7 Signs of Heat Damaged Hair (Quick Prevention Tips)

I’ve always been worried about heat damage. Am I exposing my hair to it too much? Am I causing permanent damage? I did some research to see how to tell if my hair has heat damage.

There are several signs of heat damaged hair, and these include dryness, frizziness, split ends, and your hair struggling to hold color when you dye it. All of these suggest your hair needs some love.

In this guide, I’m here to take you through everything you need to look out for if you’re worried your hair might have heat damage and how to maintain healthy hair.

CHECK: What Causes Hair Damage?

Key Takeaways:

  • If you’re concerned that your hair may have been damaged by too much heat styling, read this article for tips on restoring its health.
  • Damage from heat can include dryness, frizziness, split ends, and color changes.
  • You can restore the health of your heat-damaged hair with a few simple steps.

7 Signs of Heat Damaged Hair

If you want to know the most COMMON signs of heat damaged hair, I have the big ones listed below. This should help you determine if your hair has been DAMAGED so that you can seek treatment to restore its luster.

1. Your Hair Has Lost its Bounce

Do you remember when your hair was springy and full of LIFE? If heat damage has occurred, your hair will likely be limp, greasy, and flat.

This is because heat damage DRIES out the hair follicle, which in turn makes your hair look and feel greasy.

When hair is HEAT damaged, it also impacts the hair cuticle. It works its way throughout the strand and can cause serious damage to the hair proteins.

2. Your Hair Feels Dry and Rough

One of the most common signs of heat damage hair is when your once silky and soft hair starts to feel dry, BRITTLE, and rough. This is because heat damage strips the natural oils from your hair, leaving it feeling dry and vulnerable.

women with dry hair that is one of the signs of heat damaged hair

Pro Tip: Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioning treatment to help hydrate your hair and replenish some of the moisture lost to damage.

3. Your Hair is Frizzy and Has Split Ends

If your hair is frizzy, has split ends, or is generally unruly, it’s likely that heat damage is to blame. This is because heat damage causes the hair shaft to SWELL, which in turn makes your hair more likely to frizz and break.

women with frizzy hair that is one of the signs of heat damaged hair

Pro Tip: Try to avoid using your blow dryer too much, as it can damage the hair. Adding deep conditioning treatments to your hair care routine can HELP to fix heat-damaged hair.

4. Your Hair Has Lost its Elasticity

If your hair has lost its elasticity, it’s a sign that heat DAMAGE has occurred. This is because heat damage weakens the hair shaft, making it more likely to break.

This can happen when you use a curling iron too much, as the heat damages each hair strand. A coconut oil hair mask can help to RESTORE it a little.

5. Your Hair Has Lost its Shine

Heat damage is probably the culprit if your hair used to be SHINY and healthy-looking but now looks dull, limp, and kind of sad. This is because heat damage dries out the hair, leaving it looking DULL and lifeless.

women's hair lost shining and that is one of the signs of heat damaged hair

Pro Tip: Protein treatments can help protect hair follicles and build a strong protection system for your hair.

6. You’re Shedding More Than Usual

If you’re shedding MORE hair than usual, it could be a sign of heat damage. This is because heat damage weakens the hair follicle, making it more likely to break.

7. Your Hair isn’t Holding Color

If you’ve noticed that your hair color isn’t holding as well as it used to, heat damage could be to blame. This is because heat damage damages the HAIR SHAFT, making it more difficult for color to penetrate.

The above signs are enough to know if your hair are heat damaged but you may also find out the difference between heat damaged hair vs healthy hair to be aware of your hair’s status.

How Long Does it Take Heat-Damaged Hair to Recover?

The good news is that heat damage is REVERSIBLE, and your hair will eventually recover with the right treatment.

However, patience is essential as heat damage can’t be fixed overnight. Heat-damaged hair can take weeks or even months to recover, so be patient and give your hair the time it needs to heal.

What are Some Quick Tips for Preventing Heat Damage to Hair?

There are several things you can do to PREVENT your hair from being damaged by heat [1]. Some of my top tips include:

  • Use a heat protectant before using any heat styling tools, even if it’s are the least damaging heat tools.
  • Let your hair cool down before brushing it or running your fingers through it.
  • Avoid using heat styling tools (any hot tools) on wet hair.
  • Don’t use heat styling tools more than once a day.
  • Use a lower heat setting when possible.

READ MORE: Best Hair Straightener for Dry Damaged Hair

FAQs

Can Heat Permanently Damage Hair?

No, heat damage is not permanent. With the right treatment, your hair will eventually recover. However, patience is essential as heat damage can’t be fixed overnight.

How Much Heat Is Safe For Your Hair?

pretty lady showing her techniques on how to blow dry thin hair for volume

The amount of heat that is safe for your hair depends on your hair type. If you have fine or damaged hair, it’s best to use lower heat settings and avoid using heat styling tools more than once a day.

Conclusion

Heat damage is a common problem that can be caused by using heat styling tools too OFTEN or too high of a heat setting. If you’re concerned that heat damage has occurred, be sure to look for signs such as DRYNESS, frizziness, split ends, and color changes.

Heat damage is reversible, but it can take weeks or even MONTHS for your hair to recover. In the meantime, be sure to use a HEAT protectant and avoid using heat-styling tools on wet hair more than once a day.

I hope this guide has been able to help educate you on the signs so that you can take the best possible care of your hair.

women with frizzy hair that is one of the signs of heat damaged hair

So, do you have any of the above signs in your hair? Let us know in the comments section, so we can help you recover them!

Sources:

  • 1. Hahn J. How Heat Affects Human Hair: Thermal Characterization and Predictive Modeling of Flat Ironing Results. Theses and Dissertations Available from ProQuest [Internet]. 2018;1–160. Available from: https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/dissertations/AAI10808169/