You may be asking yourself: How do I protect my hair from heat damage? There are many ways to do so. Some ways include using Shea butter, Cocoa butter, or Yogurt on your strands. Others involve stretching your hair. Regardless of the method, it's essential to use heat-protecting products. Here are some tips for protecting your natural hair from heat damage.
Shea butter
Natural hair needs protection from heat, and a good moisturizer can help. Shea butter contains a small amount of SPF, which acts as a shield against the sun's harmful rays. Add it to a moisturizer spray, or use it as a hair mask before blow-drying. It also protects against air pollution, salt, and chlorine. Apply it to damp hair before you use a blow-dryer or diffuser.
Shea butter is hard to apply in its natural state, but you can whip it up to make it more manageable. You can even use it as a conditioner, mixed with other natural oils, or just leave it as-is. Either way, it is ultra-moisturizing and adds a healthy sheen to your hair. The double-boiler method can be used to prepare Shea butter.
Cocoa butter
If you are using a blow dryer, cocoa butter can protect your hair from damage. While it is not a substitute for a blow dryer, this product is safe to use with natural hair. When applied to the hair, cocoa butter can help protect it from heat damage and will soften and condition it. The butter will not weigh down your hair and will help prevent it from drying out. You can also use it as a conditioner in your hair, leaving it on for about 15 minutes before washing.
You can find cocoa butter in drugstores and beauty supply stores, but try not to buy it from a conventional retailer. Cocoa butter can contain harmful additives and is difficult to find locally. Its benefits include improved detangling, shine, strength, and manageability. If you are using a normal shampoo, try switching to a sulfate-free brand to prevent your hair from being stripped of essential oils.
Yogurt
It's no secret that yogurt is beneficial for the scalp and hair. In fact, ancient Greek women ate yogurt to keep their hair soft and shiny. The natural fats and proteins in yogurt help to retain maximum moisture. Moreover, the lactic acid in yogurt aids in exfoliation, and calcium improves skin barrier function. All these qualities make yogurt a natural choice to protect natural hair from heat damage. You probably already have a container of yogurt in your fridge.
Another great way to hydrate your hair with yogurt is to use it as a mask. Mixing yogurt with avocado will leave your hair moist and manageable. You can also add other ingredients such as coconut oil, aloe vera juice, apple cider vinegar, and shea butter to your hair mask. This mask can be applied to dry, damaged hair and will help it to regain its natural moisture.
Stretching your hair
In order to protect your natural hair from damage caused by heat, you can stretch it by hand or with a blow dryer. The easiest method to stretch hair is to use your flat iron, but you should always avoid direct heat when stretching your hair. You can use a flat iron instead of a blow dryer if you're short on time. It may take up to 15 minutes to stretch your hair.
Natural hair is prone to shrinking, so you must be careful not to pull it too tight. Whenever you pull or straighten your hair, make sure to use a smooth thread. This way, you won't end up with tangles. Your hair will also be able to absorb more products and avoid tangling. To prevent further damage, make sure you stretch your hair sporadically.
Deep conditioning treatments
A deep conditioning treatment adds moisture to your hair and promotes maximum health. You should perform a deep conditioning treatment on a regular basis - some people do it once a week and others once a month - to get maximum results. This treatment aims to repair your natural hair's damage and breakage while adding additional moisture. You can use heat as part of your deep conditioning treatment to further boost its benefits.
Using a deep conditioning treatment on your hair will help seal the damaged cuticle, restoring its strength and structure. Deep conditioners that are rich in protein can help seal up holes in the damaged cuticle, giving your hair strength and structure. Because damaged hair needs protein to grow and recover, it's important to replenish that protein after heat damage. Deep conditioners are one of the most important steps in protecting your hair.
Wrapping your hair at night
The benefits of wrapping your hair at night are numerous. If you frequently use heat, wrap your hair to prevent further damage. Not only will your tresses be less prone to split ends, but you will also benefit from the protection of the heat. If you use a heat protectant serum, you can further improve your tresses and add shine and softness. Apply the serum to the lengths and ends of your hair.
If you do not cover your hair at night, you risk waking up with a limp, brittle mane. Even worse, you have to spend more time in the morning to restyle it. Wrapping your hair is a simple, inexpensive way to avoid bed head woes and add some self-care rituals to your daily routine. For example, you can wrap your hair in a scarf to protect it from damage from the heat.