We agree with you: hairdryer, straightener or curling iron are real hairstyling partners to give your hair the style you want. But like all good things: don't overdo them!
Why does heat work so well on hairstyling?
You notice it every time you use a straightener, curler or hairdryer. The heat helps to give your hair the shape you want. Why? that’s simple: the high temperature modifies the internal structure of the hair DNA proteins, by doing so, it shapes it according to our movements! And if the internal structure is changed, the external structure will be changed as well! That's why these heating tools succeed in creating the hairstyles of our dreams. But the heat has many adverse effects on the hair fibre as well. It excessively dries up the water held in the hair fibre. When you consider that the hair is composed of keratin, water and a hydrolipidic film (composed of water, sebum, minerals and fatty acids) that surrounds it; you understand that by removing 10% of water, the hair starts losing its vital composition. Lipids and smaller proteins in the cell membrane complex are lost during heat styling. This also weakens the hair and can cause the hair to feel drier and less pliable. The stress of combing hair (grooming) causes breakage because of the weakened internal and external damage on hair. Thermally damaged hair does not fully regain the moisture that they lost during heat styling. They also do not retain moisture well possibly because of the changes in protein structure and loss of lipids. What that means is that hair ends up feeling drier/coarser over time. The most damaged areas such as the ends will feel like straw over time.
Why water is important for hair cleansing?
Water gives your hair its extension capacity, diameter, consistency, i.e. the fact that it is soft, dry, brittle... but water also plays an essential role in strengthening your hair! If the hydrolipidic film is damaged, the cuticle will also be damaged: the scales rise, the hair becomes porous, it absorbs liquids but is no longer able to retain them! Day after day, water quickly escapes from the hair fibre. The hair grows even more fragile and becomes drier. Abused and dried-out, hair scales lose their structure and open up, exposing the keratin that slowly deteriorates. That’s what happens when hair heaters are misused. Be sure to take note of our advice to avoid this.
Fight the bad heat effects on hair with a thermo-protective and repairing ritual
Rule number 1: Always, ALWAYS, use a complete ritual to repair your hair and allow it to be stronger and suppler. To do this, you can choose the brand new PHYTOKERATINE repair range! Made of the Shampoo, the Mask and the Thermo-Protective Care, this range aims to rebuild the keratin at the heart of the hair fibre.
By adopting this highly repairing care routine, blow dryer and straightening iron enthusiasts will succeed in protecting their hair.
Rule number 2: ALWAYS apply a thermo-protective treatment to limit the negative impact of heat on the hair fibre. These treatments allow you to use a certain amount of heat while preserving the hydration at the heart of the hair. It nourishes the fibre and prevents damage to the hair, split ends or a dull appearance.
To be used as much as needed, every time you use a blow dryer or iron, use PHYTO Paris brand PHYTOKÉRATINE Thermo-Protective Repair Spray: apply it to damp hair before blow-drying, or to dry hair before curling or straightening.
How does it work exactly? The Spray diffuses into the heart of the continuous fibre of the Vegetal Keratin to complete the repairing action of the shampoo and mask. In addition, Hyaluronic Acid intensely rehydrates the hair, which is immediately plumped up, while the extract of Thermoprotective Grape preserves it from damage caused by the heat of the styling tools.
When to use heating tools on hair?
The hairdryer is not to be used on wet hair, but damp hair. What's the difference? wet hair has already been blown dry, you've given yourself time to dry your hair as little as possible, and so reduce your exposure to heat! The straightening and curling irons must be used on dry hair. Otherwise, the hair may burn due to heat.
Each metabolism being different, some people see the effects after a few weeks. For others, it's after a few months!
Temperature adjustment for heating tools
That's why we prefer quality dryers and straighteners: you need to be able to choose the temperature and the intensity you want.
How to choose it?
Depending on your hair type!
Thin hair will need a reasonably low temperature, while thick hair will require an intermediate temperature.
When using the dryer, start with a fairly low temperature but with maximum power, then gradually reverse the 2!
Did you know? Patrick Alès, the founder of the PHYTO Paris brand, also invented brushing at his Parisian salon.
Hairdryer: keep the right distance
7,8 inches at least! The further you hold it, the better. There is no need to put the dryer right on the hair. It won't go much faster, but it will damage your hair faster!
Of course, we start at the root, then go down to the ends. When our hair is almost dry, you can come closer and blow dry using a brush to discipline it, while reducing the intensity of the blow-dry.
Brush, straighten, curl, strand by strand
Brushing, straightening, curling... No need to deal with the whole hair at once. We prefer to split the hair, strand by strand, to avoid having to heat the same hair over and over again.
How many times per week should I use hair heaters?
Despite all these tips, however, the heaters should only be used 3 times a week! Besides, it's about the same frequency you wash your hair. Good timing! And that's it. You know everything about how to use hairdryers, hair straighteners and curling irons to perfection! Now it's time to play.