Heat styling of hair is pretty common these days. Most of us are game for styling trends like blow-drying, straightening, curling, perming, crimping, and other similar practices that make use of high temperatures. But do you know that heat styling can damage your beautiful locks to a huge extent? Are you taking enough care of your hair while applying heat on it? Well, a thermal protectant, especially a heat protection hair spray, is indispensable for you if you are in love with heat styling. Otherwise, the damage of your hair can turn out to be permanent. We have compiled here a list of 10 best heat protection hair sprays in India that can make your heat styling practices smooth and worry-free. Keep reading.
How Does Heat Styling Damage Your Hair?
It may be easier than ever to use hair styling tools at home but the convenience comes with its own share of risks. When it comes to blow-drying, flat-iron straightening, or hot curling the hair, we usually expose the strands directly to very high temperatures without preparing them with proper protective layers. This imposes extreme thermal stress upon them, which often leads to severe damage in the cuticle layer (cracked, chipped, or rugged), cortex (bubbles or voids), frayed ends, split ends, faded hair color, diminished curl, dryness, frizz, and even breakage. As the temperature of the styling tools crosses 100°C and reaches 200°C or more, the hair starts getting damaged by the following mechanisms:
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1. Evaporation Of Water
There are two types of water molecules in our hair cortex, one that binds to keratin proteins and the other that remains free. Both of them provide critical support to the hair structure and contribute to its properties. But the application of heat causes these water molecules to evaporate and leaves the hair dehydrated. This alters the internal protein structure as well as the mechanical properties of hair, thereby leading to changed curl patterns, less tactile feels, and straw-like texture. As a result, the hair becomes frizzy and brittle.
2. Rapid Water Loss
If styling tools create intense conditions by inducing extremely high temperatures, the water molecules within the interiors of individual hair shafts start to ‘boil’ rapidly and ‘flash’ off from their actual positions, creating bubble-like voids in the hair structure. This causes ruptures in the cuticles allowing further moisture loss and forms gaping spots in the hair strands, which result in breakage and split ends over time.
3. Destruction Of Protein
The cuticle and cortex of hair are made of keratin protein, which experiences thermal degradation from heat styling tools. High temperatures induced by these tools can soften the keratin and disrupt its three-dimensional structure, which brings conformational changes to hair protein. Consequently, the elasticity, strength, texture, and curl of the hair get affected.
4. Oxidation Of Pigments
It has also been found that extremely high temperatures of styling tools cause oxidation of the pigment articles present in hair strands. Both natural (melanin) and artificial pigments (incorporated in hair structure via hair coloring) can turn lighter and fade away gradually. This is usually very prominent in red, auburn, and brunette hair.
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Why Use A Heat Protection Hair Spray?
If heat styling is the only option, you can rely on a heat protectant available in the market. They are mostly available in the form of hair sprays, which can be applied to the hair easily in just a couple of seconds. Repeated applications of thermal protectant hair sprays can reduce all sorts of heat damage (tryptophan damage, structural damage, and chemical damage) induced by styling tools. They come with humectants like panthenol, propylene glycol, and phytantriol, which retain water in hair strands while polymers, silicones, and botanical oils seal it inside the cortex. These sprays also contain compounds with low thermal conductivity, such as silicones and copolymers of acrylates that reduce the heat flow to the hair strands by working as insulators. Thus, the hair can also be protected from cuticle damage, crack formation, void formation, etc. But it has been seen the dry hair sprays are more effective in preventing and/or repairing the detrimental effects of heat on hair while wet ones still need improvement to offer the optimal results (1).
Heat protection sprays are also available in the forms of oils, creams, or serums. Oils and serums are suitable for fine hair while cream formulae work great for thick hair.
