With a myriad of styling tools on the market, achieving the perfect look has never been easier. As most of them require heat, more and more men and women are noticing the unfortunate side effect of hair damage – and as a result, many are reluctant to make use of them on a daily basis. There is a solution though, heat protectant products, so you can style your hair as often as you like with little worry.
Protecting your hair from heat styling
Imagine the freedom of having any hairstyle you want. You can go from curly to straight hair between work and that big night out with just a little effort. Heat protectant spray can be the perfect addition to your styling routine and while it will help to save your hair from damaging temperatures, it will also nourish and provide some additional moisture when you need it most. It typically functions as a leave-in treatment that is applied to either wet or dry hair before using heated tools. For maximum results, comb your hair through after spraying and ensure that it is completely dry.
Is using a heat protectant spray necessary?
The answer is yes, no matter how little or often you use heated styling tools. Damage can still occur, after all hair isn’t designed to withstand the levels of direct heat applied, but heat protectant spray can dramatically minimise these detrimental effects. If you start to use these before styling your hair, you’re likely to notice an improvement in hair health, glossiness, shine, a reduction in frizz and split ends and overall better-looking hair.
Choosing the right heat protectant spray
As there are plenty of reputable brands out there, it can be important to define your needs before selecting one. Here are the key factors to keep in mind:
1. Your hair type and texture
Many of these sprays are created with specific hair types and textures in mind, so be sure to choose the one that best meets your needs. For example, if your hair is coloured, a colour-safe formula will be ideal, just as if you have curly hair, one that is clearly tailored for curly hair will be best. All hair types and lengths will benefit from the additional level of care, but one that is specially formulated will perform at optimum capacity.
2. The time of year
Your hair will likely have different needs depending on the weather. For instance, choosing sprays that minimise breakage can be worthwhile in the summer months and those that prioritise moisture can be great for autumn and winter. If you are going on holiday or visiting the beach, remember that the salt in seawater may affect your hair and lower the spray’s performance.
3. Pay attention to the ingredients
You should always avoid your scalp to ensure that the product doesn’t overwhelm your skin and it can be a good idea to avoid ingredients like silicone. The best components to look out for are humectants, natural oils, amino acids and natural plant extracts – and a combination of these will be especially worthwhile.
4. Check the instructions for use before you buy
As different brands and sprays will have specific functions, they may have varying rules for use. If you are looking for a leave-in treatment, it won’t make sense to buy one that requires you to use it more like a traditional conditioner (and rinse it out before actually styling). Using the one you buy in the wrong way can also affect how well it works on your hair.
Should you use it daily?
You should use this spray every time you style your hair with heated tools, but to keep your hair as healthy as possible, you should aim to use those tools as little as possible. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t style your hair everyday, but to take frequent breaks and add hair masks and serums to your weekly care routine to ensure you’re doing all you can to protect your hair.
Are heat protectant sprays worth the extra investment?
When you style your hair with heated tools, it may feel unnecessary to add both time and effort to your routine by factoring in an extra product. If you are unsure, remember that the health of your hair can be dramatically improved, so this should play a part in your decision. In terms of money, these sprays are typically affordable and a little extra investment each month could save you a more significant sum of cash long-term, as you are likely to reduce salon visits to counter the effects of damaged hair.
