HEAT PROTECTANTS FOR HAIR

It's a spray, cream, oil or serum that you apply before using a hairdryer, straighteners or curling tongs. It forms a thin film over the hair fibre that spreads out the heat and slows down the loss of water from the keratin, so hair dries out and breaks less.

Yes, if you use heated styling tools. Straighteners work at between 180 and 230°C, and at these temperatures the cuticle opens up and colour fades much faster. With a heat protectant, the damage from each pass is reduced in a measurable way, especially on coloured, bleached or fine hair.

Spray is the lightest option and works well for fine or normal hair and everyday blow-drying. A cream or smoothing fluid tames thick, frizzy hair before straightening. Oil or serum nourishes dry hair and damaged ends, applied as a few drops through the lengths. For curly hair, there are pre-styling creams that define curls and protect them from the diffuser.

Most professional products state protection up to 230°C, which is the maximum temperature reached by salon straighteners. Some serums state 220°C. This figure is printed on the packaging and in the product description.

On damp, towel-dried hair, before blow-drying. Before straightening, on already dry hair, you can go over it again with a small amount just where needed. It should always be spread through with a comb, avoiding the roots if your hair is fine.

Yes. Professional products are formulated for everyday blow-drying and won't leave a heavy residue if used in the right amount. Anyone styling their hair daily might prefer a spray, as it builds up less than oils and creams.

This is exactly the hair type that needs it most: heat speeds up colour fading, and bleaching leaves the hair fibre more fragile. Many professional heat protectants, such as those from Kérastase, L'Oréal Professionnel, Wella and Olaplex, are designed for treated hair and combine protection with nourishment.

A nourishing oil hydrates and adds shine, but not every oil is formulated to withstand heat. A heat-protecting oil contains film-forming agents tested at high temperatures, and states the protection temperature on the packaging. If the product description doesn't mention heat protection, it isn't a heat protectant.

Yes, they work well together. Bond-repairing treatments work on the hair's internal bonds, while a heat protectant shields the surface during styling. Olaplex also has products that do both, such as the Bond Protector N.9 and the Bonding Oil N.7.

For curly hair, a pre-styling cream or fluid with heat protection is best, as it defines curls and protects them from the diffuser's heat without weighing them down. For wavy hair, a light spray is enough.