Is heat protectant really that important?

There's something magical about a good hair day. Sometimes it happens naturally, and sometimes it takes a bit (or a lot!) of extra styling. If you're after sleek straightness, bouncy curls, or those "effortless" beachy waves, before you grab the nearest styling tool, let's talk about heat protectant.

Is heat protectant really that important?

Short answer: if you want healthy hair, yes, it is!

Heated styling tools like straighteners, curling irons, and blow dryers do an amazing job of taming hair that won't behave the way you want it to. But over time, they can also wreak havoc on your hair by causing damage the outer layer (also known as the cuticle).

That's where heat protectant helps. It acts as an invisible shield, or barrier, between your hair strands and the high heat of any styling tools. The barrier slows down heat conduction within the hair, meaning the hair heats up more gently and steadily instead of just getting frazzled.

Why exactly is heat protectant so crucial?

First off, heat protectant helps prevent moisture loss. When hair gets too hot (above 130 degrees celcius) the excessive heat can strip your hair's natural oils. Your natural oils, or sebum, act as a protective barrier. However, once sebum is removed, water molecules (aka moisture) from inside the hair evaporate, leaving it dry and prone to breakage. Under the high heat, any evaporation of moisture is quicker and more intensified.

Next, the cuticle layer cracks. This makes the hair brittle and rough-feeling. And thirdly, the keratin proteins inside the hair that give it the strength are broken down by the intense heat and disappear through the cracks. Not good.

Luckily a spritz of heat protectant before styling can lock the moisture in, keeping your strands soft, supple, and ultimately, strong.

And there's more! Heat protectant doesn't just shield your hair from heat damage; it also acts as a smoother of any frizz and flyaways. That barrier smoothes down the cuticle resulting in sleeker and shinier hair.

Is heat protectant important for every hair type?

Whether you've got long, short, curly, straight, thick, or fine hair, heat protectant is a game-changer for everyone. It's especially important for hair that is already naturally dry and for hair that's been through the wringer with chemical processes like highlights and bleach. Trust me; your hair will thank you later.

Not all heat protectants are created equal though. Look for a lightweight, non-greasy formula that won't weigh your hair down or leave it feeling sticky. Bonus points if it's infused with a gorgeous botanical scent like the hair perfume with heat protector that we make with essential oil blends.

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Our hair perfume with heat protection comes in three fragrances made with essential oil blends – choose Floral, Citrus or Musk.
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When is heat protectant best applied?

It's all about prep work when it comes to heat protectant. The first step in your hair styling routine, the foundation upon which you build your hairstyle.

Ideally, you'll want to spritz on your heat protectant just before reaching for those styling tools, whether you're blow-drying, straightening, or curling. A light mist of heat protectant, on damp, towel dried hair if you've just washed it, or straight onto dry hair will do the trick. Just give it a few seconds to settle into the hair, and then you're good to go.

A pro tip: less is more. You don't need to drench your hair in heat protectant to get the job done, but it must be distributed evenly. A little goes a long way, so start with a small spritz onto small-ish sections throughout your hair, paying extra attention to the ends where damage tends to be most prevalent.

Although there isn't any SPF in it, it can be beneficial to use heat protectant in your hair before going in the sun to protect it from UV rays. Especially if you have coloured hair, it will help in preventing the colour from fading. Although really the best sun protection for your hair is to keep it covered up under a hat.

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Can't decide on one fragrance? Why not get a set of all three...
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So – is heat protection really important?

Yes, there you have it – heat protection is a must-have in your hair care kit. Remember, healthy hair is happy hair, and heat protectant is your ticket to keeping those strands feeling lovely. Style away without worrying about damage, and let your hair shine brightly.

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