How to Fix Heat-Damaged Hair
4 min readYou are not alone if you love styling your hair with heat tools. Whether it’s a straightener, curling iron, or blow dryer, heat styling has become a go-to method for achieving a variety of hairstyles. However, this can take a toll on your hair and lead to heat damage. Heat-damaged hair can be dry, brittle, and prone to breakage, making it difficult to style and manage.
If you’re dealing with heat-damaged hair, you may wonder how to fix it. The good news is that with a few simple tips and tricks, you can help repair your hair and restore it to its healthy, vibrant state. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best ways to fix heat-damaged hair, so you can look and feel your best. Come explore some tips and techniques for fixing heat-damaged hair with us, from adjusting your styling routine to using nourishing hair care products.
Whether dealing with minor heat damage or more severe breakage and split ends, these strategies can help you revitalize your hair and achieve a luscious, healthy-looking mane.
1. Take a break from heat styling
The first step in fixing heat-damaged hair is to give your hair a break from heat-styling tools. Avoid using your straightener, curling iron, or hair dryer for a few weeks to allow your hair to recover.
Instead, use heat-free styling techniques like braids, twists, or updos. There are great websites online that teach you how to achieve the same look with heat-free techniques!
2. Trim your ends
Heat damage can cause split ends and breakage, making your hair look dull and unhealthy. Trimming your ends regularly can help prevent further damage and promote healthy growth.
Visit a hair salon and request a trim to remove any split or damaged ends. This will allow for the healthy growth of your hair! Be sure to let your hair stylist know what you are dealing with and what you are hoping to achieve— they will surely be able to provide some insight into how to best manage your heat-damaged hair.
3. Use nourishing hair care products
Heat-damaged hair needs extra care and attention to stay healthy. Use gentle, nourishing hair care products that are designed for damaged hair. Look for products that contain ingredients like keratin, argan oil, or coconut oil, which can help restore moisture and repair damaged hair.
Keratin is a protein that makes up the structure of your hair. Heat damage can cause the keratin in your hair to break down, so using keratin products can help strengthen and repair your strands. Argan oil, as well, is a nourishing oil that can help restore moisture to your hair and protect it from further damage. Look for hair oils or leave-in treatments that contain argan oil.
4. Deep condition regularly
Deep conditioning treatments can help repair heat-damaged hair by restoring moisture and nutrients to your strands. Use a deep conditioning mask or treatment once weekly to boost your hair’s hydration and nourishment. Hydrating masks can help restore moisture to dry, brittle hair.
Look for masks containing shea butter, avocado oil, or honey. Apply the treatment to your hair, leave it on for the recommended time, and then rinse thoroughly.
5. Protect your hair from heat damage
When you start using heat styling tools again, use a heat protectant spray or serum to help protect your hair from further damage. There are many great options to choose from online— many even have their scent, so you can find one that fits your needs exactly!
Apply the product to your hair before using your styling tool, and use the lowest heat setting possible. High heat can cause more damage, so use the lowest temperature setting that still achieves your desired style. Moreover, wet hair is more prone to damage from heat styling tools. Allow your hair to air dry, or use a blow dryer on a low setting to dry your hair before using any heat tools.
6. Be gentle with your hair
Heat-damaged hair is more fragile and prone to breakage, so it’s important to be gentle when brushing or styling it. After washing your hair, gently detangle your strands with a wide-tooth comb. This will help prevent breakage and further damage. You want to avoid brushing your hair when wet, as wet hair is more prone to breakage, as we mentioned previously.
Moreover, tight hairstyles like ponytails and buns can pull on your hair and cause breakage. If you must wear your hair up, choose loose styles that don’t put too much tension on your strands. Finally, friction from your pillowcase can cause breakage and damage your hair. Consider using a satin or silk pillowcase or wrapping your hair in a silk scarf or bonnet to protect your strands while you sleep.