subject: Protecting Your Hair From Heat Damage [print this page] Human hair needs plenty of moisture to stay in good shape and look fabulous. Dry hair results in broken strands, hair loss and split ends as well as frizziness and static. Unfortunately, most of the damage caused to hair is self-inflicted.
The biggest predator of healthy hair is styling products that operate using high heat levels. Blow dryers, curling irons and flat irons can rob the hair of its natural surface moisture. Without this layer to protect the hair, internal moisture simply evaporates, leaving dry and damaged hair in its wake.
Perhaps you've tried every moisture enriching shampoo, deep conditioner and heat prone styling product out there, but still can't revitalize your hair. If you can't live without your heated styling appliances, then you'll just have to adapt the way you use them in order to protect your precious tresses.
Blow dryers have both low and high settings for a reason. That is, of-course, to give the consumer a choice about how much heat they want to use. Lower settings are cooler temperatures and are less invasive to the fragile hair. While using a blow dryer on a lower setting may take longer to get your hair dried, it's much less damaging. Plus, you'll be less likely to have flash burns and static. So if you must blow dry, do so on low.
If you've ever used a flat iron or curling iron on wet hair, you've noticed how much steam rises. This is not a novelty to marvel at, nor is it a good idea. Using superheated appliances on wet hair is extremely damaging as it scorches the hair, strips the natural moisture and usually breaks several strands of hair in the process. These tools were designed for use on dry hair and should never be showing steam when in use. Not only that, but dry hair is actually quicker and easier to style, as it doesn't get weighed down by water.
The best advice to protect your hair from damage is to avoid using heated tools altogether. However, if you really can't live without them, at least use them wisely. Your hair will thank you for it.
