All things Heat Protectant by Melissa Bustamante

 Heat protectant the ABC’s and 123’s 

By Melissa Bustamante

 

“Your hair is the ballgown that you never take off. “ - Jo Robertston

Without a doubt even with having “all the things” and the best of the best hair products in our stockpile, it always goes that we need to add a little heat to manage and style our hair. Whether you’re taming your curls, blow drying for volume, or straightening for a clean look, there’s a hot tool for every need. 

Keep in mind that with repeated use of hot tools without a heat protectant can bring about unwanted havoc to that beautiful ballgown!  This is how it happens: your hair strands have an inner cortex (filled with water molecules and keratin) and an outer cuticle, which is smooth and shiny. When you apply heat to your hair, you evaporate the water molecules and crack the outer cuticle, damaging your hair leaving it frizzed and dried, breaking and brittle, as well as, leaving it vulnerable to future damage.  No worries, with the right preventative products you can reduce the chances of heat damaged hair. Now let me give you the breakdown on why utilizing a protectant is a must. I will also name a few of our favs that we have in the salon. 

1. WHY SHOULD WE USE HEAT PROTECTANT AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DON’T?  

When using hot tools on your hair, it is necessary to have the best heat-protectant products on hand in addition to knowing when and how to use them. Heat protectant is a product that works to reduce damage to your hair strands.   It adds a protective layer to your hair to seal in moisture and smooths the outer layer of your hair.  Think of it as your hairs body guard!  

If you do not use heat protectant and continue to exposeyour hair to heat, it can lead to hair damage. Heat can dry out your strands, cause split ends and breakage, and make your hair look dull, among other issues. The heat strips off the natural or artificial color pigments in your hair. It breaks down the keratin protein that gives your hair its strength and elasticity. This causes your hair cuticle to open up and cause frizz. Hair protectant also helps to keepyour hair as healthy and hydrated as possible; which keeps your style looking its best between salon visits.

2. HOW DOES HEAT PROTECANT WORK?

Heat protectants add a barrier between your styling tool and your hair, sealing in moisture and fighting  frizz. They also work to smooth the cuticle, making your hair look smooth and feel soft. 

3. HOW TO USE HEAT PROTECTANT

Depending on the type of heat protectant, you may apply it on damp hair or dry hair before using any hot tools, including blow dryers, curling irons, and straightening irons. Apply section by section, and comb through to distribute the product evenly.

In terms of application, if your hair is thicker, you may want to section of into smaller pieces. If you have thin hair, avoid applying too much of the spray. It’s good to have thermal defense, but too much of a good thing is notalways good for you! You don’t want the product to accumulate. It’s not good for your hair.

You should never heat straighten your hair with any kind of wetness on hair, whether a premium heat protectant or water. When hair remains wet, high temperature from a flat iron heats and boils liquid which is on and in your hair follicles!!

4. WHEN TO USE HEAT PROTECTANT?

As a general rule of thumb, you should use a heat protectant every time you utilize heat styling tools. The best idea is to minimize the number of times you style your hair to reduce the damage.

5. HOW DO I FIND THE RIGHT HEAT PROTECTANT PRODUCT FOR MY HAIR? 

Identify your Hair type and what products you have previously used that worked best and move forward from there. I always turn to my stylist for that advice if I’m not 100% sure. And most days even if I am familiar with what works best I always ask her because she always brings to the table her expert advice and suggestions. 

Listed below are just a few of the many, hairstylist-approved, heat protectants that we carry to add to your routine.  

Kérastase - Nourishing Nectar This lotion is particularly suitable for very dry hair. Enriched with Iris Royal complex, it intensely nourishes and protects the hair fiber up to 230 degrees.

 

Redken Iron Shape This lightweight, thermal heat protection hairspray is perfect for use with flat irons and curling irons up to 450 degrees to protect your hair add shine and reduce frizz.

 

Redken Big Blowout Big Blowout is a gel that melts into hair to provide a voluminous bombshell blowout to all hair types and textures. With anti-frizz and anti-humidity benefits, the heat protectant up to 450 degrees gel is sure to make your blowout last.

 

Serum Chroma Thermique Hair SerumThis frizz-reducing leave-in hair treatment hydrates and protects the hair fiber from external aggressors. The antioxidant-rich formula smoothes, softens, and provides up to 450-degree heat protection.

 

Thermique Régénérant Blow Dry Primer Essentialrevitalizing blow-dry care for lengths and ends. Refining and smoothing leave-in. Hair texture is refined. Cuticles are smoothed. Protects against heat up to 450°F.* 24h frizz-control in 80% humidity.*

 

6. ARE THERE OTHER WAYS TO PREVENT HEAT DAMAGE?

In addition to using your heat protectant, here are just a few pro tips to help save your hair from heat damage.  Allow your hair to partially air dry before using your blow dryer. Limit your use of hot tools by skipping every other day. Adjust your heat settings and don’t pass through the same section of hair too many times. 

Take away

Heat Protectant is your hairs body guard

A regular thermal protectant hair routine can help prevent further heat tool damage. 

Thermal defense is great, but you don’t want product to accumulate. 

Seek and you shall find. Salon Sanity has many options to choose from for thermal hair protectants. The front desk staff will be happy to assist you or ask your stylist.  

In addition to thermal heat protectant products use other methods to save your hair from being  damage. 

As Always love is in the hair – 

Melissa