Heat Protectants: Do They Actually Prevent Hair Damage?

We all know the worst thing you can do to your hair is apply heat to it and bleach, I’m guilty of both! Anyway, heat is horrible for your hair. Curling, straightening or crimping, basically spell out one thing: DAMAGE.

That being said, I’m not planning on sitting with my hair in plaits just because I’ll be killing it with heat otherwise. I know, neither will you! So what can we do? Well, the answer seems simple enough, heat protection!

What are heat protectants for hair? Basically heat protectants are products that create a sort of layer over your hair’s surface, saving it from heat damage. They usually come in the form of a spray, sometimes a mousse. Do they really work? Well, yes they do!

I know there are a zillion products out there that make big hair care promises. Anti-hairfall, no split ends, no breakage etc… Usually these are all false. Heat protection products on the other hand make a small promise, and live up to it! Of course, if you keep your straightener on 200 degrees, there’s very little a mere spray will do for you, but used right, it can save your tresses.

Could any of these heat protectant for hair be bad for you? To know that, we need to know what’s in them…

Heat breaks down hair proteins, it makes hair rough and dry and the products you use to protect it, counteract these effects.

Usually, a heat protectant hair spray has a bunch of ingredients, starting from alcohol to silicone. Sounds scary right? Don’t worry, it really isn’t!

Which among the following is a good heat protectant for hair?

• Alcohol: Alcohol is a base for the ingredients to stay dissolved in, once sprayed it evaporates.

• Silicone: Silicones, commonly dimethicone but any ending in ‘cone’ is a conditioner, it forms a layer on your hair and makes your cuticles lie flat so your hair doesn’t frizz. You can find this ingredient in your everyday conditioner too! But remember if you have oily hair, find a product with minimum silicone, it will build up and make your hair greasy and flat. Not a good look!

• Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein: This stuff is the bomb! This is what your hair will soak up and it will help nourish it and makes it soft, especially since its own protein is being broken down by heat

• Pvp / Dmapa Acrylates Copolymer: That’s a mouthful! Like silicones, this helps in coating your hair and detangling it. Less snags and more protection!

• Quaternary 70: Found in higher end products, this helps to keep hair smooth and frizz free after heat styling.

But are they safe?! Yes, yes they are! In my research I have found that none of these products pose any concerns to us or our hair! At the most those silicones will be weighing you down if you use too much but otherwise safe as can be! So why not spare a few seconds and spray on some heat hair protectant? There are so many on the market so save your hair, just take your pick!