5 Genuinely Good Heat Protectant Sprays for Hair

Heat styling tools are great at getting the style you want, whether that’s loose waves or straightened layers. But how do you protect your hair from the damage heat can do? Hair dryers, curling irons, and flat irons can all lead to a whole host of problems, from frizz to breakage.

The good news is that heat protectant sprays are one of the best ways of preventing damage by creating a protective barrier between your heat styler and hair. There are a lot of products out there that promise the world, but we’re here to find out which ones really work.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the best heat protectant sprays for hair and how Hairy Hair can help if you’re struggling with hair loss.

How Do Heat Protectants Help Your Hair?

Heat protection products primarily work to safeguard your hair health from heat damage. Excess heat from styling tools can cause damage to your hair cuticle. This causes the texture to be rough and frizzy.

The Journal of Cosmetic Science found that heat protectant spray improved cuticle integrity and smoothness to help prevent breakage. These sprays work by reducing natural moisture evaporation from hair while using heat styling tools. They further help spread heat more evenly and slowly throughout hair while straightening, curling, or blow-drying.

While they’re not cure-alls for preventing heat damage, they can help keep your hair healthier in the long run. 

What Should You Look For in a Heat Protectant?

The range of ingredients and potential benefits can be dizzying, but here’s our breakdown of some things to be aware of when shopping for a heat protectant:

• Formula and application: Heat protectants can work for all different types of hair. If you’re applying it right, it shouldn’t cause a greasy appearance. Sprays are better for normal or fine hair, while creams work better for curly or thick strands.
• Ingredients: Strengthening formulas that defend against heat damage should be prioritised in your search for the perfect protectant. You should keep an eye out for ingredients like amino acids, wheat protein, and keratin.
• Humectants: These are hydration boosters that attract moisture. They are especially helpful for thick and curly hair. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to help lock in moisture.

The Best Heat Protectant Sprays for Hair

Now you know how heat protectants work, here’s our rundown of the top choices for your hair:

Best Overall

The Bumble and bumble Bb. Heat Shield Thermal Protection Hair Mist is great for every hair type and is easy to apply. After just a few sprays, hair can be evenly coated. It’s also easy to spread the product through strands without weighing them down or making them oily. Results can improve over time, but using the spray too much can cause a sticky feeling.

Best for Fine Hair

When sprayed for lightweight distribution, the Dae Agave Styling Mist creates a fine and even mist. This is especially helpful for fine and straight hair that can be easily weighed down. Further benefits include improving shine and softness while minimising breakage. 

It doesn’t work for frizz, but people with fine hair usually don’t have to worry about this. Avoid applying it too close to the roots, as it can cause the texture to become greasy.

Best for Dry Hair

The Mielle Mango & Tulsi Thermal Protectant Spray helps keep wavy and coily hair hydrated while preventing frizz. The formula absorbs quickly, making it great for styling on the go. The ingredient list is full of moisture boosters like argan oil (great for hair growth) and mango butter. It works well for tightly coiled hair after blow-drying and helps improve moisture in high-humidity conditions.

Ensuring that your spray is properly absorbed can significantly affect how effectively it protects your hair. Another study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science highlighted how “dry” sprays (ethanol-based) led to less structural damage than “wet” (water-based) sprays. Whether you choose a “wet” or “dry” spray, wait for the product to absorb to prevent damage from moisture evaporation.

Best for Frizzy Hair

Briogeo Farewell Frizz Heat Protectant Crème is a great pick for preventing flyaways and achieving a super smooth look with hydrating argan and coconut oils. Its thicker texture means it can work well with curly and thick hair without weighing it down. The formula can be a little tricky to work with, and it takes some testing to find what works for you. Applying a coin-sized amount on slightly damp hair is a good place to start. 

Best for Damaged Hair

If you’re already finding that your hair needs some help against breakage, the Kérastase Genesis Heat Protecting Leave-In Treatment is a good option. The formula helps to strengthen strands while preventing frizz, contributing to your overall hair health. It works great as a pre-blow-drying treatment to leave hair smooth and sleek. 

Speaking of heat, you should generally take care with the temperature you’re using on your heat styling tools. A study from the Annals of Dermatology found that hair surfaces became more damaged as temperature increased. But surprisingly, using a hair dryer 15cm away from your hair with continuous motion caused less damage than drying hair naturally. 

Heat Protectants and Treating Damaged Hair

Heat protectants are important products for preventing damage while creating the perfect look—straight or curly. The ingredients used help lock in moisture that can easily escape when exposed to high heat. They also create a protective barrier between your hair and high temperatures. Heat protectants are also great for strengthening damaged hair that needs some TLC.

However, heat protectants will only do so much to help protect vulnerable strands. If you’re prone to shedding or thinning, hair will only continue to fall out or break off while using heat styling tools. And that’s even if you’re using a heat protectant. Heat styling will only worsen your condition if you’re not addressing the underlying cause of your hair loss.

Contact Hairy Hair today if you want to take control of your hair loss. Our hair growth treatment tackles a range of hair loss issues simultaneously to give you a better chance at stopping thinning and achieving regrowth. The hair loss solution acts as a vasodilator to help ensure your hair follicles are well nourished while working to block DHT production (the hormone that causes follicles to shrink and fall out).

When you’re ready to tackle your hair loss, just fill in our quick online questionnaire to get started. One of our qualified Australian GPs will review your details and create a personalised treatment plan based on your needs. They’ll give you a call to outline the treatment and answer any questions. Finally, your prescription will be delivered right to your door for a convenient and discreet service.