How to Repair & Protect Dry and Damaged Hair

From blow dryers and flat irons to curling irons, these tools are amazing for creating gorgeous hairstyles. They are also known for causing a good amount of heat damage. A vast majority of us can’t live without styling our hair. If you’re like me, no matter how hard you try, you just can’t stay away from using heat tools. The sun can also play a role in wreaking havoc on our hair. Just like it’s important to protect our skin, it’s equally beneficial to protect our hair from damaging UV rays. It’s impossible to avoid all heat damage but with nourishing products, conditioning the hair properly and taking care of pesky split ends, you can help to preserve the hair integrity longer.

If you aren’t protecting your hair from heat damage, then you could be drying it out or causing your hair color to fade. Coating the hair with thermal and UV protecting formulations will not only benefit the hair but also help to mitigate the damaging effects of heat styling and sun exposure.

While it’s impossible to keep your hair completely free of heat damage, there are extra precautions we can take to lessen some adverse effects. Below I’m listing my top 5 tips to keep your hair healthy, smooth and protected from heat damage as well as retaining hair color.

Use a Heat Protectant

Think of using a heat protectant on your hair, just like using sunscreen before heading out the door. These products are beneficial to keep your hair healthy and protected as well as lock in hair color. Whether it’s a mist or leave in primer, these formulations work to seal in moisture and defend against humidity. With repeated use your split ends should be visibly reduced, and hair should appear smooth from root to ends. Be sure to choose a product that includes UV protection. I’ve included some suggestions below.

Alterna Caviar CC Cream

Caviar CC Cream – or “Complete Correction” Cream – is a miracle leave-in product that delivers 10 benefits in one easy step, leaving hair perfectly polished. This 10-in-1 formula can be used alone or as a foundation for the layering of other styling products.

Turn Down the Heat

I know it’s tempting to turn up the heat dial on your styling tool, especially when you’re in a rush, however using a heat protectant can make things a bit easier. One of the many benefits of using a multifunctional heat protectant, is that a hairstyle can usually be achieved with less time and less heat. It’s always better to use the lowest temperature possible when styling your strands. This can vary from person to person but a good rule to follow is to keep the temperature of your styling tool around 200° Fahrenheit for thin or fine hair and between 200° – 300° for thick hair.

If you’re finding it troublesome for your hair to form a curl with lower heat temperature, you might consider using a curl enhancer. I’m including some of my favorites to help achieve those big bouncy curls without the high heat. You can also incorporate shampoos that replenish moisture lost in styling or general hair dryness.

Philip B. Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo

A reconstructing shampoo that rejuvenates and revitalizes all hair types. Gives even chemically-damaged strands a dramatically youthful look, feel and radiance from the first use. The power-packed formula truly heals on all fronts.

Evo Liquid Rollers Curl Balm

Stay in control of your curls and waves with Evo Liquid Rollers Curl Balm (200ml). Thick and luxurious, the lotion works to shape and hold your curls, whilst targeting frizz to keep them looking bouncy and lustrous.

Virtue Moisture-Defining Whip

A weightless, moisture-enhancing mousse that delivers a touchable definition for textured hair while nourishing and adding shine. Rich and creamy, this luxurious mousse absorbs instantly into the hair for a smooth, nourishing feel. Color-safe, paraben-free, gluten-free.

Your Flat Iron Is Not A Comb

While it may seem like you are reinforcing the style, avoid passing your flat iron over the same section of hair repeatedly. One pass should be enough. If you’re finding it difficult to achieve style you want, try adding a leave in OR smoothing conditioner. This helps to smooth out rough hair cuticles and reduces the amount of friction between strands.

Virtue Labs Smooth Conditioner

Eliminates frizz with every wash. Formulated with our first-of-its-kind Alpha Keratin 60ku® protein, this conditioner acts as a powerful in-shower daily smoothing treatment for hair.

Evo Mane Tamer Smoothing Conditioner

A smoothing conditioner to smooth, strengthen and soften while greatly improving shine and manageability.

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Priming Leave-In Conditioner

A lightweight leave-in conditioner that detangles & primes fine, dry hair, while improving manageability without added weight. Sets foundation and creates a barrier to keep humidity at arm’s length for long-lasting styles.

Replenish Your Hair with a Weekly Mask

It’s always a good idea to revitalize your hair at least once a week with a nourishing mask or treatment. Choose products with ingredients to hydrate, repair and help restore essential nutrients back into the hair. For oiler hair types, I recommend starting with a mask once a week. Your hair should acclimate over time and you may be able to increase the frequency of applications. This is especially beneficial during the summer months when we tend to get the most damage. I’ve listed some suggestions for some of our most popular masks.

Grow Gorgeous Repair Strengthening Hair & Scalp Mask

Ideal for with dry, brittle hair as a result of heat damage or over-processing, the mask boasts a bio-active blend of five ferments, rich in essential minerals of Zinc, Iron, Copper & Magnesium to restore essential nutrients to the hair and scalp.

Alterna Caviar Replenishing Moisture Treatment Hair Masque

Enriched with the brand’s signature Caviar Extract and Sea Silk, the hair mask delivers intense moisture to each strand, helping to smooth the cuticle and rebuild damaged fibers from the inside out. Powered by an Age-Control Complex™ to protect against environmental stressors and encourage microcirculation, the weightless serum helps create a hydrated and healthy head of hair.

Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Rare Prickly Pear Seed Oil

Especially beneficial for damaged hair, this super moisturizing intensive treatment adds silkiness, suppleness, elasticity, bounce and strength. The clever ingredient combination continues to provide UV protection even after washing – helping prolong the life of color treatments.

Try Some Heatless Hairstyles

If you’re overdoing it with the heat tools, it may be a good idea to give your hair a little break. With hair tutorials at our fingertips, it’s easy to try out some heatless styles. Try incorporating a heatless hair style into your routine 2-3 days a week. It’s easy to maintain a professional look with a low sleek ponytail or take advantage of wearing a colorful scarf or headband to keep your style in place.

Messy buns are here to stay and there are plenty of tutorials to help you achieve this versatile style. Alternatively take advantage your hair’s natural waves for an easy-going summer beachy look. By using some of the products I’ve suggested above, you will be able to maintain your hair style and beauty even on the days when you don’t use heat styling tools.