10 Best Heat Protectants for Dry & Damaged Fine Hair

As much as we don't like to admit it, pretty much anything we do to our hair ends up irreversibly damaging it. Whether that's coloring, drying, curling, straightening, or even brushing it, we wake up one day and notice the split ends, and by then, it's too late. So what can you do to prevent hair damage?

Stop worrying; you won't have to throw away your heat tools and become a hair styling minimalist. You can keep your favorite curling iron.

The secret is getting into the habit of using heat protection sprays. Some of the best ones not only create a heat protectant shield, but they also leave your hair soft, contribute to healthy hair growth, and even have UV protection. Think of it as an extra layer that creates a protective barrier between your hair cuticle and the hot tool, similar to how sun lotion protects our skin from the nasty sun rays.

By the time we're done, you will have found the best heat protectant for your hair type and budget, and I bet you'll be dying to style your hair as soon as possible – the healthy way!

So, where can you start shopping, and how can you use a heat protectant on your hair the healthy way? Find all your answers in the sections below.

Contents

Why You Need a Heat Protectant for Your Hair
How to Use a Heat Protectant for Hair?
Top 10 Heat Protectants for Fine Hair
Hold up a minute…
Best Selling Heat Protectants for Fine Hair

Why You Need a Heat Protectant for Your Hair

A heat protectant is a must-have tool if you enjoy styling your hair, even more so if you're one with fine hair. Now, you may be thinking, “I use conditioner. Do I need a heat protectant spray too?” The answer is yes.

They are entirely different things. While a conditioner will keep your hair moist for a couple of days, it's not the right tool to give your hair the protection it needs from intense heat exposure. A heat protectant preps your hair for the stress of heat damage.

Hot tools create an enormous amount of heat, with temperatures typically ranging between 385° F and 410° F, whether you have thin or thick hair. What happens inside a single hair strand when it's subject to heat is simple: all moisture inside the hair strand (the moisture that keeps your hair shiny, glossy, and healthy) evaporates, along with your hair's natural oils. As a result, the hair cuticles (the outermost layer of the hair) break apart too – the result is what we see in the mirror – dull hair with split ends and frizz. This entire process is harmful to virgin hair (non-colored hair) and even worse if you have color-treated hair.

That's why most professionals will use heat protectants in the form of cream, spray or oils, to create an invisible protective barrier before they use any tools or treatments on your hair.

Most heat protectors will have one or more of the following ingredients:

Humectants: This controls frizz and keeps the moisture inside your hair strand.
Amino acids: These nourish and strengthen your hair strands, so they're ready to guard your hair against heat damage.
Herbal extracts and essential oils: These seal your hair cuticles, all while creating a smooth hair texture.

It's best to avoid hair sprays containing silicones, sulfates, parabens, and water-based polymers. Those ingredients can leave residue on your thermal styling tools and contribute to hair damage in the future – since it will amp up the temperature, even more, think of it as oil in a frying pan.

Now that we have convinced you to use a heat protection spray let's go through the necessary steps to apply it correctly.

How to Use a Heat Protectant for Hair?

Using a heat protectant is not complicated at all. First, you must remember to use it before applying any heat to your hair, which includes blow-drying. It's best to wait for your hair to dry naturally. This is called air-drying. Remember that hair is susceptible when it's wet, so avoid pulling, combing, or brushing before it's at least 80% dry.

Follow the steps below when you use heat protectant spray:

Step 1: Start by detangling your hair. Be as gentle as you can. It would help to only use your fingers and not apply any force while you're at it.

Step 2: Divide your hair into sections. 2-inch sections are the easiest to work with.

Step 3: Spray each section of hair on both sides, and don't use your heat protectant sparingly! After all, the idea is to coat your hair in it.

Step 4: Start gently combing your hair, so you can evenly distribute the product across your hair.

What if you are using a heat protectant on dry hair?

Make sure to keep some distance between your hair and the spray. Spraying about 30 cm (a foot) away should help create an even coating without drenching your hair in the product.

If you're using heat protectants like oil or cream, you can apply it to the palm of your hand and cup your hand around the hair sections.

Then, repeat steps 1-4 from the guide above, and you're done.

Remember to look at any instructions that might come with your heat protectant. There are tons of products that may need specific methods of application. For example, some might need to be left in your hair for a few minutes before applying heat – so read the fine print to ensure you use your heat protectant to its full protective potential.

Top 10 Heat Protectants for Fine Hair

Now that we've got some vital information out of the way, we can finally start looking at the best heat protectants for fine hair. Follow the guide below to find the perfect heat treatment for your individual needs!

