Having been natural for over a decade now, I’m aware of the fact that heat styling can be very damaging if you don’t take the necessary precautions (trust me I’ve been there!). So I put together a list of 3 hot tool rules you should always follow in order to avoid heat damage.
1. Start with a clean slate & a good conditioner.
Although it’s been 3 years since I’ve straightened my hair, I’ve rocked several protective hairstyles. My all-time favorites are mini twists, knotless braids, and rope twists! Before installing my protective styles I like to blow out my hair so that it’s smooth and easier to work with.
To ensure that I don’t get any heat damage from the blow dryer, I always start with a clean slate. I love the Purifying Cleanser from the Maximum Thermal Protection line at Uncle Funky’s Daughter. It removes any product buildup or dirt from my hair without leaving my hair dry and brittle. This stage is very important because if you try to put heat on your hair without cleansing it first, it can react poorly and cause damage. You should follow the same procedure if you plan to straighten your hair!
Once your hair is clean, make sure to deep condition it to add moisture! The more moisture and elasticity, the better! I love using the Deep Conditioner from the Maximum Thermal Protection collection. You can tell that it was formulated for heat styling due to how moisturizing it is without weighing your hair down.
2. Always use a heat protectant spray.
A heat protectant spray is extremely important when heat styling. You should never use any hot tool without using a heat protectant first. I used the Primer, which is designed to protect your hair from heat up to 400 degrees. This is more than enough protection from a blow dryer but make sure that you check your flat iron settings as well.
You can also combine the Primer with the 3 in 1 Shine Booster! I love the way these products make my hair feel after blow drying. Normally my hair is left feeling very dull and dry but this product combination made my hair shiny and moisturized. I’m impressed!
3. Do not touch up your hair with more heat!
As I mentioned before, It’s been a while since I’ve straightened my hair but there was a time that I would do it pretty frequently. Many times, heat damage doesn’t happen during the initial styling process but afterward! An important tip that I would give is to avoid using more heat on your hair for “touch-ups.” Instead, you can wrap your hair at night to prolong the style. I also like to do Bantu knots, braid outs, twist outs or Flexi rod sets instead of applying more heat. Your hair will still be elongated and you’ll look great. No need for a heat touch-up!
Straightening your hair doesn’t have to be scary, just make sure you’re following the above hot tool rules and you won’t get heat damage. Also, make sure to check out the Maximum Thermal Protection line, it has everything you need to prep your hair for heat in one collection!
xoxo
Kimberly (@_sunkissedcurls)
