The Fashion For Men – It is now common for men to use a blow dryer regularly to dry the hair. It is particularly useful in the fast-paced lifestyle of the current generation where you often find it difficult to have the time to let your hair get dry naturally. However, it also has adverse effects as the direct heat coming from your blow dryer can cause damage to your hair. The heat can produce hair breakage and it may lose its natural look. Always keep in mind the following points while blow drying your hair:
Know How Much Heat Your Hair Can Tolerate
Your hair starts to burn or denature at or over the temperature of 450F. For hair, which is fine or which is already damaged or weak this temperature can be even less. In case you are using heat on your hair for the first time, it is better to start with low to medium heat settings. Always use a good professional quality blow dryer where you can trust the temperature it is showing. Choosing the best hair dryers is the primary requisite to minimise damage from blow dryers. Some men see the appeal of using a hair dryer, but the fact that they are so loud may put them off. There is a selection of quiet blow dryers on the market however, it is just a matter of choosing the right one for you. Some men finding that choosing the hair dryer for them could help a lot when it comes to the styling process.
Know the Nature of Your Hair
Every Individual has different hair. Therefore, it is important for you to understand your hair type and its capacity to tolerate heat. If your hair is already malnourished and damaged, it will be more vulnerable to get further damaged by heat. A good thing is to go for a hair assessment to determine whether you should start using heat in the first place. Identifying the condition of your hair by examining the hair texture, its softness, and elasticity will help to assess its heat tolerance. Hair with more elasticity can tolerate more heat while finer hair cannot.
Preparing Your Hair to Tolerate Heat
It is advisable to use deep conditioning and moisturizers on your hair before applying heat to it as they are the proven ways to repair damaged hair. If you prepare your hair the heat will have a less damaging effect on your hair as the treatment help strengthening your natural hair. In addition, such treatment prior to application of heat ensures that the cuticles of the hair remain coated and closed giving it a smoother look. Products that help in building the natural protein of the hair can really help. Use of hair mayonnaise or coconut oil can reduce hair damage from heat significantly.
Use other Heat Protecting Products
A good way to limit hair damage from heat is to use some heat protectants on your hair such as products based on silicone. They can act as a barrier between the heat and your hair, thus protecting it from heat damage. In general, the silicones create a coat on your hair that prevents moisture to reach the hair shaft, thereby preventing reversion. This also has a flip side as it keeps moisturizers to get absorbed by your hair. Therefore, it is better to use some light moisturizer on your hair before applying any heat protectant.
Use Limited Heat Exposure
Too much use of any product is detrimental to your hair and heat is no exception. It is highly recommended to limit direct heat exposure on your natural hair once a week. If your hair is already damaged or you have fine hair, consider applying heat less than once a week. In the beginning, use a little amount of heat and observe how your hair is reacting to it. Never use heat to dry your hair regularly. Use medium to low heat for occasional styling only.
Take the Help of a Professional
Yes, professionals can also cause your hair suffer from heat damage. But, still, it is advisable to take their help as they are often more knowledgeable and the chance of heat damage is more when you do it yourself. Prefer going to an experienced hair stylist.