HOW TO REVIVE HEAT-DAMAGED CURLY HAIR

An unfortunate by-product of using heated stylers is the heat damage that comes with it. Curly hair, by nature, is more prone to breakage - so it’s vital you give your curls extra nourishment and TLC in order to keep them looking their best.

We’ve put together a guide on how to revive your curls, as well as the best products for damaged curly hair from the John Frieda Frizz Ease range.

Why does heat styling damage curly hair?

Your hair uses natural oils from the scalp to nourish the whole strand and ends of your hair. Curly hair is naturally more prone to breakage, as these oils struggle to get past all of your kinks and curls, leaving curls in constant danger of drying out.

If you’re adding heat styling to this inherently dry hair type, you’re even more susceptible to dehydrated hair, and vulnerable to breakage and frizz. That's why it's important to know how to care for heat-damaged hair.

What does damaged curly hair look like?

Damaged, dry curly hair may look straighter or looser the first wash after styling it - your curl pattern may also appear and feel totally different, and more ‘relaxed’ than before. Here are some other signs to watch out for:

• Your hair may also feel dry and rough to the touch, even near your roots
• Hair looks dull, and has lost its natural elasticity and shine
• Split ends and visible damage may appear along the hair shaft
• You hair looks frizzy and is hard to manage
• It’s difficult to style your curls as you normally would, and your style doesn’t hold its shape for long

Can I fix damaged curly hair?

Damaged hair can't be repaired or reversed, as the protein bonds within your hair have broken - so the damage is permanent. However, it’s possible to revive curls and get them back to looking visibly-healthy without a drastic haircut.

• If you want to restore your heat-damaged curls, start by rehydrating your locks in the shower. Our Miraculous Recovery Shampoo and Miraculous Recovery Conditioner are formulated for dry, damaged and frizzy hair, are still suitable for waves/curls, and contain Anti-Damage Technology
• For an extra deep-conditioning treat, our Miraculous Recovery Deep Conditioner transforms dry, damaged hair into nourished, visibly-healthy strands. Our Miraculous Recovery products can be used in combination with our Dream Curls styling products, so feel free to mix and match to achieve defined curls
• After washing and conditioning, rinse your hair with cool water to seal the cuticle and ‘trap’ moisture
• Gently wrap your hair in a soft microfibre towel after washing - avoid briskly rubbing or tugging to dry your hair. Instead, blot it dry gently. You can also use an old, clean cotton t-shirt to wrap your hair in after washing
• Use a heat protectant spray before you dry your hair
• Use a diffuser when you’re drying your hair, and stop using heat when it’s 80% dry
• Use styling products for curls which nourish and protect. Our Dream Curls range is expertly-crafted to help you maintain, define and enhance your curls from wash day onwards
• Start wearing protective styles to protect your curls - twisted buns and braids are a great choice as they don’t need heat styling and are gentler on your scalp than some tighter hairstyles
• Invest in a silk sleeping wrap or silk pillowcase to reduce friction while you’re sleeping

Should I cut my hair to remove the heat damage?

Depending on how severe the heat damage is, you may need to cut your curls to remove the damaged hair. However, we’d recommend that you try to amend your routine for a few weeks to see if it makes any difference to your hair, and watch for improvement.

If you still don’t see any difference after one month, talk to your stylist about what to do next. They may recommend a deep-conditioning treatment which is only available in salons - and they may also recommend cutting your hair to stop damage travelling up the shaft.