Sometimes we all want to shake things up a little. After all, rocking the same hairstyle every day can get a little dull. However, in our pursuit of pushing the boundaries of our personal style, we can inadvertently do damage to our hair by using products like straighteners and curling irons.
This is where heat-protectant haircare in the form of sprays and creams comes in, but just how effective are they at shielding our hair from harm?
The facts about heat damage on your hair
Modern styling products such as straighteners, curling irons, and blow-dryers harness the impactful power of intense heat to shape your hair. However, this is a totally unnatural environment for your hair to be in, and as a result, you can accidentally cause harm.
Abusing hot styling products can result in your hair becoming overly dry, which then leads to split ends, increased frizz, and even situations where pieces of your hair can literally fall out. Clearly, nobody wants this. This is why it is super important to take your hair care seriously and to protect it from the elements.
The facts about heat protectant sprays & creams
Heat-protectant haircare is most commonly found in the forms of sprays and creams. Each type of product works to fortify your hair strands and scalp but does so in slightly different ways.
For example, a spray will be a quicker and easier way of applying protection if you are in a rush or need to save time, with the water-based formula encasing itself around your hair particles. On the other hand, the cream is made from thick oils and moisturizers and requires more time to be massaged into your hair with your hands.
Either way, both products act to form a protective layer over your hair so you can then use further styling tools. They don’t completely protect your hair from damage, that’s impossible, but they do strongly minimize the impact of heat damage.
When to use heat-protectant products
Simple, before you style your hair. This isn’t rocket science. Before you intend to use hot tools, you must take the time to fully prepare your hair. Using a good spray will speed up your preparation time, but don’t discount the richness and thickness of an effective cream to ensure your hair gets that extra wall of safety. Ultimately the choice is yours, but give at least 15-20 minutes of prep time for your hair to feel the full benefits of your protectants.
Final word
That’s all you need to know, really. Ensuring your hair stays as strong and as healthy as possible is an essential need. Of course, the damage will occur on a daily basis, that’s just natural. However, minimizing that damage will give you the best chance to preserve your luscious locks for longer.
We’d recommend trialing both types of hair protectant products to get a feel for which you prefer. Good luck!