Heat styling tools are needed to achieve a perfect blowout and a variety or straight, wavy and curly styles. But using a blow drying, curling iron and/or flat iron too often — or at too high of a heat setting — can fry your hair. Without proper care, too much heat can cause dullness, dryness, split ends and breakage.
Why is Heat Bad?
Curling irons, flat irons and blow dryers can help create a great look, but it’s best to use them in moderation. Heat styling tools can give you the look you want, but they can also cause breakage, damage and over-drying.
Your hair contains keratin proteins and hydrogen bonds. When you use high heat styling tools, it breaks down the hydrogen bonds, which temporarily changes the texture of your hair in order to create the straight and sleek, or wavy and curly looks you’re trying to achieve. But these broken bonds also strip your hair of important natural oils and proteins.
Damage from frequent overuse of heat, or using styling tools on damp hair, is called “bubble hair.” Each strand of hair has voids filled with air. When you abuse your hair with heat, the hair will form “bubbles” that contribute to irregular texture and can lead to more breakage. So it’s important to be mindful about how to protect your hair when using heat styling tools.
Also, how you prepare your hair before using a heat styling tool depends on many things, including your hair texture, health and the desired look you’re going for. By protecting your hair and minimizing heat styling damage, you can look your very best. Remember these tips:
- Moisturize
Excessive heat styling causes dehydration, and dried out strands leads to dull, brittle hair. The cure is to replenish your hair’s moisture. Use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, and try a weekly deep-conditioning hair mask. Moisturizing oils and serums can also help. - Use a Heat Protectant
Before you use any hot tool, it’s critical to first spray or smooth on a heat protectant. Look for specially-formulated products that create a protective coating around the hair fiber to prevent moisture loss and reduce dehydration. Many can also boost volume and shine. - Air Dry and Take a Break from Hot Tools
Go natural by air drying your hair and embrace your hair’s natural texture. Use a leave-in conditioner and then perhaps some texturizing spray or mousse. Sleep in damp hair fixed in a braid or bun to encourage some natural waves. - Turn the Heat Lower
Also try to use hot tools on the lowest setting that will work on your hair. Start with a lower heat setting and work your way up to find what will work. And never hold a hot tool in one spot for too long. With curling irons, that usually means more that 5-10 seconds. - Never Put Heat on Wet Hair
Your hair should never sizzle when you use a hot tool. If your hair is not 100% dry, you run the risk of creating bubble hair. Blow dry your hair on a low setting before using an iron. - Use Good Tools
With flat irons and straighteners, look for temperature controls and high quality plates. For blow dryers, use a nozzle attachment to distribute heat more evenly.