What do split-ends, knots and accelerated breakage have in common? More often than not, they are caused by the unchecked use of heated styling tools. While our hair is subject to a generous amount of wear and tear in everyday life, the application of styling devices at high temperatures can further weaken the hair shaft and make it more susceptible to breakage. If you are looking to protect your hair from heat damage, here are the changes that celebrated hairstylist Aanchal Morwani suggests you make in your haircare routine.
How to identify heat-damaged hair
“The easiest way to identify heat-damaged hair is to inspect the split ends as they start to look almost white. If you find a halo of rays from the root to the tip, it indicates that your hair is fried because of excessive ironing. You might also notice hair breakage midway through the hair shaft as the hair tends to snap—even at this point, it would appear white,” she says.
Another way of detecting styling damage is to squeeze the hair when it is wet, “If it begins to take the shape of your hand, this is another indicator of damaged hair. This means that the hair has lost vital proteins and its elasticity—the ability to stretch and return to normal—to the extent that it has started taking the shape of your hands when squeezed. If your hair is extremely porous, that is another sign of heat-damaged hair,” she explains.
How to protect hair from heat damage
- The work towards recovering fried strands starts by stopping the usage of heated styling tools. If you absolutely have to use one, ensure that the temperature setting is between 150-180 degrees, but not exceeding that.
- Heat protectant is your only true friend on the road to recovery. When shopping for haircare products, look for creams that can be applied on wet hair or sprays that can be used directly on dry hair.
- Getting a layered cut and knocking off some length will ensure that the ends of the hair—especially the last two inches of your hair—is cut off as damaged hair tends to get tangled and knotted.
- Apart from going cold turkey on heated styling tools, you will also want to switch to hairstyles that do not require excessive heat. Scrunching is a great way to add definition to your waves with negligible heat which will avoid further damage to your hair. Sleek ponytails and claw clips will also be your friend in this journey.
For those in the quest of DIY solutions, Morwani has some haircare advice to offer. “If you are looking to take matters into your hands, it helps to invest in a heat cap. After shampooing your hair and applying conditioner or a hair mask, put the heat cap on and sit with it for 10-12 minutes. When you rinse your hair, you will find that the mask penetrates deeper because of the heat, leaving your hair feeling soft and nourished,” she advises.
Some precautions can be added to your nightly ritual as well to protect your hair from heat damage. The Mumbai-based hairstylist adds, “Before sleeping, use a generous amount of serum, around 6-7 pumps, which should be applied from your mid-lengths to the ends. Loosely braid your hair with your fingers and go to sleep. When you wake up in the morning, you will find that your hair has absorbed all the serum, making it look shiny and healthy.”
At the end of the day, Morwani understands the itch to style your hair frequently but advises some caution to be adopted alongside. “It helps to get regular haircuts if you love styling your hair frequently and want to protect your hair from heat damage. This ensures that the oldest part of your hair at the bottom is regularly cut off, thereby preventing split-ends and knots,” she signs off.
About Aanchal Morwani:
As a child who loved doing creative hairstyles for her friends and family, Aanchal had little idea that she would go on to find her calling as a celebrity hairstylist with a clientele that includes Kareena Kapoor Khan, Disha Patani and Khushi Kapoor, among others.
