Does Heat Protectant Actually Work?

We’ve all been there – maybe you’re in a rush in the morning, or cutting a cheeky corner while straightening your hair, and skip the heat protectant. Can’t be too harmful, right…? I mean, does heat protectant actually work?

The Effects of Heat on Hair

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but realistically, any kind of heat can cause serious damage – whether it be from your hairdryer or hair straightener. We know that the keratin strands in the hair start to change shape when exposed to 140C – which results in weaker hair as it loses its elasticity. Your hair’s pigments also become stripped and can change colour (uh oh, brassy blonde), the cuticle of your hair can crack resulting in frizz, and moisture evaporates from your hair… resulting in dryness.

Terrifying, we know. But thankfully this is super preventable…

How Heat Protectants Work

Heat protectants create a barrier that slows down the process of delivering heat to your strands, making styling much gentler, and reducing the chance of heat damage.

Beyond heat protection, many heat protectants offer extra benefits, including adding moisture, taming flyaways, style longevity, and even UV protection.

However, it’s important to note the key words are “slows” and “reduces” – heat protectants don’t make hair invincible. Cranking the heat on your hair straightener to the max multiple times a day can still cause damage.

To minimize risk, check the maximum temperature your heat protectant can handle and keep your styling tools below this threshold. For best results, always use the lowest heat setting on your styling tool that achieves your desired look.

Which heat protectants are best?

We always recommend using a salon-professional heat protectant for best results – these use the highest quality ingredients that provide the strongest protection for your hair.

Whether you choose a spray, cream, or serum heat protectant depends on your hair type. Finer hair usually prefers a light mist to avoid weighing down the hair, whereas coarse and curly hair types often require additional moisture and frizz control that a cream or serum formula can help provide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Heat Protection

Q. How do I apply heat protection properly?

A. It’s always recommended to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, but as a general guide:

• Always apply heat protection whether you are blow-drying, hair straightening, hair curling, or applying any other form of heat.
• If blow drying, towel dry the hair or allow it to partially air dry first. Then generously apply your spray or cream, ensuring you cover the roots to the ends for full protection.
• If you are using a styling tool, start with clean & completely dry hair. Give your heat protection a good shake and divide your hair into sections. Spray at a distance (15-20cm away) (or apply with your hands if it’s a cream). Comb through your hair gently using a wide-toothed comb to distribute the product from root to tip. Let it dry before applying heat – we don’t want sizzling!

Q. Do I need to reapply heat protection?

A. Yes, if you are restyling or applying additional heat to your hair – you should reapply your heat protectant. The protective barrier fades with repeated styling sessions.

Q. Does heat protection expire?

A. Some brands have a PAO symbol – usually a small drawing of a container with a number and the letter “M”. The number indicates how many months the product will maintain its quality after opening.

Most heat protectant sprays do not have a specific expiry date, but older products may lose effectiveness.

Q. Does heat protection help hold curls?

A. Yes, some heat protectants offer hold. The Redken Thermal Spray 22 High Hold 125ml offers a strong hold that will keep your style locked in. The Wella Eimi Thermal Image 150ml is great for a low to medium hold.

Q. Is it bad to put too much heat protectant on your hair?

A. Using too much heat protectant can leave your hair feeling greasy, weighed down and even crunchy depending on the product – and won’t offer more protection than the recommended amount.

Q. Should I let my heat protectant dry before straightening?

A. Yes! Using high heat on damp hair, even with heat protection isn’t a good idea… If you hear any sizzling when using your hair straightener, let your hair dry further.

Q. Help! I think my hair is already heat damaged… are there any treatments?

A good treatment will definitely help to inject a little bit of extra life into your heat-damaged hair. A protein rich treatment like the Evo Mane Attention Protein Treatment 150ml will help to repair and strengthen, while a moisture-rich mask like the Olaplex No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask 100ml will help redeliver hydration. A bond repair peptide treatment such as the K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask will work to repair the hair at the innermost molecular level, restoring strength and health.