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All of us like to style our hair and flaunt our new hairstyles. For styling your hair you may need hot-rollers, flat irons, curling irons and hair dryers. All these heating tools work on a common principle i.e providing heat to break down hydrogen bond (for straightening) or create a new hydrogen bond (curling) for your hair. Hairdryers are commonly used to blow dry your hair. So, heat is used to make changes in the hydrogen bonds in your hair. While styling, you are exposing your hair to a lot of heat and it is a well-known fact that excessive heat can damage your strands. This is where heat protectant comes into the picture.
Always apply a heat protectant to protect your hair from heat while styling. It is a good idea to use a homemade heat protectant rather than using a synthetic protectant. In this article, we will be sharing with you some simple DIY heat protectants which you can easily make at home using ingredients available in your kitchen cabinet. Say bye to chemical heat protectants and say hello to natural heat protectants. Let’s get started.
Natural Heat Protectants And Their Benefits
The main objective of a heat protectant is to reduce the amount of damage done to your strands from the use of styling tools. Heating tools strip the hair of its proteins and natural oils by breaking down the hydrogen bonds. Heat protectants safeguard your hair from heat by creating a barrier on the surface of the hair shaft, creating a layer of protection, thus reducing the effect of heat on your hair shaft.
Each hair type requires a different temperature to get the desired look. Natural oils like coconut oil, argan oil or avocado oil can be used as a natural heat protectant which forms a protective coating over the strands providing protection from the heat. However, hair experts say that you should use these oils with caution as each oil has a different smoking point. A smoking point is a temperature at which an oil burns. If you are using your styling tool at a very high temperature, then there are chances that you may exceed this smoking point and your oil will burn. Instead of protecting your hair, it can have an adverse effect on your hair. As the result, you may end up damaging your hair.
Silicones are mostly used in synthetic heat protectants which can damage your hair over a point in time. It is a better idea to replace your chemical heat protectant with natural ingredients, as they protect, hydrate and nourish your hair naturally. Moreover, depending upon your hair type you can choose the natural oil. If your hair is dry, you can choose a natural oil that moisturizes and conditions your hair. Similarly, for damaged hair, you can choose a natural oil that strengthens and nourishes your hair.
Also Read : How to Repair Damaged Hair - 8 Easy Ways
6 DIY Heat Protectants For Your Hair
DIY heat protectants are a more holistic way of dealing with your hair, without subjecting it to harmful chemicals. Below we will be sharing 6 coolest DIY Heat Protectants for your hair.
1. Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil has been a go-to oil for all your hair care issues. This is the best option for all types of hair and has got a low smoke point of 350 degrees. So when using a heating tool after applying Coconut Oil as a heat protectant remember to keep the temperature below 320 degrees.
Coconut oil forms a protective coating over the surface of the hair shaft and acts as a sealant, thus keeping your hair well hydrated. It helps repair the damaged strands as this lightweight oil easily penetrates into the hair shaft and repairs the damaged strands. Its conditioning property helps to keep your hair frizz-free, soft, silky and shiny.
How To Apply
- Take 1 teaspoon of Coconut Oil and to this add ¾ cup of water.
- Mix well and transfer the contents to a spray bottle.
- Apply this heat protectant spray on your damp hair starting from the mid-length towards the end.
Always remember that coconut oil can weigh down your hair if applied in excess. This heat protectant is beneficial for people with dry hair.
2. Argan Oil
Liquid gold, commonly known as Argan Oil is beneficial for your hair in many ways. Argan Oil which is ethically sourced from Morocco is considered to be the best Argan Oil.
It acts as an excellent moisturizing and conditioning agent. It repairs the damaged strands as it is rich in antioxidants, Vitamin E, essential fatty acids such as Omega-3, 6 and minerals. It has got a high smoke point.
Also Read : 7 Amazing Benefits Of Including Vitamin E Oil In Your Haircare Regime
How To Apply
- Take Argan Oil and water in the ratio of 1:4, where 1 part is Argan Oil and 4 parts are water.
- Mix well and transfer the contents to a spray bottle.
- Spray this mixture on your wet hair starting from the mid-length till the ends, avoiding the scalp and roots.
- Brush your hair so that the heat protectant gets evenly distributed.
Now your hair is ready to style.