10 Best Heat Protection Hair Sprays In India
1. TRESemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Leave-In-Spray
The best thing about this Heat Tamer Leave-In-Spray from the ‘Thermal Creations’ range by TRESemme is its specifically designed professional formula that provides heat protection up to 450-degree F. It is designed with an advanced Thermal Recovery System that is just perfect for minimizing the adverse effects of heat styling as well as preventing further damage caused by it. The lightweight mist is rich in moisture-locking vitamin complex that hydrates and conditions hair fibers to give you soft, shiny, salon-like vibrant tresses right at home. It can also guard your hair against friction to tame frizz with gentle care while enhancing the overall flexibility of your hair to a great extent. You will also fall in love with the refreshing aroma of the hair spray.
Price: Rs. 860 for 236 ml.
2. Schwarzkopf Gliss Total Repair Heat-Protection-Spray
If you want to take the utmost care of your hair during heat styling and protect it from severe damage, this Schwarzkopf Gliss Total Repair Heat-Protection-Spray is the right choice for you. Its unique heat protection formula provides protection from up to 220-degree C while providing adequate moisture to the hair strands without making them limp. Free from hazardous materials, the product ‘cares and protects’ all types of hair with ingredients like hydrolyzed collagen, hydrogenated castor oil, hydrolyzed silk, and hydrolyzed keratin. Regular application of the spray will repair your existing hair damage and prevent future damage as well to give you long-lasting beautiful hair. It also offers smoothness, natural shine, and anti-frizz effect up to 3 days.
Price: Rs. 595 for 200 ml.
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3. L’Oréal Paris Studio Pro Heat It Hot & Big Heat Spray
The Heat It Hot & Big Heat Protect Spray from the Studio/Pro range by L’Oreal Paris is another great addition to this list. It protects all types of hair from heat up to 230-degree C with its exclusive heat protect technology. However, it suits fine hair or hair prone to flyaways the best. Being a ‘root boosting amplifying spray’ with ground-breaking ‘thermo-straightening’ formula, it can create smooth, polished, and bouncy hair that is satiny soft to touch and long-lasting enough. It also helps in giving the hair a frizz-free and voluminous look that can be maintained for as long as 3 days.
Price: Rs. 1,150 for 200 ml.
4. WELLA Professionals EIMI Thermal Image Heat Protection Spray
When it comes to heat protecting the hair in an affordable way, WELLA Professionals turns out to be an amazing choice. This EIMI Thermal Image Heat Protection Spray is a two-phase formula that is designed to protect the hair from heat damage while leaving it smooth with awesome natural hold. In Phase 1, it nourishes tresses as well as shields them from heat up to 220-degree C while in Phase 2, it conditions and smoothens them for a healthy and glossy effect. You can’t help but love this hair spray if you are into heat styling very much.
Price: Rs. 600 for 150 ml.
5. Toni & Guy Prep Heat Protection Mist
Toni & Guy Prep Heat Protection Mist is the ultimate protection for the hair against the damage caused by heat applied to it. This super-fine and lightweight mist can shield the hair from heat up to 446-degree F, thereby ensuring a damage-free heat styling session every time. Being rich in castor oil and glycerin, it has amazing effects on dry and damaged hair. It can condition hair intensively to make it softer, smoother, and healthier. It also prevents breakage that is very common in the case of heat styling. Apply it before styling and between appliances in order to get a soft, smooth, and shiny finish.
Price: Rs. 750 for 150 ml.
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6. Osmo Thermal Defense Heat Protector
If you cannot do with heat styling at all, this Thermal Defense Heat Protector by the leading UK collection of professional hair care and styling products ‘Osmo’ is a must-have for you. Formulated with hydrolyzed wheat protein, this spray not only defends your hair against the heat styling abuse but also protects it against the harsh effects of the environment. Apart from this, it nourishes every strand of hair deeply and seals moisture in it to create a smooth and shiny finish. The product is suitable for all types of hair.
Price: Rs. 880 for 250 ml.
