How Does Heat Damage Your Hair?

Heat plays a significant role in several aspects of life; however, it has a very adverse effect on it when it comes to hair. Heat is capable of causing serious damage to your beautiful luscious locks. Heat styling tools are extremely tempting to use since they help us create the perfect hairstyle; however, it all comes with a heavy price. Not only that, natural heat too can damage your hair. We tend to protect our skin from the sun’s harmful rays by using sunscreen and various other treatments. However, when it comes to hair, we tend to ignore that entirely. According to dermatologist Wilma Bergfeld, the UVA and UVB rays of the sun can lead to hair discoloration, dry and brittle strands, thinning, and frizziness of hair. So let us dive deep into the ways of protecting your hair from the serious damages that heat is capable of causing.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HAIR FROM HEAT DAMAGE NATURALLY?

Instead of wasting your bucks on overpriced products sold over the counter, you will be surprised to know how the ingredients that you already possess casually lying around your household can actually work wonders in protecting your hair from heat.

images: EnvatoElements

Almond oil has a very high smoke point which makes it a perfect natural heat protection agent. It is also rich in vitamin E, D, B1, B2, B6, and A, all nutrients that facilitate the healthy growth of hair. So apart from heat protection, it promotes hair growth and improves the quality of your hair drastically. Apply 2-3 drops on your damp hair, and you are good to go.

Shea butter is a remarkable heat protectant because of its thermal conductivity. In simpler words, it creates a protective barrier around your hair which minimizes hair damage. It also helps in detangling knots and gives the hair an overall healthy appearance. This ingredient is very commonly found in hair masks used for the deep conditioning of hair.

Most shampoos available are full of harsh chemicals like sulfate, which causes further harm to your already damaged hair. Read – Home remedies for hair loss. However, you can make your own shampoo which is mild and will help your hair recover gently and eventually. For making your very own shampoo at home, you will need the following ingredients :

• 1/2 cup distilled water

• 1/2 liquid castile soap

• 1/2 cup aloe vera gel

• 10-12 drops of vitamin E oil

• 2 teaspoons vegetable glycerine

• A few drops of your favorite essential oils

Pour them all in a container and mix them well. Then, apply a dime-sized amount to your hair, massage it in for a couple of minutes, and wash it off using cold water.

Homemade DIY hair mask:

Hair mask benefits are immense, it deeply nourishes and has repair qualities that enable our hair to heal. Its deep conditioning banishes any signs of hair damage, thus leaving your hair feeling soft and shiny. Here are some easy to made and highly effective homemade hair mask ideas

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1. Banana and olive oil hair mask

This is going to help you with improving the texture of your hair. The ingredients of this mask are:

  •  Mash one ripe banana.
  •  Add about 8 to 10 drops of pure almond oil.
  •  Blend this together and massage it into your hair.
  •  Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before washing it off with a mild shampoo.

2. Egg and yogurt mask

The egg is rich in protein which is considered to be the building block of hair, and milk provides a dash of healthy fats and lactic acids, and together they work magic on damaging hair. Here’s how to make it

  •  In half a cup of yogurt whisk two eggs.
  •  Apply this mixture throughout your hair and scalp.
  •  Keep it for 20-30 minutes.
  •  Wash it off with gentle shampoo and cool water.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HAIR FROM HEAT WHILE STRAIGHTENING?

Hair straighter is an extremely versatile tool that helps achieve various hairstyles, especially the sleek and straight hair look currently in vogue. But it does involve a lot of heat damage. So is there a way to still use it and avoid the heat damage? The answer is yes! You can still straighten your hair frequently and avoid the heat damage that comes with it. Let us find out how

images: EnvatoElements

o Using a proper thermal protectant before the application of heat

There are various heat protectant products available in the market that create a protective layer, thus preventing the heat from reaching directly to your strands. Make sure to use it a few minutes before using your hair straightener to minimize heat damage.

o Using hair straighteners with ceramic plates

The ceramic plate on this device shields hair with negatively charged ions and helps to keep your stands smooth. The iron also protects colored hair, read a detailed article about hair coloring and its pros and cons and it comes with an LCD temperature display, which helps keep track and control how much heat is desirable to be used on your hair.

o Divide your hair into small sections

This helps to avoid unequal distribution of heat on your hair strands. Straightening in bigger chunks can lead to a few strands being exposed to a greater amount of heat, leading to hair breakage and frying of hair. Proper sectioning of hair can reduce having to go over the same strand of hair several times and get the work done more efficiently without causing damage.

o Seal the finished hairstyle with the right products,

Using the right lightweight serum that penetrates your hair, making it feel smooth and soft after using a straightener, is an equally important step since it stops hair from getting frizzy and holds the hairstyle for a longer time, thus helping you avoid reheating and restyling of hair.

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CAN YOU STRAIGHTEN YOUR HAIR NATURALLY WITHOUT APPLYING HEAT?

There are ways you can achieve a straight hair look without even having to use heating tools!

o Using a hairdryer in the cold setting

o Use your hairdryer in the old setting and brush your hair gently with a comb. This helps to dry and straighten your hair naturally without the application of any form of heat.

o Using bobby pins

Section your hair while it is still a little damp, and then take one section and put it across to the other side and secure it with bobby pins. Do it to your entire hair and put a soft satin hair cap on and go to sleep. Wake up in the morning to reveal your beautiful straight hair, all done without any heat application.

images: EnvatoElements

o Use apple cider vinegar as a rinse

Apple cider vinegar restores hair’s PH balance which drastically changes hair texture. Take half a cup of apple cider vinegar in a spritzer bottle and add one cup of water to it. After washing your hair, spray this solution on your hair and run your fingers through your hair. Leave it for a few minutes, wash it off with lukewarm water, and voila, here you have straight hair without using any heat application.

Thus with the help of the natural ways of straightening your hair, you can reduce the amount of heat you put on your hair, thus reducing heat damage. Then you can go ahead and try the natural remedies stated in the article for reversing the impact of heat damage and restoring naturally healthy and strong hair.

Reference

https://www.naturalhairrules.com/using-heat-natural-hair-heat-damage/

https://www.healthshots.com/beauty/hair-care/9-ingredients-to-straighten-hair-naturally-at-home/

Also read about ways how to decide on a perfect haircut.

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