Heat damage occurs when you have permanently altered your natural curl pattern by using too much direct heat (flat irons, blow dryers, etc.)
Signs of Heat Damage
- Hair no longer returns to natural curl pattern (hangs limp/straight)
- Ends are overly dry and splitting
- Hair looks and feels dull
Repairing Damage
You may be able to recover from heat damage if it’s not too significant, however sometimes it’s irreversible.
- Deep condition your hair for at least 30 minutes (preferably under the dryer with a plastic cap). You can also wrap your hair in a warm towel after applying the conditioner.
- Try a hot oil treatment and leave it in overnight. Shampoo and condition your hair in the morning.
- If only a small section of your hair is damaged, you can use small perm rods to curl the ends while your hair grows out.
However, you may find it easier to just trim the damaged hair off — especially if the hair texture of the damaged portion is drastically different from your natural hair.
Sometimes it can be more work trying to hang on to the heat damaged hair.
Preventing Damage
It is very difficult to avoid heat damage if you flat iron your hair regularly. Even if you use a heat protectant, you still run the risk of damage because your hair can only take so much heat.
Even though our hair seems “tough” it’s actually very, very fragile.
If you must flat iron or press your hair, try to limit your heat applications to once every other month and use lower temperatures. Check out these guidelines on straightening your hair.
Deep Condition Before Applying Heat
If you are going to use heat on your hair, give it a good deep conditioning to help strengthen your strands.
And of course, always use a heat protectant. You can buy these products at almost any beauty supply or use grapeseed oil if you want to go the more natural route.
Just remember, if you flat iron your hair regularly (multiple times per week) it is going to be more difficult to maintain your natural hair pattern. The less heat you use, the better.
Hey I have been having so muchtrpuble with transitioning , ive been transitioning for about 5 month the edges of my hair are really damaged and all the permed ends fell off but its not noticable , I am confused as in finding a regimen im scared to put the wrong products in my hair that would do more damaged because i used simply shea shampoo paraben free and its like it stripped my hair i currently have it in crochet twist with i have had for like 3 weeks and i didnt know what kind of treatment to put in itwhen i take my hair down and how often to wash… and whats the difference in pre poo and co wash and How often should i do each ? Please help
My hair is about 2 inches from my waist and I don’t want to cut it. But I do have severe heat damage on the bottom of my hair. So its really dry kind of brittle feeling. What are some good products to use and hair styles since all the ones I see are for shorter hair and more for relaxed hair not heat damaged hair
Hi Monique, Let me tell you. I’ve tried nurturing damaged ends on several different occasions and always ended up having to cut my hair. If you don’t do something, the damage just travels up the shaft and you end up losing more length. It’s better to cut your losses now before you have to trim even more.
Those products that say they can “mend” or “repair” ends really just smooth them out temporarily but the best thing to do is trim past the damage so you don’t lose any more. Trust me! The longer you wait, the more you’ll have to cut. I’ve been there. Had I just trimmed the inch or two the first time, I’d probably be back to my original length (or even longer) instead of just trimming a bit and then experiencing continuous breakage because I didn’t trim enough.
Hi, I wanted to know if you’re planning on transitioning from heat damaged to natural hair, is it okay to follow roughly the same regemins as those transitioning from relaxed hair such as the wash and deep condition every week part. I ask because when trying to prepare myself with enough information to start my transition, I mostly only find tips for relaxed transitioners.
Hi Michelle,
I’m a bit confused, if you are transitioning that implies you already have a relaxer. So are you saying you have damaged natural hair?
Ummm, I guess I do. Sorry for the confusion, I’m a bit confused myself. I guess you wouldn’t consider it transitioning if you don’t use relaxers. I’m just trying to restore my hair’s healthy natural state from being continuously heat damaged over the years and my question is it okay to follow roughly the same regimen as those transitioning from relaxed hair?
Oh OK yes, it’s definitely ok. Sounds to me like you need weekly deep conditioning and lots of low manipulation hairstyles to restore your hair.
Didn’t get answers to my recent questions much needed solutions. .
Hi Tina, I don’t always see the questions until maybe even days later so that’s why.
I think you need to stop using that treatment altogether. Sounds to me like it’s still a chemical, therefore you are prolonging your transition with each application of the amino acid. I would stop doing this ASAP. I wouldn’t recommend any steps until you stop using the treatment because it’s hard to know if that is what is causing breakage.
Then give your hair a break for a few weeks to a month and wear a low heat style like a rod or straw set. If you aren’t comfortable going natural wearing such styles you can always get extensions if they aren’t done too tight and you give your hair a break at least once every other month or so.