7. Berina Hair Heat Protector
Berina Hair Heat Protector can give your heat-treated hair a new life by repairing its damage and shielding it from future distress. It is a weightless product that provides protection and nourishment to the hair altogether without leaving a sticky, oily, or greasy residue behind. Infused with pro-vitamin B5, this thermal protectant features two systems of milky spray. It conditions the hair thoroughly for a beautiful look, which suits all types of hair easily.
Price: Rs. 590 for 230 ml.
8. Sebastian Professional Trilliant Protection & Shine Hair Spray
Sebastian Professional Trilliant Protection & Shine Hair Spray is an ingenious product, which is designed to protect the hair from the negative impacts of heat styling tools. Besides thermal protection, it also nourishes and smoothens the hair while the rock crystal extract in it adds a brilliant shine to it. The spray features a multifaceted ‘Trilliant’ complex, which gets activated upon shaking in order to create ‘shimmer, shine, and stun’. It conditions the hair and makes it look stunning with a lightweight body, sparkling shine, and silky finish.
Price: Rs. 1,800 for 150 ml.
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9. L’Occitane Heat-Protective Control Mist
L’Occitane Heat-Protective Control Mist is ideal for protecting as well as controlling dry and hard-to-manage hair that has been getting ruined by repetitive heat styling. It comes with a heat-shield active ingredient for keeping the hair nice and healthy even after applying heat up to 230-degree C. The lightweight and silicone-free formula is also made with five essential oils and moisturizing jojoba oil, which offer the highest levels of benefits in terms of moisturizing, nourishment, and smoothening of the hair. It also neutralizes frizz and controls your hair without weighing it down.
Price: Rs. 1,750 for 125 ml.
10. Ktein Natural Hair Heat Protection Spray
Ktein Natural Hair Heat Protection Spray is a natural heat thermal protectant that works best for daily use for pre-styling protection and post-styling setting. The lightweight serum formula is packed with all-natural ingredients like rice water, flaxseed, grapeseed, aloe vera, and green tea that help in protecting the hair from the damage caused by heat styling tools. Being rich in hair-friendly vitamins and minerals, it also nourishes and moisturizes each hair strand thoroughly. Frequent use of the product will give you healthy, strong, and glossy hair with improved elasticity, enhanced growth, and reduced frizz. Bonus? It is a 100% vegan and cruelty-free product with no alcohol, parabens, sulfates, or other harmful chemicals.
Price: Rs. 400 for 100 ml.
How To Apply Heat Protection Hair Sprays?
Now, here are our experts’ tips that will help you get the most out of your thermal protectant application:
- Always apply a heat protection hair spray right before using any heat styling appliances on your hair. Applying it after the process does not work at all.
- Shake the bottle of hair spray very well before applying it.
- Hold the spray bottle at the length of your arm and spritz all over your locks generously and evenly.
- Make sure that you cover the lower layers equally by flipping your tresses.
- Do not forget to wash the spray build-up off your hair in a couple of days.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Heat Protection Spray Good For Hair?
Yes, heat protection sprays are very useful for hair, especially if it is exposed to high heat induced by heat styling tools. It is even better to choose thermal protectants with natural ingredients, which ensure that your hair stays healthy and becomes better with each use.
Is Coconut Oil A Good Heat Protectant For Hair?
Coconut oil is known to be one of the best natural heat protectants for hair. It not only shields the hair from the damage caused by heat styling appliances but also nourishes it deeply for its overall improvement.
Do You Put Heat Protectant On Wet Or Dry Hair?
It depends on the type of heat protectant you are selecting for your hair. Some products can be used on wet hair or dry hair and some can be used on both. Make sure that you go through the label of the product before purchasing it in order to get the best results.
Does Leave-In Conditioner Protect Hair From Heat?
When applied prior to heat styling, a leave-in conditioner can also function as a heat protectant for the hair. It provides an extra layer of protection against damage and locks most of the moisture in your hair to keep your hair healthy and beautiful.
References:
- “The Effects Of Water On Heat Styling Damage”, NCBI.NLM. NIH.gov
