Using the best heat protection spray for hair can be a successful way of preventing your hair from accidental heat damage caused by curling or straightening irons. However, heat protectants are not 100% foolproof, and there are some limitations to be aware of.

In this article, we explain everything you need to know about heat protection spray for hair and reveal the best drugstore and homemade products you can turn to in 2024 to protect your hair. We also give our opinion about the best way to protect your hair from heat damage, which doesn't necessarily involve the use of a heat protectant.

What is a good heat protectant spray for hair?

A heat protectant is a product you can apply to your hair before using a blow dryer or heat-based styling product like a curling iron. The best heat protectants form a barrier between your hair and the dryer, which helps to prevent your hair from overheating or drying out during the blow-drying process.

Though the composition of heat protectants varies, most heat protectants use silicones and polymers to provide a barrier for your hair. They are usually accompanied by oils and fragrances, which can add moisture to your hair and can aid your styling goals.

Heat protecting spray for hair: How it works

The main role of a heat protectant in your haircare routine is to prevent your hair from overheating. You can use a protectant before styling your hair with a curling iron or straighteners, but you can also apply a protectant before blow-drying your hair.

If you apply too much hot air to your hair via a blow dryer, straighteners or curling irons, the keratin proteins in your hair may break down. What's more, moisture evaporates from your hair when heat is applied, meaning your hair can dry out and it may even break.

By using a heat protectant spray, you can minimize the risk associated with overheating your hair while drying or styling it. Though not 100% effective, heat-protection spray for hair results in around 20% less damage, according to some studies.

Source: https://journal.scconline.org/abstracts/cc1998/cc049n04/p00245-p00256.html

The key to heat protectants is that they create thin layers of film on your hair, which slows down heat conduction, distributing heat more evenly throughout your hair.

Silicones have low thermal conductivities, so they're effective at transferring heat more slowly. So, while a heat protectant spray won't prevent damage from a hot dryer or curling iron, it can reduce the damage caused when you dry your hair with lots of heat.

What's the best heat protection spray for hair?

Though there are lots of heat protectants out there, some are better than others. You can check out our recent article (link) in which we introduce you to 3 of the best heat protectants, but we recommend Moroccan Oil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant as one of the best products on the market today.

Homemade heat protectant spray for straightening hair

Though they can be effective when used correctly, heat protectants are fairly expensive, so you might not want to order a bottle to test out at home. The good news is that there are some alternatives that you can try at home without breaking the bank:

Argan oil

Argan oil has a deserved reputation as a homemade heat protectant spray for curling and straightening hair. Simply apply some Argan oil to the tips of your hair before using your curling or straightening iron. Argan oil is packed with antioxidants and has a smoke point of 420 degrees, making it a great option to protect your hair while drying or styling it. Here are the best hair oils for dry scalp.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil has many potential benefits as a hair product. As well as working as a conditioner, coconut oil can be applied to reasonably thick hair as a sealant, offering protection against heat. Though it has a lower smoke point than Argan oil (350 degrees), it's still a viable homemade remedy if you're looking for a hat protectant spray for curly hair, wavy hair, or thick hair.

Grapeseed oil

As a homemade remedy, grapeseed oil is up there with the best heat protectant spray for dry hair. It has a smoke point of 420 degrees, and it provides relief from conditions like dandruff and even dermatitis. Another great thing about grapeseed oil is that it locks moisture into your hair cuticles to hydrate your hair and prevent it from drying out.

The verdict: Is heat protectant spray bad for your hair or good?

Don't worry; heat protectant spray is not bad for your hair. You can buy a protectant spray and apply it to your hair before using a blow dryer, straighteners, or a curling iron. In most instances, it can offer additional protection and may have other hydrating benefits.

But it's not necessarily the best way to protect your hair from heat damage. At Laifen, we recommend using an ionic hair dryer with adjustable heat settings, such as the Laifen Swift Special. As a result, you can blow dry your hair on the low or medium heat setting to protect your hair from overheating.

What's more, the Swift Special comes with a diffuser nozzle as standard, which you can use to dry your curly or wavy hair. The diffuser is great for ensuring the even distribution of heat across the surface of your hair.

So, while a heat protectant can potentially help you, we recommend using the best blow dryer in 2024 to protect your hair from accidental heat damage - check out the dryers within our range today.