Do you straighten your hair frequently? Then you must know how important heat protectants are for safeguarding hair against heat.
It protects your hair from splits and other heat-styling-related damages. But how long does this protection last after it is applied on hair?
The answer requires some additional information for your hair’s safety and we have covered them all in this article.
What Is Heat Protectant and How Does It Work?
Heat protectant is a product that protects your hair from heat damage by creating a barrier between your hair and the hot tool. The barrier locks moisture into your strands while fending off frizz.
It typically comes as a leave-in product but can also be found as a serum, cream, gel, or spray. The most common ingredients used in heat protectants include humectants, amino acids, herbal extracts, and essential oils.
The humectants preserve the moisture in your hair and prevent frizz, while the amino acids work to nourish and strengthen your hair. The herbal extracts and essential oils seal your hair cuticles and leave it feeling soft and smooth.
How Long Does Heat Protectant Keep Working?
Heat protectant generally lasts around 4 hours after applying on hair. Once you apply the heat protectant to your hair and use hot tools, it begins to dissolve.
To get the best results, you should use the hot tools immediately after using a heat protectant on your hair. Always read the specific product manufacturer’s guidelines to avoid disasters.
Important: If you apply high heat even before the 4-hour time frame after applying the heat protectant, the protectant will dissolve and stop working. So, don’t use heat tools multiple times within these 4-hours.
For example, if you apply a heat protectant to your hair at 7 am, you’re good to style your hair with heat once until 11 am of the morning. If you have already applied heat on your hair you have to apply heat protectant again.
How To Use Heat Protectant
Luckily, applying a heat protectant to your hair is a simple process. It is available as a spray, serum, gel, or cream.
You can apply it on damp hair if you’re going to blow-dry or on dry hair if you’re using hot tools.
Here are the steps to follow for applying heat protectant on your hair:
1. Detangle your hair with your fingers or gently with a comb or brush.
2. Divide your hair into small sections.
3. Work section by section and spray or apply the product to your hair, ensuring each strand is covered with the product. Avoid applying the product to your scalp.
4. Run a comb through your hair to ensure the heat protectant is evenly dispersed.
5. Wait for the heat protectant to dry on your hair before applying heat from styling tools like flat irons or curling irons.
Key Takeaways:
- Heat protectants last up to 4 hours after application.
- Using a heat protectant immediately after spraying provides the best protection.
- Applying high heat before the 4-hour timeframe ends will cause the protectant to stop working.
- Heat protectants create a protective film on hair cuticles, which dissolves upon heat application.