For those who use a blow dryer, blow out brushes or a straightening iron on a regular basis, excessive heat styling can damage your hair.

By using a heat protectant spray, you create a barrier on the outer cuticle of your hair to help reduce the amount of water that your styling tools will leach from the hair shaft. Using a protector along with regular hair treatments and masks will keep your hair as hydrated as possible.

What is heat protectant spray?

It's a lightweight spray to add to your styling routine to protect hair from heat. The spray creates a barrier between your hair and your hot tools that protects hair by sealing in moisture that helps prevent breakage. It will also smooth the hair cuticles to reduce frizz and protect your colour, whether it's a henna hair dye or a chemical based colour.

How does a natural heat protectant spray work?

The inner cortex of your hair shaft is made up of water and keratin (the protein that makes up your hair). Using heat styling tools can dry out the water in your inner cortex. A natural heat protectant spray works by coating the hair shaft with ingredients that have a high smoke point so the moisture is locked inside and the spray creates a protective barrier that will hold until that smoke point is reached, so keep the heat down as low as you can to get the style you need.

Heat protectants have similar properties to leave in conditioners, so when you use the spray to protect your hair, you're giving it a mini treatment at the same time, not only protecting from hair damage but also saving your colour.

Why do I need a heat protection spray?

A flat iron can get up to 210 °C depending on what type of hair you're using it on. On thick hair and curly hair, the temperature needs to be higher to get your hair straight over fine hair or thin hair which will use less heat to lock in a style. Flat irons or a curling iron are far more damaging than blow drying and will cause more heat damage on either damp or dry hair. You also want to protect your colour treated hair if you dye it.

Do you use heat protectant spray on dry or damp hair?

You can use heat protectant sprays on either dry or damp hair. Most people use heat styling tools on damp hair, but that's not always the case. Different hair types will respond differently to different sprays, so be sure to read product descriptions and test the amount you use on your own hair to get the balance right. Your hair texture makes a difference. The thicker and curlier your hair, the hotter your tools will need to be and the more protection you will need to shield hair from heat styling.

Can I use pure oils as heat protectant products?

Yes. There are several pure oils that can be used as an alternative to a heat protectant spray. Argan oil contains omega 3 and 6 as well as vitamin E and is a great option to use before flat iron to straighten hair, because you don't need to worry about the oil being too heavy and reducing volume. It will also add shine and reduce frizz. Grapeseed oil is an excellent alternative for people with thicker and curly hair. Be careful choosing 'any oil' as those with a low smoke point may actually cook your hair instead of protecting it.