thinkpinkprincess
New Member
What are some natural ingrediants that I can incorporate into my regimine and use before blowdrying/flat ironing that act as heat protectants? Info is mucho appreciated!!!
I think I've heard that about coconut oil as well! I'm kind of scared of cones though because I've heard heard so many bad things about them hear on this board that I am trying to avoid them! lolBumping. My friend and I were curious about this as well. I heard from a lady at Sally's that cones are what protect our hair from heat, and Giovanni (an organic beauty company) makes a serum that has a cone in it that could be used as a heat protectant. I also read somewhere on this site that coconut oil could be used as a heat protectant, but I'm not totally sure if that's true or not.
I think I've heard that about coconut oil as well! I'm kind of scared of cones though because I've heard heard so many bad things about them hear on this board that I am trying to avoid them! lol
There was another thread about this by naturalgurl a few days ago. I know that you have to be careful with any oil and heat because you can end up cooking your hair. Let me see if I can find that thread...
ETA: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=297035&highlight=
Hydratherma Naturals has a heat protectant. I haven't looked at the ingredients. The owner is a member of LHCF.
www.healthyhairjourney.com
I agree that oil doesn't protect from heat.
Heat protectants work because the ingredients actually either disperse or absorb the heat leaving your hair less affected. They probably have a high melting point (coconut oil melts in your hands ) as well.
However, that doesn't mean they don't have ANY benefit while straightening. I guess it's better than putting nothing on your hair, but I wouldn't consider any oil an actual heat protectant.
I'm thinking the closest thing to a natural heat protectant would be proteins imo. SAA, wheat protein... light plant based proteins.
Also, aloe vera looks a little promising. It has a high protein content and it's moisturizing at the same time.
the heat from the sun is not the same as THERMAL heatwhat about sunblock/UV protection/ SPF?? they are supposed to help protect hair from the sun right? so maybe they would do the same with heat, if it was high enough? just trying to think about this thing....
I heard that coconut oil has a low boiling point though. Someone somewhere on this board looked it up. It's liquid as an oil due to the chain of the essential fatty acids not due to low tolerance of heat.
the heat from the sun is not the same as THERMAL heat
Elasta QP Silk is the only product I have been able to find that says it is a heat protectant and does not have cones.
Ingredients:
Water, Polyquaternium-11, PVP, Steartrimonium Hydrolyzed Collagen Protein, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Polysorbate-20, Citric Acid, DMDM Hydantoin, Imidazolindinyl Urea, Fragrance
Here is more info about heat damage and preventing it (If you like using heat than I wouldn't read them cause their pretty scary ):
http://thebeautybrains.com/2008/04/29/how-to-protect-your-hair-from-heat-damage/
http://www.beautysecretsblog.net/2008/07/28/3-ways-to-protect-your-hair-from-heat/
This product has lots of cones. And the horrible layout of the site is enough to make me not buy these products
Check out this quote from an article on glycerin at NC
"Many heat-styling techniques can generate sufficient heat to boil the water inside the hair shaft, which can cause terrible breakage. One way to prevent or minimize this problem is to coat the hair with an emollient that seals in the moisture and that does not transfer the heat from the appliance to the hair as readily. Unfortunately, glycerin conducts thermal energy pretty efficiently (it transfers heat readily to the hair), especially when compared to silicones, proteins, and polyquaternium conditioning ingredients. For that reason, use glycerin sparingly and in combination with a more insulating and protective moisturizer when using any sort of heated drying or styling treatments."
http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curl-products/curlchemist-the-goods-on-glycerin This is a great article
so what are the best protectants
Yeah, I think the same too about coconut oil. It's my staple oil but never thought to use it with heat. I don't think flat irons get hot enough to fry chicken in grease though so I don't think the coconut oil gets heated enough to fry the hair(could be wrong though). Some ladies have used it and got great results with no damaged hair. I'm just wanting to look more before I take the heat plunge. Looks like we're just screwed unless we use synthetic stuff. I guess for one application it shouldn't kill my hair, as long as I wash it out which defeats the purpose to me. If I straighten and go through all of that time doing it, I want it to last. I just don't want build up...
Polyquaternium-11 is a polymer just like silicone (cones). It works the exact same way by creating a film like barrier on the hair.Elasta QP Silk is the only product I have been able to find that says it is a heat protectant and does not have cones.
Ingredients:
Water, Polyquaternium-11, PVP, Steartrimonium Hydrolyzed Collagen Protein, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Polysorbate-20, Citric Acid, DMDM Hydantoin, Imidazolindinyl Urea, Fragrance
Here is more info about heat damage and preventing it (If you like using heat than I wouldn't read them cause their pretty scary ):
Good question.
I might have to blowdry my hair in a couple of days. If I get good results with castor oil and coconut oil I'll check back and let you know.