1. Our Top Pick – Olaplex No 7 Leave-In Repair Bonding Oil

A highly-concentrated, weightless reparative styling oil. Dramatically increase shine, softness, and color vibrancy. Minimizes fly-aways and frizz. Provides heat protection of up to 450F. Repairs damaged and compromised hair Strengthens and protects hair structure Restores healthy appearance and texture Improved luster, shine, and manageability Suitable and beneficial to all hair types. – Paraben-Free – Sulfate-Free – Phthalate-Free – Cruelty-Free – Vegan

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Ask any top-rated professional stylist, and they'll tell you Olaplex is always a good idea. This is a professional brand that will do wonders for your hair. Is it pricey? Yes, but it's also arguably the most effective and respected product on the market.

It's recommended for all hair types, not only fine and damaged hair. It's ultra-lightweight and won't leave residue on your thermal styling tools. No wonder, so many professionals use it in their salons! The Olaplex No 7 works by repairing the broken protein bonds in your hair, leaving your hair smooth, shiny, and protected.

2. Best Value For Money – Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Heat Styling Hairspray

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Heat Styling Spray is a lightweight heat protectant spray that delivers touchable, soft smoothness that lasts up to 48 hours without the use of silicones. Powered by the patented Healthy Hair Molecule (OFPMA), the new solution for smoothness that protects from heat without weighing hair down, or making it stiff or sticky. This versatile formula can be used on damp or dry hair before blowdrying, flat-ironing or curling. Free of silicones, phthalates and parabens. Cruelty-free.

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Living Proof is a go-to choice if you're lost in the world of heat protectants. It's great on dry and wet hair, and unlike Olaplex, its spray container is easy to use. Living Proof will add a mirror-like shine to your hair, no matter what method you choose to use. It's lightweight, provides UV protection, and it's beneficial if you're applying it pre-straightening. The Living Proof Perfect Hair Day heat styling hairspray will help keep your hair in the right shape while protecting it!

3. Best Heat Protectant for Tangled Hair – Lait Luminescence Bi-Phase Detangling Milk Hairspray By Leonor Greyl

This milk spray nourishes and conditions as it tames and smooths unruly locks. It increases shine without weighing hair down. This lightweight formula is silicone and coal tar-free.

Specifications
Size: 5.2 oz | Assembled Product Weight: 0.7 lb | Brand: Leonor Greyl | Gender: Unisex | Assembled Product Dimensions: 3.00 x 3.00 x 0.45 Inches

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The Lait Luminescence Bi-Phase Detangling milk acts as a 3 in 1 formula: it conditions, protects, and detangles. This is a botanically-based hairspray, which smells like acacia blossoms and is infused with moringa proteins, mongongo oil, and Karanja oil, so you're left with glossy, perfumed locks. This is a great one to use before swimming to protect your hair from chlorine or salt, but you'll primarily use it before curling/straightening.

4. Best Heat Protectant for Everyday Use – Morrocanoil Perfect Defense Thermal Protection Spray

Infused with Argan Oil
Thermal Protector
Weightless Formula

Last update on 2024-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

An extremely popular heat protectant is the Morrocanoil Perfect Defense. It's rich in argan oil, full of antioxidants and vitamins that do wonders to feed and protect your hair and scalp. As a result, you can protect your hair against thermal damage, all while adding shine and softness to your mane! Its signature amber musky scent is one to leave an impression, too!

5. Best Heat Protectant For Fine and Frizzy Hair – Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection and Heat Protectant Crème

SMOOTH AND PROTECT — A silicone-free heat protectant cream that minimizes frizz, smooths hair, and protects against heat up to 450 °F.
FRIZZ-FIGHTING FORMULA — This styling cream helps seal the hair cuticle to lock in hydration and lock out humidity for smooth, frizz-free hair. Our...
WORKS BEST FOR — All hair types and textures concerned with dryness and frizz.

Last update on 2024-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Outstanding thermal protection for delicate and frizzy hair. Say goodbye to frizz and hair breakage with this heat protectant crème. Use it on damp hair, but don't turn on your blow dryer just yet. Instead, get into the habit of towel drying your locks. This will maintain your hair's natural strength and boost it when using this crème. The Briogeo Farewell Frizz uses coconut, rosehip, and argan oils mixed with some algae extract to give your hair the protection it deserves and the frizz it can do without!

6. Best Heat Protectant for Fine and Color Treated Hair- Color Wow Dream Coat

Advanced anti-frizz formula leaves hair super glossy, glassy, ultra smooth
Groundbreaking humidity-blocking technology stops moisture from wrecking your style
Economical. Results last through 3-4 shampoos

Last update on 2024-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Are you looking to get the supermodel treatment of your dreams? You only need one product – Color WOW Dream Coat heat spray. This supernatural hair spray is a mix of only good-for-you ingredients, and it's perfect for hair that is easily affected by humidity. You can use it on wigs and hair extensions, and it gives coarse, dry, and dehydrated hair intense protection. The heat protectant spray has won multiple awards, including “2020 InStyle Best Beauty Buys”, “2020 Allure The Beauty Expert Best of Beauty Award”, and “O, The Oprah Magazine Fall Beauty O-Wards in 2017.”

