The Burning Truth About Heat Damaged Hair
Constantly using an electrical hair straightener, curler, or blow dryer may help you achieve a desirable look but it may severely damage your hair. It can make them look dull and lifeless.
If your hair also appears to be the same, then don’t worry as there are several treatment options that may again make your hair look healthy.
You can repair the heat damage in some easy ways like limiting the use of heat stylers, using the correct hair products, controlling equipment’s temperature, etc.
In this article, we will discuss heat damaged hair in detail and some valuable tips and tricks that may come in handy to regain your hair health.
Source of heat damage to hair
The familiar sources of heat applied to hair are styling products such as:
- Flat irons
- Curling irons
- Blow dryers
- Crimpers
A study was conducted in which the influence of increasing temperature from 20 to 200°C on hair was studied.
It was reported that 140 °C was the critical temperature at which modifications were seen in the hair due to the heat.
How heat damages hair
Heat can damage hair severely.
According to Phys.org, one of the most updated science websites, heat-styling products such as curling wands and flat irons could damage the Keratin proteins that make up about 85% of our hair.
It damages the protein by altering its shape and converting them from ?-Keratin to ?-Keratin.
All this happens in the cortex layer of the hair, where the Keratin proteins and structural lipids are present.
It then breaks down the cuticle layer of the hair shaft, and as the cuticle contains moisture content, the heat dries out the moisture.
This leads to a structural change at a molecular level. It results in weaker hair with less elasticity and more prone to damage.
Levels of heat damage
There are certain levels of heat damage to the hair.
It depends on the severity of the damage that has been caused due to the continuous use of heat-styling products.
Level 1
The hair’s cuticles are ragged, some raised or broken, but the inner cortex has not yet been wholly exposed to heat damage.
The ends are thinner, the color is duller, and the hair is slightly drier.
Level 2
This level involves cuticle abrasion, which implies that the outer layer has been scraped off. Thus, the inner cortex of some hair fibers may now be exposed to damage as they are without protection.
At this stage of hair deterioration, there are fewer cuticle layers, many scales are ragged and lifted, and there may even be an exposed cortex.
The texture of the hair will be coarse, seem lifeless, have an uneven color balance, and develop split ends.
Level 3
This is the most severe level of hair damage as the cuticle is significantly damaged and has withered away.
The cortex can also be weakened as it is exposed.
In this stage, the hair has a highly coarse, deconstructed surface texture, no shine, faded color, and split ends.
Signs of heat damaged hair
A study was conducted to find out hair shaft damage from heat and drying time of hair dryers, in which the following results were seen:
- Hair surface damage: Multiple longitudinal cracks, lifting, holes, and hazy cuticle borders were reported in groups of people whose hair was treated with heat
- Damage to hair cuticle: Punched-out cuticles were seen in the group whose hair was treated at 95?
- Change in moisture content: A lower moisture content was reported in the groups of people exposed to heat damage due to the hair dryer compared to the untreated group, with 4.6% of moisture content
- Change in hair color: The hair color started to get lighter after just ten treatments
Can heat damage be reversed?
Whether heat-damaged hair can be reversed or not is a bit tricky to answer.
It depends on the severity of damage that your hair has suffered due to heat.
If you don’t use heat-styling products daily and have limited their use to only when needed, it won’t cause much harm.
American Academy of Dermatology also suggests limiting the use of flat irons, curling irons, etc., for better hair health.
However, if the damage is severe, it is hard for the hair to return to its original healthy state.
The reason is that the once the protein bonds are broken and the hair cuticles are cracked due to heat exposure, the inner cortex is exposed to all types of damage.
As a result of the exposed cortex, the hair loses elasticity and gets weaker.
How to treat heat-damaged hair
You can care for your heat-damaged hair and protect it from further damage in several ways. It includes:
Limit the use
The best way to protect your already heat-damaged hair is to limit the number of times you use heat-styling products.
No matter how much you care for your hair, using heat styling products daily will only result in dry, brittle, and weak hair prone to breakage.
You may use electrical hair stylers occasionally, only when necessary.
Cut your hair
Getting a haircut can be beneficial for your hair as by chopping off the damaged hair with split ends or weak properties, you pave the way for new and healthy hair growth.
Not cutting the hair with spit ends can advance up the hair shaft and cause breakage closer to the scalp.
If the heat damage is more significant, you may need to cut off a few inches of hair.
Use Sulfate-free products
Shampoo or any other hair product containing Sulfate can make your curly hair drier.
Sulfates in shampoos help in removing dirt and oil from hair. But, some of its natural moisture and oils must be retained for the hair to be healthy.
Sulfates may remove too much moisture from the hair, leaving it dry and unhealthily damaged.
Control the temperature
Many hair tools in the market now come with a temperature setting, meaning you can control the heat applied to your hair.
It is best to use hair styling products at a low temperature, and if the temperature is high, limit the time the equipment touches your hair.
Use heat protection
Heat protectants are a barrier between your hair and a hot instrument to prevent burning, drying out, and dulling.
Typically, it is applied as a leave-in product to your hair before you begin styling it.
They are available in various forms, such as creams and sprays, and can be applied to dry or wet hair.
Takeaway
Heat can damage your hair severely, mainly if you use an electric hair straightener, curler, blow dryer, etc., daily.
It can damage the Keratin in your hair and change its structure.
The hair, due to heat, becomes dry, brittle, and weak, making it prone to breakage.
The hair color may also lighten after the heat treatment.
If you use heat styling products daily, the damage caused to your hair is hard to reverse.
However, if you have used it occasionally, you can try some tips and tricks to care for your damaged hair and even protect it from further damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know if your hair is heat damaged?
You may notice several signs if you have heat-damaged hair, like your hair has become dry, dull, lifeless, and brittle. You may also see split ends in your hair. You have become prone to breakage, and you can see them shedding randomly.
Can you repair heat-damaged hair?
Repairing heat-damaged hair can be difficult, especially if you have styled your hair using heat daily. Heat damages the hair cuticles by breaking the protein bonds. This breakage opens the cortex to all hair damage, which may be hard to take care of. However, if you have used heat products minimally, you may use some repair techniques.
What causes heat-damaged hair?
When heat is applied to your hair, it damages the Keratin protein, which is essential for our health. Heat damages the protein by altering its shape and converting them from ?-Keratin to ?-Keratin.
How to fix heat-damaged hair at home?
When you heat style your hair at home, remember to control the temperature of the product and use it as less as you can. Also, keep the equipment from sitting on your hair for a while. You may also apply moisturizing hair products and oil your hair at home.
Does heat damage hair?
Yes, whenever heat is applied to your hair, it will cause some degree of damage to the hair. Frequently using heat styling equipment increases hair’s risk of breakage because it loses its elasticity. It gives your hair a dull and lifeless appearance.
