As we move into the winter months, Denver’s dry, cold air is going to take a toll on your hair. Add to that the dehydrating effects of indoor heating and the cuticle-ruffling effects of warm winter hats, and you can be sure it’s time to pamper those delicate strands. But what if you rely on heat styling to give you the look you love? Can you keep your blowdryer and flatiron and still have silky, shiny hair? You sure can, as long as you take the time to learn to heat style hair without causing damage.
With the right care, heat styling doesn’t have to prevent you from having healthy hair. A little extra TLC will see that your locks will make it through another mile-high winter and stay strong, soft, and shiny. The right tools and treatments will protect your strands and give you an impeccable style. So schedule a deep conditioning treatment to start the season right and follow these insider tips from the professionals.
Start with Some Heat Styling Basics
One important way to protect your hair is to use the right tools. The heat should be adjustable, so you can choose the setting that works best for your hair. Flatirons should be made with high-quality material that heats evenly, such as ceramic, tourmaline, or titanium. Cheap flatirons with metal plates can develop hot spots that sizzle your hair before you realize it. If you’re not sure about your styling tools, bring them in to show your stylist. They can let you know if the tools are the right ones for you and give you tips on the best way to use them.
When you style your hair, use the lowest heat possible. It may take a little longer, but it’s worth it to keep your hair healthy. A thermal protectant product is a must-have. It will not only guard your hair from heat damage, but it can also have other benefits, like keeping your blowout looking better for longer or making flat-ironing time 3 times faster.
Don’t Wait! Repair Your Hair Regularly
To keep ahead of potential damage, use conditioning products that strengthen and smooth your hair. As a bonus, well-hydrated hair is less likely to develop winter frizz. A nourishing leave-in treatment is a great defense against daily harm. Use regular deep conditioning to fortify your hair and leave it smooth and shiny. If you’re seeing any signs of breakage or roughness, add a repair serum, like Kérastase’s Fibre Architecte, that targets damage and weak strands.
Also, it’s not a bad idea to take a day off from heat styling once every few weeks. Letting your hair air dry can be a great way to restore stressed hair. The right protecting and conditioning treatments will do more for your hair’s health in the long run, though.
Professional Treatments
Trims:
It’s especially important to have your hair trimmed regularly if you use heat styling tools often. Keeping your ends healthy makes your whole hairstyle look more polished.
Treatments:
Your stylist can also offer you luxurious deep conditioning treatments that are perfect for Denver’s arid climate and suited to your hair’s needs. Hydrated, nourished hair is more resilient when dealing with any kind of damage. For an even higher level of indulgent hair care, you may want to consider a professional treatment from Deseo Salon & BlowDry, such as a Brazilian Blowout or Keratin treatment. Both leave your hair straight and silky, and they protect your locks by sealing the cuticle. Your stylist can help you decide which process is right for you, based on your hair and your goals.
If you love your heat styling tools, they don’t have to be a guilty pleasure. The right care and knowing how to heat style safely. will protect your hair. Then you can always have the look you love and the shiny softness you crave. Let our expert stylists show you how you can have it all.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I heat style my hair without causing damage?
The key to safe heat styling is using the right tools, applying a thermal protectant, and keeping heat settings as low as possible. High-quality flat irons made with ceramic, tourmaline, or titanium heat evenly and reduce the risk of hot spots that can burn hair. Always apply a heat protectant product before styling, and take occasional days off from heat to allow hair to recover.
What type of flat iron is safest for hair?
Flat irons with ceramic, tourmaline, or titanium plates are the safest choices because they heat evenly across the entire surface. Cheap flat irons with metal plates can develop uneven hot spots that damage hair before you realize it. If you’re unsure whether your current styling tools are appropriate for your hair type, a professional stylist can evaluate them and recommend the best option.
What does a thermal protectant do for hair?
A thermal protectant forms a protective barrier around the hair shaft that guards against heat damage from blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons. In addition to protecting against damage, quality thermal protectants can also prolong blowout results and even speed up flat-ironing time. They’re a non-negotiable step in any heat styling routine.
How do I repair hair that’s been damaged by heat styling?
Regular deep conditioning treatments are essential for restoring strength and smoothness to heat-damaged hair. A nourishing leave-in treatment provides daily defense against breakage. If you’re seeing signs of damage or rough texture, a repair serum like Kérastase’s Fibre Architecte specifically targets weak, damaged strands. Regular trims are also important, keeping ends healthy ensures your overall style stays polished.
How often should I get trims if I heat style my hair regularly?
Regular trimming is especially important for those who use heat styling tools frequently, as heat can accelerate split ends and breakage. Keeping up with trims every six to eight weeks helps maintain the health of your ends and prevents damage from traveling further up the hair shaft.
Can professional treatments help protect heat-styled hair?
Yes, professional treatments like a Brazilian Blowout or Keratin treatment can actually protect heat-styled hair by sealing the cuticle and leaving strands straight, silky, and more resilient to damage. At Deseo Salon & BlowDry, professional deep conditioning treatments can also be suited to Denver’s dry climate, providing the extra hydration your hair needs to withstand both heat styling and cold-weather damage.