Things to Know: How to Fix Heat Damaged Hair?
Many people deal with the issue of damaged hair due to the excessive use of heat styling tools.
As per the statistics by The Hair Society, 35 million men and 21 million women suffer from hair loss.
But the good news is, there are ways to fix heat-damaged hair and bring it back to its healthy, shiny state.
In this article, we will discuss the question asked by everyone “How to fix heat damaged hair?”
We will also tell you about the causes, diagnosis, and different levels of heat damage to hair.
Fixing heat-damaged hair
If you use styling tools like blow dryers, straighteners, or curling irons often, you may have experienced heat-damaged hair.
This can cause your hair to become dry, brittle, and prone to breakage and split ends.
Fortunately, there are some ways in which you can repair and prevent further heat damage.
Get a haircut
One of the significant heat damage treatments is getting a haircut.
This can be the one way to reverse the damage by removing hair having split ends or weakened using hot tools.
Depending on the severity of heat damage, you may need to cut a few inches from your hair.
Trim the ends
If some people are not ready to get a complete haircut, they may get regular hair trims.
The end of the hair is the most damaged because they get heated for the longest period.
Getting trims regularly can remove split ends, which prevents them from creating further damage.
This will help in maintaining the same hair length while managing heat damage.
Removing damaged and split ends helps your hair feel softer and less tangled.
Change haircare products
Changing your hair care products to sulfate and parabens-free ones can significantly help and are specifically made for damaged hair.
Shampoos and conditioners for damaged hair can add moisture to the hair and help in building protein bonds.
Do not wash your hair regularly; consider having a gap between the washes.
This will help natural oils build and create a protective barrier around the hair.
Handle wet hair carefully
Hair is very vulnerable when wet; handling it carefully is very important.
Change your regular hair towel to a microfiber one, or use a t-shirt to blot the hair rather than rub it to remove excess water.
Use a wide-tooth comb when you brush wet hair; try not to pull when you reach a knot.
You can also apply a detangler if you have very tangled hair before combing.
Hair mask
Using high heat settings on styling tools can strip the moisture from your hair, causing it to become severely dehydrated.
This can happen with blow dryers, flat irons, or curling irons at a higher temperature.
You can hydrate your hair by using a moisturizing hair mask.
Apply the hair mask once or twice a week, and let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes before washing.
You can even apply a hair mask at night, sleep with it, and rinse it in the morning.
Stop coloring your hair
Hair coloring involves various chemical processes that can increase the already present damage.
You will surely want to avoid worsening your hair, so stopping hair coloring is helpful.
You can consult a hairstylist to determine what suits you best.
Consider air drying
If you continue using hot tools regularly can further damage your hair.
Let your hair get dry from the air after showering, and go for a natural look.
This can greatly help if you do it twice a week to give your hair a break from the heat.
Use heat protectant
A heat protectant is one of the most important treatments for damaged hair.
These come in various forms, such as creams and sprays, and can be applied to dry or wet hair.
They help in creating a barrier between your hair and the hot tools.
Causes of heat-damaged hair
Regular use of hot tools may remove the luster and softness of your hair.
You may also notice increased split ends and excessive strands descending the drain.
These all may be symptoms of heat-damaged hair.
Heat-damaged hair may occur when you use a hair dryer, flat iron, or curl at higher temperatures.
Most hot hair tools reach a temperature of 400 ?, which can be misleading.
Heat damage can affect all hair types, from pin-straight to tightly curled.
Diagnosis
Pull a hair strand from your head after a shower so it’s wet to test if you have heat-damaged hair.
Cautiously pull the hair strand from both ends.
If the hair stretches approximately 1/3rd before returning to normal size, then your hair may be dry but not damaged.
If the hair strands stretch a little bit and break, then you are dealing with heat-damaged hair.
Levels of heat damage
There are three levels of hair damage due to heat.
The level one damage lifts the cuticle and creates a jagged appearance.
Level one hair is slightly less shiny and is thinner at the ends.
Level two hair consists of abrasions to the cuticles and the cortex below that gets exposed.
When the cortex is exposed, it is more vulnerable to getting other hair damage.
Level three has the most extreme damage; some parts of the cuticles may be missing.
The cortex gets unshielded, weak, rough, and coarse; hair gets dull, it may get tangles and knots easily, and hair breaks often.
Conclusion
If you’ve ever used heat styling tools on your hair, you may have experienced heat damage.
It can make your hair brittle, dry, and prone to breakage.
The good news is that it’s not a lost cause – there are things you can do to repair your damaged hair.
The basic steps you can take are to use protein treatments and deep conditioning treatments.
These can help repair the damaged hair strands and restore some of their strength and elasticity.
It’s also important to avoid heat styling as much as possible until your hair gets healed.
Also, adopting a healthy hair care routine can make a big difference in the health of your hair.
This includes regular moisturizing and nourishing treatments and being gentle with your hair when brushing and styling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to fix heat-damaged 4c hair?
The first step to fixing heat-damaged 4c hair is to avoid further heat styling and give your hair time to heal. Next, try using deep conditioning treatments to restore moisture and strength to your hair.
How to fix heat-damaged hair at home?
You can fix heat-damaged hair using protein treatments, deep conditioning, and avoiding heat styling. Adopting a healthy hair care routine includes moisturizing and trimming the damaged ends.
Does heat-damaged hair still grow?
Yes, heat-damaged hair can still grow, but it may be more prone to breakage and may take longer to grow due to the damage. You can promote healthy hair growth by trying a healthy hair care routine and taking steps to repair the damage.
Should I cut my hair if it’s damaged?
Trimming off the damaged ends may be necessary to prevent further breakage and promote healthy hair growth. However, the amount you need to cut will depend on the severity of the damage and your hair type.
Can coconut oil help with damaged hair?
Coconut oil can help with damaged hair by restoring moisture, preventing protein loss, and reducing breakage. Its nourishing properties make it popular for repairing and restoring damaged hair.
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