7. Best Heat Protectant Spray for Multi-Tasking – Peter Coppola Keratin Concept Just Blow – Blow Dry Spray

INSTANT HEAT PROTECTANT SPRAY FOR HAIR- Simply spray in before you blow dry to protect your color and hair health from the heat of your morning blow...
REDUCE BLOW DRY TIME - Reduce the amount of time it takes to blow dry hair up to 50% with Peter Coppola’s Just Blow. Spray into damp hair and comb...
SMOOTHES AND STRAIGHTENS HAIR- This anti frizz anti humidity formula assists in relaxing and making hair much easier to smooth and straighten with...

Last update on 2024-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

If you need a heat protectant spray to use pre-blow drying but also want a thermal-protection formula that won't affect the intensity of your hair color. This is the heat protection of your dreams. So say goodbye to dry hair – you can finally put up an “All Heat Tools Welcome Sign.” The Peter Coppola Blow Dry Spray uses a keratin-activated enhancing formula that fights frizz and protects your hair.

8. Best Heat Protectant for an Irritated Scalp – R-Co One Prep Spray

This is a nourishing base cost that helps other styling products adhere evenly.
Helps detangle or light condition ones hair.
Natural ingreditens that help strengthen onces hair.
Easily absorbed into hair.
This product helps sooth the scalp and restore hairs elasticity.

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Recommended for dandruff-prone hair and an irritated scalp, this R-Co One prep spray uses cucumber extract to give your scalp the relief it needs. So you can keep calm and carry on using this heat-protecting spray even if you have a sensitive scalp. Expect an increase in your hair elasticity, too – an added benefit for people with fine hair. It's also vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian, cruelty-free. You'd be proud to own it!

9. Best Hair Protectant for Lasting Results – L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT Blow Out Heatspray

Lasting Volume
Full, Touchable Volume That Lasts
For All Heat Tools

Last update on 2024-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

We can't talk about the best hair protectant for fine hair without mentioning a L'Oréal Paris product. It provides intense protection from a long list of heat styling tools, primarily because you can apply heat up to 450°F once it is sprayed on. It does wonder on damaged hair and prevents further hair breakage. Keep it close to your flat iron, so you don't forget to use this long-lasting hair spray protectant.

10. Best Heat Protectant Against Damage and Breakage – HSI PROFESSIONAL Argan Oil Heat Protector

EXTREME HAIR PROTECTANT: Protect hair from heat exposure up to 450º F. HSI’s argan oil hair heat protectant is a weightless mist to be used before...
LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER: This light thermal protection spray can be also used as a leave in conditioning serum. Get smooth, hydrated, frizz-free hair...
PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA: Ensuring you get a premium quality high grade hair oil Infused with highly concentrated antioxidant-rich argan oil and...

Last update on 2024-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Are you looking for salon-level thermal protection at a reasonable price? Do you want your coarse hair to turn silky with a minimal amount of effort? HSI, baby. Full of antioxidant argan oil, this HSI Professional heat protector hydrates, detangles and protects hair strands while adding nourishment to your tresses. Many customers fall in love with this heat protectant and usually stick with it long-term.

a blonde woman with healthy straight fine hair

Hold up a minute…

Now that you have discovered the secret to hair health and said goodbye to dry hair and split ends, why don't we talk about what heat styling tools you should consider investing in?

You can make sure to give your hair the protection it needs by selecting the right kind of styling tool. Here are the best flat irons for damaged hair!

If you're one with thick hair, and you have tried tons of hair straighteners and are still unhappy with the results, allow us to recommend you the best hair straighteners for thick hair!

In case you're not sure you're using your hot tools correctly, check out our guide on how to use a curling iron and how to use a curling wand. There you will find the best tips and tricks you need to start using today!

I hope you have found this article useful! We'd love to hear your feedback! What type of heat protection do you use?

Best Selling Heat Protectants for Fine Hair

#	Product	Price
1	CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray, Nourishing Formula Helps Resist Heat...	$16.05	Buy on Amazon
2	Kenra Platinum Blow-Dry Mist \| Ultra-Lightweight Thermal Protectant \| Detangles,...	$28.00	Buy on Amazon
3	L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Sleek It Iron Straight Heat Spray, 5.7 Ounce	$6.97	Buy on Amazon
4	amika blockade heat defense serum , 1.69 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)	$28.00	Buy on Amazon
5	Nexxus Heat Defense Spray Prep & Protect for 450 degree heat protection, with...	$15.99 $15.18	Buy on Amazon