from hot showers to heat styling and summer rays… once you’ve added all of these together, 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, you’ve come to the right place.
image credit: @melissaemily_
how can heat damage your hair?
you won’t be surprised to learn that heat can wreak havoc on your hair, but how exactly does damage occur? well, high temperatures can open up the cuticle (the protective layers of your hair shaft), allowing precious natural moisture to escape and leaving your hair more susceptible to damage.
the hair is also made up of a protein called keratin. 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.
so, 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 include:
- split ends
- dryness and brittleness
- dullness
- increased breakage
- shedding
- colour fading
can heat damaged hair be repaired?
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 the damage. here are our top tips for healthy hair.
commit to regular cuts
if your ends are looking a little scraggly, a healthy cut will do wonders when it comes to preventing further damage and stopping split ends from travelling up the hair shaft.
avoid the maximum heat setting when using hot tools
super-high heat actually causes more harm than good. you may be surprised to hear that higher heats don’t correlate with better styling results, so dial back the settings and opt for a temperature 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 tapping your tresses 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 locks 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.
image credit: @rootz.salon
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.
do hair dryers cause heat damage?
hair dryers can cause heat damage, especially if used incorrectly. on top of the settings of your hair dryer or hair drying technique, things like the quality of the brush you use also have a part to play.
are there heat damaged hair treatments?
evo treatments are here to inject a little bit of extra life into your heat-damaged locks. 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. if you can’t commit to the extra minutes in the shower, top off your hair routine with happy campers, a daily leave-in treatment here to moisturise, strengthen and protect all in a days work.
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.
