8 tips to prevent heat-damaged hair

Heat styling can help us look and feel our best. But one of the side effects of beautiful heat-styled hair is heat damage. Discover the signs to look out for in your hair. Then, follow our eight tips for speedy damage repair and find out how to prevent heat damage in the future. From which products quench thirsty hair to tips for using your tools more safely, you’ll find it all here.

How does heat damage your hair?
Heat styling helps us get gorgeous hair. Whether you go for straight, curly, or a bouncy blow-dry, your hairstyle has the power to make your day.

But, too much heat styling can leave hair thirsty and delicate. When your hair is wet, the water causes it to swell up. Heat tools make your hair dry quickly and shrink back to normal size. It’s the speed of this shrinking which cracks the protective layer of your hair. Meanwhile, steam escaping causes the hair fiber to bubble, making it weak and breakable.

Luckily, there are lots of ways to protect your hair from heat damage. But first, let’s look at how to spot heat damage in your hair.

Video of Dove Partner, Kelly U, sharing her damaged hair journey including her favorite hair care tips.

What does heat-damaged hair look like?
You’ll know you’ve got heat damage when you see split ends, faded color, tangles, and frizz. You may spot more shedding than normal or notice that your hair looks dull and thin. Those of us with curly hair? It might lose its natural coil. Though we can’t 100% repair heat-damaged hair, don’t despair. The good news is you can get your gorgeous tresses back on track and encourage super strong new growth to prevent heat-damaged hair in the future.

Heat-damaged hair treatments to protect your hair
We’ve gathered the eight best nourishing tips and treatments for heat-damaged hair right here. Your hair will thank you later.

1. Daily Care
Dove Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner are ideal daily heat-damaged hair products as they are gentle and provide all the nourishment your hair needs to grow strong.

Dove Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner

2. Deep condition
Dove Celebrity Stylist Mark Townsend says, "Deep condition as much as you can. Conditioning is such an important part of maintaining healthy hair. The Dove Intensive Repair Conditioner can act as a deep conditioning mask if you leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. "When getting your hair dyed, relaxed, or permed, restore your locks with Dove Intensive Repair Conditioner.

3. Try a home remedy
Kick off your damage repair journey with a bit of at-home self-care. For a protein-rich at-home remedy, combine equal parts yogurt and honey and apply to hair. It’s known to restore your hair’s natural bonds and glossy look. Rinse using shampoo to remove any residue.

4. Skip the towel
Traditional towel drying causes lots of friction which can damage your hair cuticle. For shiny, frizz-free locks, treat your hair to a microfiber towel or cotton t-shirt and pat dry gently. For those of us with curly hair, we can scrunch it towards the scalp to encourage our curls to form.

5. Brush gently
Use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to tease out your knots for less pain, more gain. Your hair is extra delicate when wet so take care. Start at the bottom and work your way up using gentle strokes. It’s a myth that brushing your hair a lot makes it healthier. Once the knots are out, you’re done.

6. Go heat free
We know how hard it is to go cold turkey on heat styling, but why not make it fun? At the weekend, play around with no-heat hairstyles like loose plaits, a low ponytail, or your natural texture. Choose a snag-free accessory to avoid snapping your strands on metal parts.

7. Protect from the outside
Always use damage protection like Dove Heat Protection Spray when heat styling. It seals in moisture and creates a barrier between the heat and your hair without sacrificing on style. Avoid using products with oil in before you heat style, as this will cause your hair to 'cook'.

8. Lower the temperature
If your hair is damaged, stick to a lower heat setting on your styling tools to give your tresses a rest. Hold your dryer further away from your hair and make sure you use the attachments that came with your appliance. Studies show this is as good for your hair as air drying. Guilt-free blow-drying? We like the sound of that.