Tips For Minimizing Damage when Styling Your Hair

  Everyone I know uses some type of hot tool, whether it be a blow dryer, curling iron, flat iron,  styling wand etc.   Your hair is constantly bombarded with heat.  It's important to know that heat is necessary when styling our hair.  Without heat, many of us would just be a huge frizz ball. There in lies the dilemma.  How can we style our hair but maintain the health of our hair?

 First we need to understand what heat does to our hair.  When we put a hot tool to our hair the heat of the tool allows the hair to become pliable.  It also manipulates the shape,  elasticity and shine of your hair.  Allowing the hair to cool before styling helps you style last longer.  Curls that are manipulated prior to cooling tend to collapse in on their self, not holding the style intended.   It's important to know that without the proper protection, your hair will eventually start to become lifeless and dull due to overuse of heat.

One of the most important step you can take to minimize damage starts in the shower. After you've shampooed your hair, apply your conditioner as normal, except gently brush your hair with the conditioner in it.  You have to be gentle at this point.  When the hair is wet it is prone to breaking, so be sure to use a brush with soft bendable bristles, such as a Tangle Teaser.  You can find yours at Hair Color Experts in various sizes and colors.

Before you style your hair, protect it by using Joico Heat Set.  This is the perfect blow out crème.  This weightless styling crème will help extend the life of your blow out while it helps to shield your hair from damage and reduce frizz.   Once dry and before you apply your hot tool, use Joico IronClad thermal protectant spray. This is a non-sticky, flash dry formula that helps shield the hair from damaging heat up to 450 degrees while providing 72 hour frizz control.


When blow drying your hair, be sure to rough dry you hair 60 - 80 percent dry before applying product or using a round brush.  Once you've dried to the appropriate dryness, apply your mousse, gel, etc to your hair.  Brush thoroughly, then dry in sections, starting at the back working your way to the front.  This will ensure a nice smooth blow out.

When you're selecting your hot tool it's important to remember that it's not a one size fit's all deal.  All hair is different in their texture, thickness and  porosity so it's important to find the perfect temperature for your hair needs.  If you’re a highlighted blonde you will have more issues with damage and porosity, therefore your hair can be styled at a much lower temperature than other types of hair.  The same goes for people that have naturally curly hair.  Knowing this, you can see how having a hot tool that is temperature regulated is extremely important.

Once you start to curl or flat iron your hair, work quickly.  It's better to take thinner sections and quickly glide down the hair shaft, than to allow the iron to sit for too long.  This may mean that you have to apply your iron more than once to that section, but your hair will thank you for it.

If you feel that your hair isn't responding to your new routine, then it's time to treat the damage.  A good haircut is the only way to treat the damage, but there are products you can use to enhance the condition of your hair.  Joico K-Pak Revitaluxe delivers complete  restoration and hydration to dry, damaged hair.  Instantly leaves hair stronger, softer and more moisturized in as little as 3 - 5 minutes.


Don't be afraid to air dry your hair to give it a break.  There are a variety of products on the market today that will help you achieve a style with out the aids of hot tools.   Air drying is the least damaging styling option for your hair, and you should give your hair a break from styling as often as possible.