We always see blogs punting the use of hair protectant spray when they talk about styling hair, but is it really necessary? Are hairstyling tools really that bad for your hair? How often do you need hair protectant spray, and how does it protect your hair? These are a few questions that you may be asking when it comes to hair protectants, right?
Well, we’re here to answer them. In this article, we’ll cover what heat protectant spray is, why you should use it and how.
What is a heat protectant?
When you use any hairstyling device, such as a hair dryer, straightener, or curler, that uses heat to manipulate your hair, you essentially damage your hair at the same time. When your hair is exposed to heat above 148°C, it directly affects the shape of your keratin strands, components of your hair that maintain its strength and elasticity. As a result, your hair becomes more brittle and loses its elasticity, leading it to break more easily.
This is where heat protectant sprays come in. These sprays are specifically designed to coat your hair with a protective layer so that when heat is applied, the damage to your hair is reduced, ensuring your hair retains its health.
Benefits of using hair protectant spray
Hair protectant sprays do more than simply protect your hair from different styling devices. It also has a few other benefits to it, like:
Moisture Retention
As we mentioned earlier, heat causes your hair to lose its elasticity and become brittle. A large part of this is because it draws out moisture. But, when you use a heat protection spray, you lock in your hair’s moisture, which keeps your hair soft and healthy.
Reduced Frizz
Frizz is an enemy we’ve all faced at some time or another. Heat protectant sprays often contain ingredients that smooth the hair cuticle, reducing frizz and flyaways. Ensuring that you keep that smooth, polished finish that you’re going for.
Enhanced Shine
Often, hair protectant sprays have additional ingredients to improve your hair appearance. For example, many protectant sprays add a glossy finish to your hair, making it look healthier and more vibrant. This is particularly helpful after using heat to dry or style your hair, which can sometimes leave hair looking dull.
Makes hair easier to manage
When hair becomes brittle and weak, it can be difficult to manage and style. By adding the necessary protection to maintain your hair’s health, you ensure that your hair is always easy to manage.
Prevent hair colour from fading
Over time, your hair’s colour might fade from damage and exposure to the sun. Hear protectant spray coats your hair with a protective layer all the way down to the roots. This ensures that your hair colour is maintained.
It strengthens your hair
Finally, it strengthens your hair. Most hair protectant sprays contain additional ingredients that promote and enhance hair health. For instance, they may contain proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
How to protect your hair from heat
So, we know why we need to use hair protectant sprays; now, we need to look at the how. Many hair protectant sprays might have different instructions for use; we’d suggest following the manufacturer’s instructions to get the best results with their product, but in the meantime, here are the basics of using heat protectant sprays:
- For some heat protection sprays, you’ll need to dry your hair before use, while with others, you can apply them while your hair is wet. Before using the spray, you also want to decide what protectant spray you want to use. For instance, some are designed for smooth hair, while others are for curly hair. You get sprays with ingredients to treat split ends or to add volume to your hair. Check out the range of GHD heat protectant spray here to see your options
- Now that your hair is prepared and you have the appropriate spray, section it off so that you don’t miss any of it. Remember, you want to get to the bottom layers of hair, too, not just the surface
- Spray from about an arm’s length away and from the top down on each section. If you’re using a protectant spray specifically for dry hair, then you can spray up and down as you please
Other Ways To Prevent Heat Damage
Heat protectant sprays are generally the best solution to protecting your hair against heat damage, but there are some other ways that you can limit the damage to your hair too, for instance:
Let your hair air dry a little
Trying to dry your hair with a hair dryer when it’s sopping wet is going to take ages. Not to mention, it’ll also expose your hair to high heat for an extended period, increasing the risk of damaging it. However, if you let your hair air-dry for a little before using the hair dryer, this will significantly reduce the damage that may occur.
Use heat tools less
Try limiting how often you have to use your hair dryer or other heat-conducting tools. This should help you maintain your hair’s health and avoid damaging it.
Use a lower heat
A pretty easy solution to preventing heat damage is simply turning down the heat when drying your hair. Yes, this may take longer, but it’ll also reduce the damage done to your hair.
Don’t focus on one section of hair too much
While repetition might be needed to get an area of your hair fully dry or to the shape you want it, this is also a prime time for heat damage to occur. For that reason, we’d suggest not focusing on one section of your hair for too long. Rather, gradually move through your hair and come back to that section later.
Final Thoughts
Using heat protectant spray on your hair while you’re drying or stylish is by far the best way to protect it. Remember, heat protectant sprays don’t only protect your hair, but they also have vital nutrients in them that’ll enhance the health of your hair, too.
