How to Care for Heat-Damaged Hair

Hair dryers, straighteners and curling tools work wonders on your hair in the short term, but frequent heat styling leaves its mark: split ends, dulled shine and a rougher texture to the touch. Restoring your hair's health doesn't mean giving up these tools entirely, just adding a few extra steps.

The first step is never applying heat directly to dry hair: a heat protectant creates a barrier that significantly reduces the damage caused by high temperatures. Turning down the heat setting also helps — you don't always need the highest temperature to get the result you want.

Adding a hydrating or nourishing hair mask once a week helps restore lost moisture and smooth the hair fibre. Light oils, such as argan or coconut oil, applied to the ends also help disguise and prevent split ends.

Finally, it's worth alternating with hairstyles that don't rely on heat, giving your hair full days of rest. With a little planning, you can keep using your favourite tools without sacrificing your hair's long-term health.