Hey, curly beauties! Let’s chat about heat damage. We all love a good blowout or sleek straight look, but frequent use of straighteners or blow-drying at high temperatures can dry out your hair and cause breakage. Over time, constant straightening can even alter your natural curl pattern. Unfortunately, you can’t turn back the clock on heat damage, but don’t worry – we’re here to help you revive your curls and keep them healthy!
Understanding Heat Damage
Heat damage occurs when the intense heat from styling tools strips away the natural moisture from your hair, leading to dryness, breakage, and a compromised curl pattern. While reversing permanent damage isn’t possible, our curly team is always ready to recommend the best products and techniques to help your natural hair recover and thrive.
Tips to Prevent and Repair Heat Damage
Once your hair is back in shape after a good detox, we understand that you might want to heat style occasionally. Here are some friendly and bubbly tips to prevent heat damage and keep your curls bouncing back into shape!
1. Visit the salon
Regular trims are essential for maintaining healthy curls. Getting rid of those damaged ends helps your hair seal in moisture, resulting in healthier, bouncier curls! Sometimes, treating heat-damaged curls is best left to the professionals. Check out our interactive map of salons that stock Only Curls products and find a salon near you.
2. Cleanse
Treating heat-damaged natural curls starts with a good cleanse. Use a sulfate-free shampoo to wash away any buildup from oils or styling products. This step is crucial because it allows moisture to re-enter the hair shaft and rejuvenate your curls.
3. Moisture
After cleansing, your hair will be primed to absorb moisture! Apply a deep conditioning hair mask and leave it on for up to an hour to restore your hair’s moisture balance and help it recover from heat damage. For maximum moisture absorption, wrap your hair in your Only Curls Hair Towel.
4. Try a hot oil treatment
If your hair still feels dry after the previous steps, try a hot oil treatment. Coconut oil is fantastic for penetrating the hair shaft and moisturising from the inside out. Warm the oil slightly and apply it to your hair, then cover with LuxeHeat Thermal Heat Cap and leave it on for 30 minutes before rinsing.
5. Use a heat protectant
When you do decide to use heat styling tools, always apply a heat protectant first. This creates a barrier between your hair and the heat, reducing the risk of damage. Look for products that are specifically formulated for curly hair. Bouclème recently launched a powerful heat protectant that protects against heat over 200 degrees!
6. Avoid high heat settings
Keep your styling tools on the lowest heat setting that gets the job done. High heat can be too harsh on your curls, so take it easy and be patient. Your curls will thank you!
7. AIR DRY WHEN POSSIBLE
Whenever you can, let your hair air dry. This natural drying method helps maintain your curl pattern and reduces the risk of heat damage. If you need to speed up the drying process, use a diffuser attachment on your blow dryer with a low heat setting.
Ready to Pamper Your Curls?
Keeping your curls looking fabulous doesn’t have to be a struggle. By following these tips and using the right products, you can keep your hair healthy, strong, and frizz-free! Treat your curls to the care they deserve and watch them bounce back into shape.
