Do you like to heat style or blow dry your hair frequently? Then you must incorporate heat protection sprays in your routine. In fact, heat protectants are the most important products for healthy hair if heat styling is used. We all spend a lot of money on shampoos and conditioners but usually do not invest in heat protection sprays. In fact, if you search for heat protection sprays in India, very few options will show up on e-commerce websites. With the rise of at-home hair styling, you need to understand why a heat protectant is important for your hair. This article will tell you all about it.
Why do I need heat protection sprays?
It is obvious that the heat from styling tools damages the hair, but this damage can be minimized with the use of heat protection sprays. Exposure to heat tends to damage the keratin in our hair, which makes the hair weak and brittle. The heat also strips away the moisture in the hair strands and makes them dry. Heat protection sprays create a protective layer on the hair strands that reduces the damage caused by heat. They contains oils and/or silicones that create a physical barrier between the hair and the styling tool. In this manner, heat protection sprays protect our hair from the long-term damage caused by heat styling.
How to use heat protection sprays?
Heat protection sprays need to be sprayed on the hair right before you are about to heat style or blow dry your hair. These sprays also protect the hair from the heat generated by sunlight, so you can also use these before stepping out in the sun. They can be used on both damp and dry hair. Before blow drying your hair, you can spray the heat protectant on damp, towel-dried hair. If your hair is already dry then also you can spray the heat protectant before styling the hair. Make sure to spray an even amount of the product on all surfaces of your hair.
Can I use serums or oils for heat protection?
People often wonder whether they can use a hair oil or a hair serum as a heat protectant instead of a spray. The answer is – it depends. Not all hair serums claim to provide heat protection, and if they do, check the packaging to see if the brand has mentioned the temperature up to which the serum can protect the hair. If this temperature is more than that produced by your styling tool then you can go ahead and use the serum as a heat protectant.
Using oils for heat protection can be very tricky. With the wrong oil, you may end up frying your hair instead of protecting them. There is a simple science behind this. If the smoke point of the oil is less than the temperature produced by your styling tool then the oil will start smoking – you might hear a slight sizzle when this happens. Essentially, you will end up cooking your hair in the oil and it will turn crispy and brittle. If you do want to use an oil for heat protection then make sure that its smoke point is higher than the max temperature of your styling tool. Argan Oil, Avocado Oil and Grapeseed Oil are some oils that are commonly used for heat protection due to their high smoke point.
Serums or sprays? What to choose?
The best way to avoid the risk of frying your hair is to opt for a product that is formulated specifically for heat protection. While you may feel turned off by silicones in heat protection sprays, it is their heat resistance that makes them excellent heat protectants. Also, heat protection sprays usually have a very light-weight consistency compared to serums and oils. Hence, they can be used multiple times between two washes if you wish to style your hair daily. Serums or oils on the other hand can weigh your hair down if used regularly between two washes.
Which are the best heat protection sprays in India?
Like I mentioned at the start of this blog post, there are very few heat protection sprays available in India. Here I have listed down the top 5 options that are readily available in India. All of these have worked well for my hair. They are all light-weight, add some amount of moisture to the hair, and protect it well from the heat.
I hope that you found this article useful and have understood the need for heat protectants. The next time you style your hair at home, make sure to use a heat protection spray. Also, a number of salons in India skip this step, so ask your hair stylist to use a heat protectant on your hair too. This is one small step that will save your hair from hair from long-term damage, so make sure to incorporate it in your haircare regimen!