Revive Heat-Damaged Hair
Has your hair taken a beating from too much heat styling? Discover expert tips for repairing and nourishing heat-damaged hair to restore its health and vitality.
From super-sleek strands to voluminous blow-dries to bouncy, defined curls – heated hair tools can help us achieve some of the most covetable hairstyles. However, they can also contribute to dryness, breakage, and overall damage. The good news is that with the right care and products you can work to rehydrate it and, over time, restore it to health, says Ilhaam Rabin, hair expert and founder of Headquarters Hair Design. Here she shares her top tips and products to help revive heat-damaged hair.
Choose nourishing shampoos and conditioners
Selecting the right shampoo and conditioner is essential for maintaining healthy hair, says Ilhaam. Opt for products that are specifically formulated to repair and nourish damaged hair. Look for shampoos free of sulfates, which can strip hair of its natural oils, and choose conditioners with ingredients like essential fatty acids as well as ingredients such as coconut oil, shea butter, and sweet almond oil which can nourish the hair from the inside out.
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• Dove Shampoo Intensive Hair Repair For Dry Hair
• Schwarzkopf Gliss Shampoo Intense Therapy
• Flawless by Gabrielle Union 3 Minute Restoring Hair Conditioner
• Elvive Bond Repair Conditioner
Incorporate leave-in conditioners
Leave-in conditioners are a must-have for managing heat-damaged hair. Unlike regular conditioners that are rinsed out, leave-in conditioners stay on the hair, providing continuous hydration and protection throughout the day. They help to detangle, reduce frizz, and offer an extra layer of moisture.
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• Sorbet Drybar Spritz Me Softly Leave-in Conditioner Spray
• Clicks Haircare Collection Shea Butter Leave-in-Conditioner
• Tonic Institute Tonic Boost Curl Leave-in Conditioner
• Ethnogenics Leave In Conditioner
Add a mighty mask
One of the most effective ways to combat heat damage is by applying a deep conditioning mask at least once a week as they can penetrate the hair shaft to provide intense moisture and repair damage from within. When shopping for a formula, Ilhaam suggests looking for masks that contain ingredients like keratin, which helps rebuild the hair’s protein structure, and natural oils such as argan oil, which provide essential nutrients and hydration.
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• John Frieda Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Intensive Masqu
• Sunny Isle Pure Chebe Intense Repair Masque
• Umberto Giannini Repairing Deep Conditioner Treatment
• Oh So Heavenly Advanced Benefits Hair Treatment Mask Repair 'n Care
Use heat protectants
Before using any heat styling tools, always apply a heat protectant spray. These products create a barrier between your hair and the high temperatures, minimising heat damage and keeping your hair healthier.
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• Umberto Giannini Heat Protection Spray
• John Frieda Detox & Repair Care & Protect Spray
• Native Child Heat Defence Spray
• TRESemme Heat Protection Spray Hair Treatment Care And Protect
Try a hair serum
If you want a product that can shield and protect hair from heat damage but also help control frizz, seal split ends, and leave your hair with a glossy shine, then a hair serum is a must. Designed to be used on freshly washed, damp hair, these smart serums are usually silicon-based and lighter than a hair oil and can also soften hair too.
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• Clicks Haircare Collection Ultra Rich Hair Serum Rooibos
• Clicks Hair Rescue Smooth & Nourishing Silicone Serum
• Umberto Giannini Miracle Work Smooth Serum
• Afri True Heat Protection Serum
Treat with oil
Incorporating hair treatments with natural oils can provide additional nourishment and repair. Ilhaam loves oils like coconut oil, olive oil, and jojoba oil as they are rich in fatty acids and vitamins that can help restore moisture, add shine, and improve overall hair health.
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• MyEarth Organic Argan Oil
• Tonic Institute Tonic Boost Hydration Elixir Oil
• Vatika Jojoba Oil
• The Body Shop Rainforest Coconut Hair Oil
Limit heat styling
While it’s not always possible to avoid heat styling entirely, reducing usage could help give your hair time to recover from each use. Embracing your natural hair texture and opting for heatless hairstyles (think messy bun or low ponytail) are two great ways to give your strands a break from hot tools. And when you do style, lowering the heat settings on your styling tools could help to minimise damage to your hair.
Regular trims
You’ve heard this advice time and time again, but frequent trims and cuts can help minimise future damage. Ilhaam recommends scheduling trims every 6-8 weeks to help remove damaged ends and keep your hair looking healthy and fresh.
Nutritional support
While nutrition can’t reverse hair damage, it can prevent it by promoting healthier hair growth. Focus on essential nutrients like protein, biotin, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids, maintain adequate hydration, and consider supplements if needed, consulting a healthcare professional first.
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• Clicks Adult Hair, Skin & Nails Multivitamin Gummies
• Clicks Expert Hair, Skin & Nails Capsules
• NeoVita Luscious Hair, Skin & Nails Strawberry Gummies
• Clicks Hair, Skin And Nails Tablets
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Products featured in this article
Shampoo Intensive Hair Repair 400ml
R 105.00Gliss Shampoo Intense Therapy 400 ml
R 11.003 Minute Restoring Hair Conditioner 237ml
R 20.00Elvive Bond Repair Conditioner
R151.20Spritz Me Softly Leave-in Conditioner Spray 150ml
R 45.00Shea Butter Leave-in-Conditioner 470 ml
R 99.99Tonic Boost Curl Leave-in Conditioner 250ml
R 23.00Leave In Conditioner 250ml
R 140.00Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Intensive Masque 150ml
R 180.00Pure Chebe Intense Repair Masque 473.176ml
R 286.00Repairing Deep Conditioner Treatment 200ml
R 126.00Advanced Benefits Hair Treatment Mask Repair 'n Care 220ml
R 94.99Heat Protection Spray 175ml
R 180.00
Detox & Repair Care & Protect Spray 250ml
R 140.00Heat Defence Spray 100ml
R 82.99TRESemme
Heat Protection Spray Hair Treatment Care And Protect 300ml
R 135.00Ultra Rich Hair Serum Rooibos 50ml
R 54.99Hair Rescue Smooth & Nourishing Silicone Serum 50ml
R 59.99Miracle Work Smooth Serum 75ml
R 190.00Heat Protection Serum 60ml
R 62.99Organic Argan Oil 30ml
R 176.00Tonic Boost Hydration Elixir Oil 125ml
R 18.00Jojoba Oil 100ml
R 29.00Rainforest Coconut Hair Oil 200ml
R171.50Adult Hair, Skin & Nails Multivitamin Gummies 60s
R 159.00Hair Skin & Nails 30 Capsules
R 199.00
Luscious Hair, Skin & Nails Strawberry 60 Gummies
R 143.00Hair, Skin And Nails 60 Tablets
R 186.00
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