Heat Shield for Hair: Get to Know the Benefits and an Incredible Homemade Recipe
If you have the habit of drying your hair with a hairdryer or frequent use of the iron, you should already know that these habits can end up damaging the wires.
However, sometimes we can not expect the hair to dry naturally or we are not in the mood to leave the house with it in its natural shape.
The problem is that heat damage should not be ignored. When the wires are exposed to high temperatures, the cuticles open and allow moisture to escape, leaving hair porous and subject to frizz.
To avoid this, it is a good idea to use a thermal protector before using the dryer, the flat iron or the babyliss, in order to prevent the heat damage of these appliances.
The benefits of thermal protector
The thermal protector is a product that promotes the hydration of the wires while also forming a barrier that reduces the loss of moisture during the application of heat.
The industrialized versions of this product usually have a mixture of two ingredients, cyclomethicone and dimethicone. While the former promotes hair hydration, the second is responsible for making a protective layer around the wires – thus, they lose less moisture during the use of heat.
In addition, the thermal protectors soften the cuticles, allowing them to close and leaving the wires less porous. As a result, they are less likely to exhibit frizz in higher humidity or rainy days.
Finally, by increasing the level of hydration, reduce moisture loss and promote cuticle closure, thermal protectors make hair more pliable and more textured to the touch.
How to use the thermal protector
The thermal protector should be used after the hair has already been washed and conditioned, with the wires still damp.
Remember to use the flat iron and Babyliss only after the hair is dry, otherwise, you risk “frying” the wires. Exposing damp hair to the heat of these appliances speeds up the loss of water, leaving it dry.
If your hair is thin, it is best to use lower temperatures because it does not need as much heat to dry or take on the new shape. That way, you save your wires from aggression.
How to Make a Homemade Thermal Shield
If you want to test a home-made thermal protector, Write down the ingredients:
50 grams of Yamasterol
1 teaspoon of repairing oil
1 buffer of physiological saline
2 water stoppers (measure with saline cap)
Simply mix all the ingredients and store the mixture in a spray bottle, which facilitates application to the hair.
According to a youtuber, you should apply the product to wet hair wick by the wick. It is not necessary to use a large amount of the mixture, otherwise, the hair can become oily and heavy.
For those looking for totally natural products, it is possible to use some vegetable oils as a thermal protector. The most indicated ones are the oil of grape seed, coconut, avocado, sunflower and the olive oil.
Grape seed and sunflower oils have a fairly high smoke point, which means that they prevent heat from directly reaching the wires. Avocado oil, in turn, is able to nourish and moisturize the hair and protect it from sun damage during the day.
Coconut oil is able to penetrate deeply into the threads, moisturizing them and minimizing water loss, as well as refreshing the scalp in the summer. Lastly, olive oil is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, which help maintain hair health, and is even able to form the protective barrier around the wires.
If you still have questions about using thermal protectors or if your hair does not react well to the indicated products, it is always advisable to consult the opinion of a trusted hairdresser or a trichologist.
