The relationship between your hair and your heat styling tools is bound to become dangerous if not handled with care. If you use heat tools, then you’ll know that too much heat can ultimately do a lot more harm than good to your hair.

Sure, we all love styling with heat. It’s fast and effective. If you’re using too much of it too often though, it can affect the health and appearance of your locks.

It’s a vicious never-ending cycle – the more you use heat tools on your hair, the more damage you do to your hair. The more damage you begin to see from the heat styling, the more you want to continue using your heat tools to temporarily cover up your damaged hair!

Using heat protectants and deep condition treatments can help mitigate some of the damage by repairing and protecting the hair against the harmful effects, but as hard as it is to believe, the only way to really restore your gorgeous strands is to cut off your relationship with your heat tools.

Here’s why you should end the relationship with your heat styling tools:

It’s time to break up

As we’ve established, heat can damage your hair.  It can cause the protein bonds in your hair to break down, leading to split ends, breakage, and frizz. Over time, excessive heat styling can also cause your hair to become dry and brittle, making it more prone to breakage, damage and hair loss.

Did you know, heat can change your hair’s texture?

When high levels of heat are applied to hair, it can alter the shape and texture of your hair. For example, if you use a flat iron to straighten curly hair, you can damage the hair’s natural curl pattern and make it more difficult to style in the future. No matter if it leaves your hair looking silky soft and straight, it’s damage that you cannot see immediately but over time, the effects will show.

Heat can also cause damage to the colour of your hair. If you dye your hair, it’s especially important to use less heat. Heat can cause the colour of your hair to fade more quickly. This is because heat can cause the hair cuticle to open, allowing colour molecules to escape.

Additionally, heat can damage the proteins that give your hair its colour, causing it to look dull and lifeless.

ALSO SEE: Why does hair turn grey? Scientists may know why, and how to reverse it

Alternative styling methods

If you’re looking to use less heat on your hair, there are plenty of alternative styling methods you can use. Here are a few ideas:

• Air-dry your hair: Let your hair air-dry instead of using a blow dryer. This will help prevent heat damage and give your hair a more natural texture.
• Use a heat protectant: If you do need to use heat styling tools, use a heat protectant first. This can help reduce the amount of damage caused by high temperatures. We like Moyoko’s Magic Mist.
• Try low-heat styling tools: Most styling tools come with heat levels, so use the lower levels. These can be a good alternative to high-heat tools.
• Embrace your natural texture: Instead of trying to change your hair’s texture with heat styling, embrace your natural texture. Use products that enhance your natural curl or wave pattern.

By using alternative styling methods you can help keep your hair healthy and looking its best.

Strengthen your hair by:

• Increasing your protein intake.
• Supplementing vitamin D and iron.
• Take collagen.
• Prevent hair breakage with satin pillowcases and satin hair ties.
• Apply a deep oil treatment to restore nutrients that have been lost.

ALSO SEE: Hair loss is it my Olaplex haircare or is it me?

Breaking up with your heat styling tools might be difficult at first. but over time you will begin to visibly see the benefits of less heat on your hair.

Your hair will thank you!

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Featured Image: Getty Images