YOU ALL KNOW HOW MUCH I TALK about heat damage in my blogs, so I figured it was about time I wrote one specifically about it! We’re all guilty of styling our hair to make it look nice without considering the long-term damage we may be causing. But now we are so fortunate that we can maintain its excellent looks while avoiding the negative side effects.

To begin, I like to let my hair air dry naturally, therefore I recommend using a microfibre towel turban. This not only speeds up the drying process, but also smooths and seals the hair cuticles, allowing you to spend less time styling your hair. Of course, you can use the non-heat rollers to set your style in place as well, whether you want a loose tousled look or just a little lift.

Thankfully, hair styling appliances like dryers, hot brushes, and straighteners have included features to help us decrease the amount of heat we use. Because most dryers now have multiple heat settings, I always recommend using the low to mid heat setting rather than the highest – even if you’re in a hurry!

Yes, I understand the need to rush out the door as quickly as possible, thus a fast blast on the hottest setting is the quickest option. Yet a shot of cold air once you have finished styling your hair will not only smooth the hair cuticles so your hair lays much flatter and smoother, but it will also help to set your style so it lasts longer. No one wants a frazzled and frizzy look!

Blow-drying often causes surface damage, and using straighteners can cause internal damage to the hair fibre. When you consider that a blow dryer’s temperature is often around 50 degrees Celsius, and straighteners’ temperature is typically around 150 degrees Celsius, it’s easy to understand why! That’s not to suggest you should toss your
straighteners out the window! Just make sure you use them sparingly and use a good heat protection on your hair. Also, keep the blow dryer at least five inches away from your hair’s surface.

If I take a step back a moment and consider how much we wash our hair, it’s evident that the less we wash it, the less we have to dry it. Try to use heat protection, moisturising shampoo and conditioner followed by a cold rinse to seal your hair shafts.

I must obviously mention the Nosheen Hair Oil at this point! Use this as a 2-3 times weekly treatment and massage into the scalp for several minutes before smoothing over the length of the hair. For optimal results, I recommend leaving it on for at least one hour and up to overnight. The blend of ten natural and organic oils will help to seal in moisture
while also strengthening and nourishing your hair, making it stronger and more resistant to whatever heat we inflict on it.

So, what else can we do to keep heat damage to a minimum? As well as the self-inflicted causes of heat damage, we must remember to protect our hair in the Summer, don’t worry I’m not going to say you should stay indoors! However, wearing a hat, using UV protection products, and limiting your exposure during the day when the sun is at its strongest will all help your hair look better and be healthier. Although, like many of us, I’m sure I could use a good summer holiday right now! That old hairdresser question, “Are you going somewhere nice?” seems a long way away right now! However, getting a regular trim will ensure that any split ends caused by heat damage are removed.

We all know the benefits of getting enough sleep, but did you know you can also help your hair sleep better? A silk pillowcase, rather than a cotton one, will make a significant difference. Silk gives your hair a smooth surface that reduces friction while also maintaining moisture. This means your style will last longer and you’ll wake up with
smooth, silky hair instead of that bedhead! Meaningless maintenance and therefore less heat!

Make it a habit to protect your hair from all forms of heat from now on, and you’ll never have another bad hair day. Well, perhaps! But there will be fewer of them!

Thank you again for taking the time to read my latest blog; I hope you found it interesting and picked up some useful tips. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any problems or questions about your hair.

Nosheen x