Heat tools like flat irons and curling irons make it easy to style your hair. And, they provide near-instant results. Why spend time and money at a salon when you can be runway-ready in moments without leaving home?
But, heat-styling tools also come with a price: damage. Extreme heat can dull our natural color, evaporate moisture from each strand and cause our hair to become weak and brittle. Over time, we might have so much breakage that the only solution is to chop it all off.
The good news is, there are plenty of heat protectant options out there (both over the counter and DIY) to protect your hair from the drying, dulling and damaging effects of extreme heat. And, since heat protectants are inexpensive and take only seconds to use, they’re an easy step to add to your morning routine.
Before we get into the details on heat protectants, let’s take a closer look at how extreme heat affects your hair.
How does heat damage hair?
- When our hair is heated above 266° F, damage can result in:
- Decomposition of hair pigment, resulting in brassy and washed out tones
- Denaturing of keratin (proteins which give your hair strength and elasticity)
- Cracking of the hair’s cuticle (outer surface) that weakens the overall structure
- Evaporation of any moisture inside the hair follicle’s cortex, making strands more brittle
Since styling tools like straighteners and curling irons heat our hair somewhere between 203 – 338° F, it’s crucial to shield your hair from heat damage with a heat protectant.
How does heat protectant work?
A heat protectant prevents dryness, dullness, brittleness and breakage in two ways:
1. Slows down the sudden temperature-spike by evenly distributing heat
Heat protectants create a thin barrier between your hair and the styling tool, slowing heat conduction along the hair shaft. So, instead of hair heating up suddenly, the temperature rises gradually, causing less damage overall.
2. Preserves moisture in hair strands
Over the counter (OTC) heat protectants often use silicone-based ingredients that lock-in the natural moisture levels in your hair, keeping water from evaporating and your hair from drying and frizzing out.
For a great natural heat protectant, check out Alterna Bamboo Smooth Anti-Breakage Thermal Protectant Spray -- 4.2 fl oz
Why you should use a heat protectant
From keeping hair hydrated and easier to manage to moisturized and soft as silk, the benefits of heat protectants go beyond just shielding hair from heat’s damaging effects.
- Heat protectants are:
- Quick and easy to apply
- Inexpensive with a variety of options (both OTC and DIY)
- Restorative, locking-in moisture while conditioning and protecting hair from drying and frizzing out
- Detangling by nature, making hair soft to the touch and easier to style
- Protective, as they preserve hair from extreme heat damage
The 3 best natural DIY heat protectants for your hair
1. Coconut oil
One of the most versatile ingredients out there, coconut oil makes an effective, natural at-home heat protectant. Because of its high smoke point of 350° F, coconut oil is great to use with high-heat styling tools.
How to apply:
- Add ¾ cup of water to an empty spray bottle
- Melt 2 to 3 tablespoons coconut oil in a double boiler (cold-pressed coconut oil is best!)
- Pour oil into water, then shake the spray bottle vigorously
- Spritz through damp hair in sections
- Allow hair to dry (or use gentle heat with a hairdryer)
- Use your heat-styling tool
Also try Desert Essence Hair Defrizzer and Heat Protector Coconut -- 8.5 fl oz
2. Avocado oil
With a smoke point of 520° F, avocado oil is a titan when it comes to heat protection. It’s also loaded with healthy (unsaturated) fats that will leave your hair soft to the touch and with an irresistible shine!
How to apply:
- Add ¾ cup of water to an empty spray bottle
- Add 25 – 35 drops of avocado oil
- Shake vigorously
- Spritz through damp hair in sections
- Allow hair to dry (or use gentle heat with a hairdryer)
- Use your heat-styling tool
3. Sunflower oil
The power of sunflower oil lies within its ability to keep your hair smooth and shiny without weighing it down and making it look greasy. This is because sunflower oil is low in both saturated and unsaturated fats, keeping the texture super lightweight. And, with a smoke point of 450° F, it will stand up to those extreme heat styling tools you love to use!
How to apply:
- Add ¾ cup of water to an empty spray bottle
- Add 25 – 35 drops of sunflower oil
- Shake vigorously
- Spritz through damp hair in sections
- Allow hair to dry (or use gentle heat with a hairdryer)
- Use your heat-styling tool
Also try Not Your Mother's Beat The Heat™ Thermal Shield Spray -- 6 fl oz
Reward your hair with some TLC
When hair is healthy, it helps us to look and feel our best. So, it’s important to take steps to make sure it stays strong, healthy and beautiful as can be! While heat protectants offer some protection against extreme heat, it’s just as important to give your hair a break every now and then.
Try some days where you skip the heat tools altogether and allow your hair to air-dry, or switch up your style with some braids or some beachy, Bohemian waves. And, to rejuvenate those lovely locks, be sure to use a hair conditioning treatment or repairing shampoo/conditioner.
