When silky, soft hair becomes dull and brittle, it can be really annoying. If you are facing difficulty in managing hair strands, or if you are spending too much time reviving your hair strands, you end up with even more damage. To prevent hair damage, we need to know how heat damages the hair.
Heat damage
Heat damage initiates at the cuticle, which is the outer layer of the hair strand. This layer, the cuticle, locks in the moisture, serving as the foremost line of protection. It reflects light for natural shine. It provides protection to the inner structure from both mechanical wear and emotional stress. With excessive hair styling by heating, the barrier cuticle, which protects the hair, begins to break down. The cuticle may lift or completely erode. After the breakdown of the cuticle, the inner layer, that is the cortex, is left exposed and vulnerable to damage.
Damaged v/s healthy hair
Every case of heat damage to hair is different. Damaged hair could be seen through various signs, which could be based on visual and textural signs, behavioural signs or severity scale.
Visual and textural signs
- Dull hair – healthy hair reflects light evenly because of the cuticle. But when that cuticle is compromised due to heat styling, the light scatters, which leads to a noticeable dullness and lack of shine.
- Frizzy hair – the rumpled cuticle does not lie flat. It causes the strands to separate and frizz.
- Split ends – the visible signals of stress at the tips are the split ends, which are a sign of deeper internal damage.
- Uneven texture – sections of the hair can feel dry or rough if the heat is applied too frequently.
Behavioral signs
- Loss of elasticity
- Increased tangles
- Style resistance
- Porosity shift
Severity scale
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- Mild – mild dullness, some dryness and roughness.
- Moderate – frizz which is noticeable, reduced elasticity, rough texture, and tangling.
- Severe – extreme dryness, hair breakage, difficulty retaining moisture and in holding style, split ends throughout.
Heat-damaged hair and permanency
Hair is not a living tissue. Thus, unlike skin, it can not regenerate. Some hair which is damaged due to heat styling can be visibly improved. In severe heat damage cases, complete recovery is not possible. It is due to the compromised cuticle in the first place. The cuticle, once damaged, can not rebuild itself. Trimming is the only way to remove the damaged ends of the heat-styled hair and to prevent further breakage. The appearance, manageability and strength of the hair can be enhanced even if the structure would not completely return to its original state.
Recovering damaged hair
Recovery depends on consistency as well as hair type and the severity of the heat damage. During the recovery procedure,
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- 1-2 weeks- hair starts feeling soft and retaining moisture with the help of regular conditioning and reduced amount of heat styling.
- One month- an improved sine is noticed in one month, with better elasticity and reduction in breakage.
- 2-3 months- hair starts feeling stronger and starts detangling easily. Split ends are reduced.
- 6+ months- overall improvement is seen. Trimming can help in removing the remaining damaged hair as well.
Fixing damaged hair
- Laying off the heat
- Weekly deep conditioning
- Alternate protein treatments
- Using a leave-in conditioner
- Gentle detangling
- Protective styling
- Trimming gradually
- Sleeping smart
- Caring for the scalp and nutrition
- Being patient with the process
Preventing further heat damage
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- Rinsing with cool water
- Keeping the blow dryer at a distance
- Using a microfiber towel
- Applying a heat protectant spray
- Sleeping on a satin pillow
Conclusion
As you know, hair is an essential part of our body. Destroying or damaging the hair can make it all the more difficult to treat it. ASG Hair Transplant offers hair transplant options to all those who are suffering from baldness and various hair issues. This is the best hair transplant centre in Ludhiana. We give you results as per your desires.