ANVEYA MOROCCAN ARGAN OIL, COLD PRESSED ORGANIC, 100ML
- Great for CURLY HAIR & FRIZZY OR DRY HAIR.
- Regulates sebum and controls ACNE BREAKOUTS.
- Vitamin E & anti-oxidant rich – combats the SIGNS OF AGEING.
- Hydrates NAILS & LIPS
3. Almond Oil
Almond Oil is nourishing and moisturizing oil for your hair as it gets absorbed easily into the hair shaft. It has got a high smoke point of 430 degrees and being lightweight it won’t weigh down your hair.
Almond Oil is rich in Vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, D, E and minerals such as calcium, potassium and magnesium due to which it effectively nourishes, hydrates and conditions your hair. These essential nutrients work together to repair the damaged strands, adding strength and elasticity to your strands.
How To Apply
- Apply 3-5 drops of cold-pressed organic Almond Oil directly on your hair.
- After applying the Almond Oil on your damp hair, comb your hair for even distribution.
Now you can style your hair, keeping the temperature of your styling tool below 420 degrees.
ANVEYA SWEET ALMOND OIL, COLD PRESSED ORGANIC, 100ML
- Antioxidant properties fight WRINKLES & SAGGING SKIN
- One of the best oils for MASSAGE
- Rejuvenates dead cells, moisturizes CHAPPED LIPS
4. Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed Oil is beneficial for people with the dry scalp as it gives relief from dry scalp issues like dermatitis and dandruff. It has a high smoke point of 420, making it a good choice for people with thick and coarse hair.
It helps to restore the natural shine and vibrancy of your hair. It adds strength to your hair and at the same time keeps your hair well-nourished and moisturized.
How To Apply
- To use Grapeseed Oil as a heat protectant you can directly apply it to your hair.
- Take few drops of Grapeseed Oil in your palm and rub it well.
- Apply the oil on your hair, starting from the mid-length towards the tip.
Using a styling tool, you can style your hair, keeping the temperature below 420 degrees.
5. Avocado Oil
Avocado Oil is an extremely nourishing oil for your hair. It effectively nourishes, moisturizes and conditions your hair. It plays a vital role in protecting your strands from heat as well as from the UV rays of the sun. It has got a very high smoke point of 520 degrees, which makes Avocado Oil a great choice for people with textured hair.
It is rich in oleic acid and is lightweight, thus easily penetrates deep into the hair shaft. It nourishes, moisturizes, repairs and strengthens your strands, thus preventing hair breakage.
How To Apply
- Take 1 tablespoon of Avocado Oil and add 1 cup of water to it.
- Mix it well and transfer the contents to a spray bottle.
- Shake the bottle well before use and spray this mixture on your wet/damp hair.
Wait for a few minutes to let the Avocado Oil set inside your shaft, before applying any sort of styling tool.
6. Shea Butter
Shea butter is an excellent moisturizing agent for your hair. For using Shea butter you need to melt it before use. Shea butter is always in a semi-solid form and if you want to use it as a spray, you need to mix it with a carrier oil such as argan oil or olive oil to get the desired consistency. Else, you can use this natural heat protectant as hair cream. It has got a high smoke point.
It is ideal for people with dense and dry hair as Shea Butter is known to be an excellent hydrating agent. It repairs the hair follicles, strengthens your strands and promotes hair growth.
Also Read : A Complete Guide For Usage Of Shea Butter For Hair Care
How To Apply
- Take 2 tablespoons of Shea Butter and to this add 1 tablespoon of Avocado Oil.
- Mix well and apply this mixture starting from the mid-length of your strands.
- Take very little amount of the mixture, as shea butter can make your hair greasy.
Now using a styling tool, you can style your hair as usual.
Tips For Protecting Your Hair Against Heat
- Avoid heat styling your hair regularly. Using a styling tool 3-4 times a month is ideal.
- Always use a ceramic or titanium flat iron which has an adjustable temperature dial as they are considered to be a better option compared to the regular on-off switch types.
- Make sure that your ionic hairdryer is 1800 watts as it helps to dry your hair faster and reduces overheating of your styling tool.
- Keep moving the styling tool through your hair while styling so as to avoid overheating sections of your hair.
- Always keep your styling tool in good condition.
Remember that heat protectants do not entirely protect your hair from heat damage, it only reduces the amount of damage caused by styling tools.
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