Everyone wants to have beautiful hair. So when you start to notice hair loss, it's completely normal to start wondering how in the world it's happening and if there anything you can do to prevent it from getting worse. One question we get a lot is—can excessive heat damage hair? In this post, we will take a look at what extreme heat can do to your hair and if it could be contributing to your hair loss. We are here to be a resource for you on hair loss and solutions, so take a deep breath and read on.
What Does Excessive Heat Do to Your Hair?
First, let's talk about the primary sources of heat damage. All our curly girls out there with their flat irons, those can cause heat damage. The same is true with blow dryers and curling irons. One factor that determines the severity of the damage is the level of heat you're using. Most flat irons have temperature settings and even blow dryers have hot, warm, and cool options. If you find yourself using those styling tools with the heat way up, that will affect your hair. Another factor is how often you heat style your hair. Do you blow your hair dry every day? Or is it now and then? There's no shame in styling your hair. For many people, it's a non-negotiable part of their look! But it is important to realize there can be negative repercussions.
One of the most common things we see with heat damage is simply that color doesn't stay as well. And if you're paying good money to have your hair colored, you may want to try to protect it. But when we see people with more severe cases of heat damage, the stakes are a little higher than losing color. For those with curly hair, some pieces or sections of hair can go straight. After washing it, it doesn't return to its natural state and shape. When it's not wet, it feels rough and dry, and it looks dull. And then in the worst-case scenario, hair can even begin to break. Breakage can either be a few inches from the end or even at the root.
Why Does Heat Damage Happen?
When you use heat styling tools on high heat and at a high frequency, the temperature is sucking the moisture out of your hair. You can use protectants which help and try lower heat and rate. You have to do your research when adding protectants to your hair though because product build-up can make the temperature higher when using styling tools. If you often put your hair into a tight ponytail, this can cause more breakage at the site of the hair tie too.
What Now?
The good news is, if you are experiencing hair breakage from heat damage, we can help. As a family business, we take our clients and their concerns about their hair very seriously. And we provide each client with a variety of solutions. For people with heat damaged hair, we may suggest injections that strengthen the hair you still have and promote healthy new growth. Another option that works well for heat damage is hair extensions. That way we can restore the length of your hair while it continues to recover. For more severe cases, wigs and surgical solutions are always an option.
If hair breakage and loss is stressing you out, you're not alone. We'd love to sit down with you to learn about your experience and come up with a plan from there! Our consultations are free, so please don't hesitate to contact us and we can begin your hair recovery journey right away!
