage:
- Heat styling tools, such as straighteners, curling irons, and blow dryers, pose a risk of heat damage.
- To protect your hair from heat damage, choose the right material and size of styling tools.
- Adjust heat settings according to your hair type.
- Use proper techniques to minimise damage and consider leaving ends out when curling.
- Always apply heat protectant sprays to shield hair from damage.
Tips To Use Styling Tools Safely
1. Picking the right Styling Tool
Heat styling tools are typically made from three materials, each with its unique properties.
- Ceramic tools are known for their ability to distribute heat evenly, reducing the risk of burning your hair. They also release negative ions that hydrate and smooth the hair shaft, sealing the hair cuticle and warding off humidity. This results in a sleek, shiny finish.
- The second type is a tourmaline which emits six times more negative ions than ceramic or titanium tools, enhancing hair shine and smoothness.
- Lastly, titanium tools offer even heat distribution and a smooth surface to prevent the hair from sticking or snagging.
For best results, you can choose the material of your hair styling tool based on your hair type. Generally speaking, stylists often recommend ceramic or tourmaline tools to protect the hair from heat damage.
2. Significance of Tool Sizes
Heat styling tools come in various sizes, each suitable for different hair lengths and styles. The size you choose should be based on the type of style you wish to achieve. For instance, larger-barrel curling irons or wide plate straighteners are ideal if you're aiming for subtle waves or loose curls. On the other hand, for tighter curls or straight styles on shorter hair, smaller tools would be the best option.
The size of the tool can influence how evenly heat is distributed and the duration of heat exposure on the hair, both of which can influence heat exposure on the hair. For optimum heat damage protection, you should pick the right-sized styling tools for your individual needs.
3. Importance of Heat Setting
The temperature of your heat styling tool is crucial in heat damage protection. For those with thin or fine hair, set the temperature below 200°F (approximately 93°C). For those with coarse or thicker hair, a temperature range between 200°F and 300°F (approximately 149°C) is ideal.
4. Correctly Handling Your Styling Tools
Regardless of the heat styling tool you're using, if you’re learning how to avoid heat damage, it's essential to use it correctly. For instance, when using a curling iron, start with the clip facing away from your face for better control. You can hold your iron rod vertically, horizontally or diagonally, depending on the type of curl you want. Similarly, when using a straightener, ensure your hair is fully dry and detangled before starting, and never hold the heat on one spot for too long.
5. The Ends Matter
When styling your hair, pay attention to the ends. If you are using a curling iron to get beachy waves, leave the ends of your hair out of the barrel for best results. This will protect the ends of your hair from heat damage and also give your ends a straight look, adding a bohemian vibe to your hairstyle.
6. Allow your Hair to Cool
After releasing your hair from the heat styling tool, allow it to cool naturally. This enables the hair to hold its shape while also enhancing the longevity of the style. However, while you let it cool naturally, keep your hair away from the skin or drape a towel on your shoulders to avoid burning the skin.
Give Your Hair The Protection It Deserves Before Styling
Hair styling tools can do wonders for your hair, provided that your hair is healthy and strong enough to handle the heat. You can style your hair to your heart’s content, provided you use the right heat protection products. You can use a Thermal spray that is not only lightweight on your hair but also provides thermal protection for up to 230°C- the average temperature of flat irons and curling rods. You can also opt for a multi-purpose heat protection gel that provides effective heat protection while also giving instant volume to your hair. If you want perfectly styled hair but also want to protect your hair from heat damage, you can try out heatless hairstyles that actually work.
A perfect hairstyle starts with healthy hair. Give your hair the strength, love and care it deserves with the range of hair care products from Redken India. At Redken, you can find specially curated formulas of shampoos, conditioners, masks, targeted treatments and more that can help you address specific hair concerns. From a hair care range for color-treated hair to products for dry and damaged hair, at Redken, you’ll find a tailored solution for your unique hair needs. You can also brush up on our expert-validated hair styling tips to take your hair transformation to the next level.