from hot showers to heat styling and summer rays… you might be surprised to know just how much heat your hair encounters on a regular basis. heat plays a pretty big role when it comes to the health of your hair, and we’re all a little guilty of exposing it to more than we should… so if you want to know exactly how heat affects your hair and what you can do to minimise damage, we’ve got you covered.
how can heat damage your hair?
while it might be a no-brainer that heat can wreak havoc on your hair, you might be wondering how exactly damage occurs? at high temperatures, your hair’s cuticle (the protective outer layer of your hair) opens up, allowing precious moisture to escape, leaving your hair more susceptible to damage.
image credit: @melissaemily_
your hair is made up of a protein called keratin. repeated exposure to high heat can alter the keratin structure of the hair, causing it to weaken. think of your hair like a delicate silk shirt: the more frequently you use a hot iron to press it, the faster the fabric will weaken.
signs of heat damage
if you’re frequently reaching for a hair dryer, straightener, or curler, you may want to keep an eye out for signs of heat damage. these can include:
- split ends - the tips of your hair look frayed or forked instead of having clean, smooth ends
- dryness and brittleness - your hair feels rough to the touch and breaks when you run your fingers through it
- dullness - your hair has lost its natural shine and looks flat or lifeless
- increased breakage - you're noticing more short pieces in your brush than usual
- shedding - more hair than normal is coming out when you wash, brush or style
- colour fading - if you have coloured hair, the vibrancy is disappearing faster than it should
- frizz - your hair won't smooth down and has a fluffy, uncontrolled texture, even after styling
- difficulty styling - your usual routine isn't working and your hair won't hold styles like it used to
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how to repair or prevent heat-damaged hair
the truth is that there is no hard and fast way to repair your hair from heat damage. instead, it’s all about prevention and minimising future damage. here are our top tips for healthy hair:
commit to regular cuts
if your ends are looking a little scraggly, a good cut will do wonders when it comes to preventing further damage and stopping split ends from travelling further up the hair shaft.
avoid the maximum heat setting when using hot tools
super high heat causes more harm than good. you may be surprised to hear that higher heat doesn’t actually get you better styling results, so dial back the temperature and aim for between 150°c to 180°c. we even recommend putting down the heat tools for a hot minute to give your hair a bit of a break.
always use heat protectant when heat styling
this one is a no-brainer. before touching your hair with the straightener, be sure to apply a heat protectant like icon welder, mister fantastic, toning mist or easy tiger, to make sure your hair is guarded from uv and heat damage.
use hair products tailored to dry, damaged hair
we’ve curated products for dry hair and damaged hair so you can give your hair some much needed tlc. from your shampoo and conditioner routine to your treatment and styling products, we’ve got all the tools to moisturise, strengthen and put the love back where it belongs.
consider deep conditioners and treatments
when it comes to reviving hair with heat damage, regular conditioning isn't always enough. when regular conditioner won’t cut it, use a deep conditioning mask or treatment (like the great hydrator) to replenish moisture, smooth and strengthen your hair, and increase manageability, while leaving it looking and feeling healthier.
avoid over-styling
the simplest way to protect hair from heat damage is to use hot tools less. give your hair a much-needed break by adding air-dry days and styles that work with your natural texture. when you do use heat, use products formulated to protect your hair, and lower the heat settings to prevent further heat damage.
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heat-damaged hair faqs
what heat temperature damages hair?
we hate to be the bearers of bad news, but the reality is that any sort of heat can cause damage. keratin strands in the hair begin to change shape once exposed to temperatures over 140°c, which over time leads to weaker hair as it loses its elasticity.
can the sun cause heat damage to your hair?
much like your skin, exposure to the sun can cause significant damage to your hair. grab a heat and uv protectant like day of grace pre-style primer to protect your hair against the elements.
can heat damage cause hair loss?
heat damage doesn’t necessarily cause hair loss from the hair follicle, but be mindful that hair can become more prone to breakage as the result of heat damage, causing hair to look and feel thinner overall.
do hair dryers cause heat damage?
hair dryers can absolutely cause heat damage, especially if you’re going at it without heat protection. on top of the settings of your hair dryer or hair drying technique, things like the quality of the brush you use can also have a part to play in whether or not your drying technique will cause damage to your locks.
are there heat-damaged hair treatments?
evo treatments are here to inject a little bit of extra life into your heat-damaged hair. reach for a protein-rich treatment like mane attention protein treatment or give your hair an intense dose of moisture with the great hydrator moisture mask. as an added reparative bonus, top off your hair care routine with happy campers, a daily leave-in treatment here to moisturise, strengthen and protect.
now that you’ve got the fundamentals of heat damage down pat, why not brush up your knowledge on split ends or purple shampoo? at evo, your tailored haircare routine awaits.
