How to Protect Your Hair from Heat Damage

Styling hair using heat is almost synonymous with heat damage - or at least, that's what many hair care brands will tell you. However, at ghd, we have a very different opinion. As long as you're using the optimum heat styling temperature and the proper care products before and after your routine, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to enjoy shiny, sleek, and healthy hair.

Keep reading to learn more about what you can use to protect your hair from heat damage.

ghd isn't just another hair styling brand - for many women, using their ghd is a transformative experience. Why? Because ghd use the magic of science to help us learn everything there is to know about how heat affects hair. Our research and innovation are at the forefront of all of our products, so we can direct you to the best options no matter your hair length, type, and current condition.

We use science to make discoveries in:

How heat can shape hair
What temperature is the best for our styling tools
How different temperatures affect hair
How different hair types absorb and react to heat
What happens to colour, natural curl patterns, and hair health when exposed to heat

...and much more. We don't just focus on creating high-quality styling tools - we also strive to make products that focus on hair care, too.

What happens when you use heat on your hair?

One common misconception about using heat styling tools is that all heat exposure can damage hair, which isn't necessarily true. However, you have to be careful about the temperature of the heat you're using, as too hot or too cold has the potential to create irreversible damage, which can only be rectified by trimming and waiting for your hair to regrow. No thanks!

Many tools on the market boast about their adjustable heat settings... which is far from something to boast about. The ability to increase the temperature over 190 degrees might give you the impression that you're straightening your hair quicker, but that's not the case.

Hotter than 190 degrees

Anything above 190 degrees is too hot and should be avoided at all costs. This can damage the internal cortex of your hair, leading to irreversible hair breakage. Did you know that hair can begin to melt at over 220 degrees?!

Cooler than 160 degrees

So, the colder, the better - right? Wrong. Styling your hair with anything less than 160 degrees can actually cause external damage to the cuticles, leading to dry and porous hair that might not be able to hold style well.

Optimum at 185 degrees

The perfect in-between temperature here is 185 degrees, which has been proven to leave hair styled and shiny for much longer than other temperatures without damaging it, keeping it as healthy as possible in the long run.

Key elements of hair protection

for curly hair

ghd Curly Ever After

he ghd curly ever after is a spray that's been specifically designed for curly hair, maximising the longevity and definition of your curls while also protecting them from excess heat. The heat protection system covers your hair in a thermal layer to keep it healthy without weighing your curls down or making them feel crunchy!

for damaged hair

ghd Rehab

So you've damaged your hair with too much heat - not to worry! Our ghd rehab advanced split-end therapy is perfect for nourishing and fortifying damaged ends, leaving them feeling stronger and looking more sleek. Plus, with the included heat protection system, it's great for protecting hair from extra heat you use afterwards. Just make sure you use the optimum temperature going forward!

for straight hair

ghd Straight On

If you want your straight hair to last all day long, ghd's straight on is the perfect spray for a super sleek finish and healthy look. It's lightweight and feels invisible, while smoothing frizz instantly when used with a hair straightener. It features the classic heat protection system too, leaving you with a professional finish that you can be proud of. It strengthens and protects, too, so no matter what you're doing, you can enjoy a salon-quality finish for hours.

for pre-heat styling

ghd Bodyguard

Formulated by ghd stylists and engineering heat experts, ghd bodyguard comes with a unique heat protection system, letting you use professional styling tools without having to worry about damaging your hair. It uses a two-fold action of protecting polymers and conditioning agents to avoid your cuticles lifting, keeping every strand of hair protected and smooth.

for wet to dry styling

ghd Sleek Talker

Another fan favourite product if you're styling your hair right after a shower, the ghd sleek talker is an oil that leaves your hair moisturised, soft, and protected. Use it either with your blow dryer or our ghd duet style for the best results. It features argan oil to make it lightweight and non-greasy, along with our heat protection system, giving you the confidence of protected hair!

for pre-blow drying

ghd Volume Forever

The new ghd volume forever is a lightweight cream that can maximise the volume of your next blow dry. It includes Abyssinian oil to condition hair without weighing it down, along with ghd's heat protection system to keep your hair thermally protected so you can style your hair without the risk of damage.