Will a heat protectant really Protect? Discover This Hair Care Truth

It’s a common question: “Should I use a heat protectant?” I’m asked this all the time! Hair trends come and go (hello curtain bangs and shags!), but hot tools and blow dryers are often the key to achieving the latest look.

Sadly, it’s a long-standing marketing technique for conventional companies to promote “heat protectant” products. Typically, heat protectant products are loaded with silicones and plastics  meant to cosmetically add shine to hair. However, consumers (that’s you!) often don’t realize how damaging these thermal styling products can be.

Unfortunately, a typical heat protectant doesn’t protect hair.

A conventional heat protectant is designed to coat the hair and secure it, much like plastic wrap secures food. But, that leaves hair unable to absorb moisture. Instead of being protected, hair is dehydrated and starved for nutrients, then blasted with heat, which further dehydrates and damages. Yikes! This is a recipe for unhealthy hair, which is the exact opposite of what you want, right?

Styling your hair smarter – and without the nasty silicones in a conventional heat protectant – is the difference between starved, thirsty hair, and the hair of your dreams. I like to speak in terms of “preparation” rather than a heat protectant. Why? Because hair is like plant energy, it needs hydration, water and nutrients. As a stylist, I know hair can withstand a certain amount of heat styling on a regular basis with proper preparation.

Hair Love Prep Spray debuted February 3, 2020

New Hair Love Prep Spray sets the foundation for heat styling.

We created Hair Love Prep Spray to set the foundation for styling and prime the hair. Enriched with Vitamin B and rice protein to restore strength and shine while plumping hair from roots to ends, baobab and angelica root provide care for thermal, UV and environmental exposure. Finally, amethyst crystal connects us to our crown chakra!

Take these 3 steps to stop the unhealthy heat protectant cycle.

Healthy hair care starts in the shower. That’s why you should read labels and choose clean hair care free of silicones, sulphates, parabens and plastics. And whatever you do, don’t fall for the heat protectant hype. Do these 3 things instead:

1. Take inventory of your hair health and answer these questions:

Do you use one or more heat styling tools? Are you colour or chemically treating your hair?

What status is your hair currently in? Is it dry? Do you have breakage?

How is your general health, nutrition and stress level? Are you drinking enough water?

2. Hydrate your hair, then, hydrate some more!

Hydration isn’t just about choosing clean hair care with nourishing ingredients and emollients. It also includes lots of water! That means applying clean hair care products to typically very wet hair, with very wet hands, and bringing the products alive in your palms before application.

3. Remember, when hair is hydrated, there’s no need for a conventional heat protectant.

Fully hydrated hair has the moisture and nutrients it needs for heat styling! Now that you’re a savvy consumer, you can keep your hair healthy while showing off those curtain bangs or that barrel roll or even that stick straight fringe!

My picks for heat styling according to your hair type:

Fine Hair

• Pure Harmony Hairbath
• Pure Inspiration Daily Conditioner
• Sweet Spirit Leave-In Conditioner
• Hair Love Prep Spray 
• I Create Volume (aloe is super hydrating!)

Medium Hair

• Color Awakening Hairbath
• Color Radiance Daily Conditioner
• Sweet Spirit Leave-In Conditioner
• Hair Love Prep Spray 
• I Create Volume
• Quiet Calm Curl Control (shea butter delivers more hydration)

Coarse Hair or Heavy Chemically Treated Hair

• Hydrating Cream Hairbath
• Hydrating Cream Conditioner
• Hydrating Hair Masque
• Sweet Spirit Leave-In Conditioner
• Hair Love Prep Spray 
• Quiet Calm Curl Control

ARE YOU READY TO END THE CYCLE?

I hope this blog was informative and eye opening for you! Have you struggled with the heat protectant myth? And how did you finally say NO to silicones and yes to clean, pure beautiful hair? Wishing you lots of hair love, ~ Joanne Starkman, founder Innersense Organic Beauty