This is because they coat the strands with a buffering layer of nutrients that helps absorb the damage that comes with heat manipulation. Additionally, they can also help hydrate the hair and infuse the strand with nutrients, which are often depleted as the result of regular styling. Sounds like a win-win-win, no? Heated Defense, Kevin Murphy ($29) Hair Love Prep Spray, InnerSense Beauty ($28) Mongongo Oil Thermal & Heat Protectant Spray, Mielle Organics ($9.99) Melu Hair Shield, Davines ($37) Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Creme, Briogeo ($24) Dressed Up, Hairstory ($36) Thermal Stress Protector, Oway ($42) No. 7 Bonding Oil, Olaplex ($28) Blowout Creme, Seen ($24) Complete Instant Recovery Heat Protectant Leave-In Serum, JVN ($28) Blue Tansy Leave in Conditioning Styler, adwoa beauty ($24) Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream, dae ($26) Perfect hair Day™ 5-in-1 Styling Treatment, Living proof. ($29) Elastic Bounce Leave-in Conditioning Styler Hair Cream, BREAD BEAUTY SUPPLY ($28) “Most hair is made of three layers: the inner fiber called the medulla, the middle layer called the cortex, and an outer layer called the cuticle,” writes hairstylist Josh Rosebrook about damaged hair. “When hair becomes damaged, the cuticle raises, chips, becomes fragile, easily tangled, and loses moisture, luster, and the shine that’s created when the cuticle is flat and smooth.” Now—you don’t need to avoid heat styling altogether. But you do need to be smart about it (enter the heat protectants above). As hair expert and board-certified dermatologist Raechele Cochran Gathers, M.D., says, “I get lots of questions about heat styling, as it can cause a lot of damage. For my patients that are experiencing breakage and hair loss, I tell them to try to limit it to once weekly if possible,” she says. “For fragile hair types, daily heat styling is likely to be damaging. It’s not that these are off-limits: Just be smart about your use of your flat irons, hairdryers, or curling wands. Ultimately learning how to use these is more important than not using them altogether.” Our high standards also come from testing products—many, many products. Our editors and writers rigorously test and research the products featured in our roundups to offer you the best, most informed recommendations. When we write reviews, you can trust we spend quality time with the formulas: We don’t simply rave about products we’ve slathered on the back of our hands. We endorse products we’ve tried and loved. Learn more about our testing process and clean beauty standards here. So if you are one to use flat irons, blow dryers, or curling wands, be sure to grab one of the recs above. If you want to level-up your hair care game, consider adding in a protein treatment as well for ultimate hydration and damage control.
