How heat styling affects the hair
That heat styling isn't good for your hair, is hardly news for anyone. But how does it actually affect the hair? And is all heat bad?
At exactly what temperature and how many times is necessary to completely "ruin" your hair, depends on your hair quality and what it's already been through. For example dyed or bleached hair will be more sensitive.
What happens to the hair when it's exposed to high heat?
One of the things that will happen, is that the proteins in your hair, will be weakened and eventually break down.
The moisture that's supposed to be in your hair will boil and evaporate. This will cause microscopic bubbles/holes in your hair. And of course make it dryer.
Together with the damaged/broken down protein, it will eventually lead to split/damaged ends, a damaged cuticle, where the scales at first stay open and eventually fall off. This leaves the core of the hair exposed and vulnerable. And the hair looses it's natural ability, to hold moisture and nutrients, on its own.
Strong heat can also permanently affect both ones natural or dyed hair colour and structure. It's common for the hair to get dry, strawlike and tangled.
In order to regain ones natural hair quality, one has to let it grow back from the scalp.
Does all heat damage the hair?
All heat tools can potentially damage the hair. The higher temperature, the more damage it can cause. The same with regular exposure.
If you hold a flat or curling iron in your hair too long, you can burn of an entire strand.
For hair dryers, a cold or low heat setting isn't damaging to the hair. And if you're using a higher temperature, you want to keep the dryer farther away from your hair, to make it "safe".
According to studies, 60 C or cooler shouldn't damage your hair and can even be better than air drying, if your hair takes a long time to dry.
As a general rule. Keep a temperature and distance that doesn't feel uncomfortable for your skin. Then it's safe for your hair. You want to use a hairdryer and not a hairfryer!
What can you do if your hair is heat damaged, or you don't want to give up the heat styling?
You cannot repair damaged hair. Only cut it away.
If you don't want to cut away your hair or just continue with heat styling. Make sure to take good care of your hair with lots of moisture, potentially some fat and protein. But not immediately before putting an iron in your hair. You always want it to be dry when heat styling.
Silicones can help to retain moisture and nutrients in the hair and potentially glue splits together for a short time. Some people also gets more slip and shine from them. But make sure to properly clean them away with sulfates to prevent build up!
A silicone based heat protector can not prevent damage, but it can help to retain some moisture in your hair and lessen the damage in the long run.
So what does Tatsu do?
As you've probably guessed. I don't own a flat or curling iron. I do however own a hair dryer, that I use a few times a year, on a cold setting, when I don't want to wait six hours for my hair to dry. Sometimes I just sit infront of a fan or take a windy walk if the weather allows.
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