- 1). Conduct a heat-damage hair test. Pull out a strand of your hair. Clamp the hair between your fingernails and pull the hair through the nails from the root to the end to curl the hair, much like using scissors to curl wrapping ribbon. Drop the curled hair into a clear glass of water. If the water doesn’t uncurl the hair strand, it is a sign it has lost its elasticity and is damaged.
- 2). Check for split ends and hair loss. Check the drain trap in the shower and your brush to determine if you are suffering from excessive hair loss or breakage.
- 3). Cut off as much damaged hair as possible. The more damaged hair you can remove, the quicker your hair will rejuvenate from heat damage. Repairing heat-damaged hair can take up to two years.
- 4). Switch to shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for heat-damaged hair.
- 5). Limit or suspend the use of all heat-related styling devices to give your hair a break. Flat irons should never be used on hair more than three times a week and, when hair is already damaged, use should be discontinued. Discontinue use of other damaging hair products such as hair coloring and straightening chemicals.
- 6). Spray on or rub in heat-protection products before blow-drying or flat-ironing your hair. Use products designed specifically to coat the hair and prevent heat damage. Look for products containing dimethicone, which melts when heat is applied to coat the hair shaft.
- 7). Comb hair with a wide-tooth comb when wet. Never use a hair brush on wet or damp hair, as it will cause further breakage.
- 8). Apply hot oil or deep-conditioning products. Use a deep-conditioning mask or hot-oil treatment at least once a week when using heat to style hair.
- 9). Toss out older flat irons. Any hair-straightening device that is more than five years old should be discarded and replaced with a newer model. Heating elements in older devices can malfunction and cause significant hair damage.
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