Thermal protector for hair: discover the benefits and an amazing homemade recipe

If you have the habit of drying your hair with a hairdryer or using the flat iron frequently, you should already know that these habits can end up damaging the strands.

However, sometimes we can’t wait for the hair to dry naturally or we’re not in the mood to leave the house with it in its natural shape.

The problem is that heat damage should not be ignored. When the strands are exposed to high temperatures, the cuticles open and allow moisture to escape, leaving the hair porous and subject to frizz.

To avoid this effect, a good idea is to use a thermal protector before using the dryer, flat iron or curling iron, in order to prevent damage caused by the heat of these appliances.

The benefits of heat protectant

The thermal protector is a product that promotes the hydration of the threads at the same time that it forms a barrier that reduces the loss of humidity during the application of heat.

Industrialized versions of this product usually have a mixture of two ingredients, cyclomethicone and dimethicone. While the first promotes hair hydration, the second is responsible for making a protective layer around the strands – thus, they lose less moisture during the use of heat.

In addition, thermal protectors soften the cuticles, allowing them to close and leaving the wires less porous. As a result, they are less prone to frizz in environments with higher humidity or on rainy days.

Finally, by increasing the level of hydration, reducing moisture loss and promoting the closing of the cuticles, thermal protectors make the hair more manageable and with a more pleasant texture to the touch.

How to use thermal protector

The thermal protector should be used after the hair has been washed and conditioned, with the strands still damp.

Remember to use the flat iron and curling iron only after the hair is dry, otherwise you run the risk of “frying” the strands. Exposing damp hair to the heat of these appliances accelerates water loss, leaving it dry.

If your hair is fine, it is better to use lower temperatures, as it does not need as much heat to dry or take on the new shape. That way, you save your wires from aggression.

How to make a homemade heat protectant

If you want to test a homemade thermal protector, you can follow the tip of youtuber Bia Siqueira, from the channel Ficando Gata. Write down the ingredients:

• 50 grams of Yamasterol
• 1 teaspoon repairing oil
• 1 capful of saline
• 2 capfuls of water (measure with the saline cap)

Just mix all the ingredients and store the mixture in a spray bottle, which makes it easy to apply to the hair.

According to the youtuber, you should apply the product to damp hair strand by strand. It is not necessary to use a large amount of the mixture, otherwise the hair can become oily and heavy.

If you have any doubts regarding the preparation of the thermal protector, just watch the following video with all the explanation:

For those looking for totally natural products, it is possible to use some vegetable oils as a thermal protector. The most suitable are grape seed oil, coconut, avocado, sunflower and olive oil.

Grapeseed and sunflower oils have a very high smoke point, which means they prevent heat from directly reaching your hair. Avocado oil, on the other hand, is able to nourish and moisturize the hair and protect it from sun damage during the day.

Coconut oil can penetrate deeply into the hair, hydrating it and minimizing water loss, as well as refreshing the scalp in summer. Finally, olive oil is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, which help maintain the health of the hair, and it is also able to form a protective barrier around the strands.

If you still have doubts about how to use heat protectants or if your hair does not react very well to the indicated products, it is always advisable to consult the opinion of a trusted hairdresser or a trichologist.