7 Ways to Prevent and Treat Heat Damage on Natural Hair
hair + beauty
October 10, 2019
Ashley
Heat damage occurs when excess heat is used on hair and results in stretched, straightened, and elastic-less hair. Curly hair is extremely fragile and when heat and styling tool are added to it, there is a good chance of heat damage occurring. Here are 7 steps to prevent and treat heat damaged natural hair.
1. Use a heat protectant
Using a heat protectant can very well help eliminate the damage done to hair while heat tools are used. Heat protectants however do not 100 percent block the chances of damage occurring. Be smart when using heat, and try to use the minimal amount of heat needed.
2. Use less heat
Try to use the absolute minimal amount of heat needed to get your hair to the desired style. Air dry your hair instead of blowdrying, or sit under the dryer. Another great way to use less heat is by doing a roller set then only flat ironing the roots of your hair, then wrapping it.
3. Straighten less often
The more frequently you straighten your hair, the more likely you are to cause heat damage. Try not to straighten more than once a month if you absolutely feel the need to straighten your hair, and get creative with natural styles instead. There are plenty of natural hairstyles that require absolutely no heat. Look up braid outs, bantu knots, and up-do’s when you are itching for a change.
4. Repair the hair
If you already have heat damage don’t fret! You can restore your hair. Deep conditioning treatments are key. Each time you wash deep condition your hair with tgin’s Honey Miracle Hair Mask which is full of humectants and will draw much needed moisture back to curls.
5. Protein Treatments
Protein treatments can help to restore the elasticity of hair over time and repair damaged curls. Protein treatments should not be done more than twice a month as too much protein can be over kill for hair. Try our DIY honey protein treatment for amazing results.
6. Protective Styling
If your hair is heat damaged protective styles will be your best friend. You can camouflage your damaged hair by doing up-do’s and braid outs.
7.. Trim Your Hair
Unfortunately, sometimes even after you have deep conditioned and done protein treatments for months a trim is necessary to get rid of damaged ends. If you’ve been trying all of the above methods and your curls simply will not revert, it’s time to trim or cut those damaged ends.
Ashley Renee is a licensed esthetician, Mac makeup artist, natural hair enthusiast, writer and poet from Chicago,residing in Los Angeles! Follow her on instagram @ashleyreneepoet