How To Prevent Damage Of Hair From Heat Styling

By Author: Mike Epstain
Total Articles: 87
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Hair straighteners, curlers, crimpers and blow dryers are standard pieces of equipment in our vanity today. We all are aware of how frequent heat styling damages our hair. Still, somehow or the other, we cannot steer clear from these heat styling tools.

Impact of heat on the hair

Using the heat styling tools on our hair has several negative impacts on it. In the first place, it ruins the health of our hair completely. Our hair becomes dry, rough, lifeless and loses its lustre and bounce. The primary damage caused by the heat styling tools are-

It destroys the health of the scalp and the hair surface. The hair cuticles become rougher due to the fissures, cracks, micropores, holes etc. It is a well-known fact that excessive heat in the inter-cuticle membrane causes hair damage and makes perforations in the cuticle. In a period, the cuticles get completely destroyed and leave the hair unprotected.
Excessive heat causes denaturation of the protein in our hair resulting in its structural damage. According to the experts of a clinic offering hair replacement service in California, the proteins, which are present in our hair follicles remain in an α-helical structure in its natural form. This unique helical conformation gives strength to the fibrous protein of the hair. The heat of the styling tool denatures the protein causing the helical structure to open up. As a result, the core structure of the hair is weakened.
In addition to protein denaturation, excessive heat also causes loss of the lipids and other smaller protein molecules, which are present in the cell membrane complex. As a result, the hair loses its strength, feels drier and lifeless.
Using hot combs on the hair on a regular basis causes increased breakage of hair and hair loss due to weakened external and internal health of the hair.
Hair that is damaged due to heat loses its capability to retain moisture in the follicles. This primarily happens due to loss of lipids and changes in the native structure of the protein. Eventually, the hair feels coarse, drier and appears like straw.

How To Prevent The Hair Damage

Although it is okay to indulge in heat styling of hair once in a while, it is essential to make sure that we do not make it a habit. Here are some tips that can be followed to make sure that we are not overusing these thermal tools.

Letting the hair dry naturally as frequently as possible. According to the experts of a salon offering hair replacement service in Concord, the problems of hair loss have aggravated considerably amongst the young adults over the last few years. Overuse of hair dryers and other styling tools is one of the most fundamental reasons behind this. Besides, styling the hair in tight and complicated updos, tight buns or ponytails contributes to hair loss as well. This is known as Traction alopecia. Thus, it is advised to tie up the hair into loose buns, braids or ponytails and avoid the heat styling tools as far as possible.
We often tend to use our heat styling tools on our wet hair out of laziness to dry it out entirely or when we are running late. This causes "bubble hair" - a severe and irreversible damage to our hair. Heat styling breaks down the hydrogen bonds present in our hair. Thus, it is dangerous to apply direct concentrated heat on dry/damp hair. Hence, it is advised to wait for the hair to dry completely before using any thermal tools.
Alternatively, the hair can be blow-dried on a medium-low setting to speed up the process of drying.
It is important to understand the texture of the hair and control the settings of the hairstyling tool accordingly. For example,there is no need for the hottest possible setting for thin and wispy hair. It is always better to start slowly and gradually do what is required.
As already mentioned earlier, hair styling makes the hair dry and takes away the moisture from the hair follicles. Thus, it is important to hydrate the hair adequately before using the heat styling tools and afterwards as well to make sure that the moisture of the hair is replenished. Massaging the scalp gently with almond or coconut oil twice a week can help to restore the moisture of the hair.
ALWAYS use a heat protectant product along the lengths of the hair before applying the styling tools.
It is advised not to keep the hair styling tool at one place for a long time. It is likely to cause more damage to the hair. The tools should always keep moving.
The use of hair styling tools should be restricted to three to four times a week at the max. There are a lot of hairstyles that can be done without using any heat styling tools as well like- messy bun, waterfall braid, fishtail braid, french knot etc. These hairstyles are very easy to do and at the same time, look effortlessly chic and elegant as well.