Heat Damage in Curly Hair

Straightening irons and rods can damage your hair beyond repair. If you have finally decided to embrace your curly hair (or even for those who haven’t), this article will throw light on how heat damage affects your curly hair. And how to finally ditch them for good!

Signs of heat damaged hair

The ends of your hair are looser than your normal curl pattern or have become stick straight
Your hair looks dead
Your hair is frizzy, dry and straw like
Split ends

“High or prolonged heat can physically and irreversibly change the natural structure of protein . Hair is made up of a protein called keratin. Keratin in hair has a natural twist in it called an alpha helix. This twist is present in all hair straight or curly. If you heat keratin to around 215-235°C ( 419-455F) the alpha helix starts to melt. This is a a physical change and it is irreversible, your hair will retain the shape of the melted keratin at a molecular level. Your hair shows you this molecular damage by not getting back into its natural curl or wave and staying straighter” – Can your hair recover from heat damage? – THE NATURAL HAVEN

“But I only straightened my hair once!” – You only have to burn something once in order for it to be burnt. (Also read 4 reasons straightening regularly is bad for your hair)
“But I used a heat protectant” – Heat protectants reduce heat damage, they don’t completely prevent damage.

Heat damage is irreversible. The only way to get rid of those damaged pieces is to let them grow out and cut them off. Sure you can do deep conditioning and protein treatments to strengthen the weak strands but that will not restore your curl pattern. Stop the vicious cycle – throw away your irons for good! Be patient – it will pay off once you see how beautiful your hair can look!!

Getting rid of heat damaged hair is more or less the same as transitioning from relaxed to natural hair. So read this – How to transition from chemically straightened hair to your natural curly hair

Read about Sarai’s transition from heat damaged hair – Reader Testimonial – Sarai Soto

Read about Gabrielle’s transition from heat damaged hair – Reader Testimonial – Gabrielle Stolar

It’s never too late to start 🙂

Blog Comments

July 10, 2018 at 8:24 am

Hey! So I have wavy, medium length hair that used to be very wavy, but now that it’s longer it’s not as wavy. I use sulfate free shampoo and conditioner and a water based leave in conditioners. I do weekly overnight coconut oil masks, too. After my shower, I’ll use leave in conditioner and plop. Then I’ll air dry. I have split ends and will be getting a trim soon that will get rid of the split ends. I’m confused as to if heat damage weighed down my bouncy waves or just my length. Also, my hair looks nice after drying on wash day, but my waves fall out when I sleep. I’m confused as to what’s the problem and was hoping you could help!!

Anjana

July 11, 2018 at 2:44 pm

Both damage and length can. It’s best to get a cut.

Bhani

August 2, 2018 at 8:32 pm

I have just started following your curly hair routine but i have few doubts . . i have damaged and frizzy hair so can i tie my hair in a bun or ponytail while following the routine . . and how long does it take to transform the hair??

August 3, 2018 at 1:14 pm

Yes you can. Depends on many things – extent of damage, how well you are implementing the routine

Maisie

June 10, 2019 at 9:04 pm

Hi Anjana,
When I was younger I had lovely curls (3a), but now around 3 years later my hair is only wavy (2a/2b).I am wondering if it could be because of wearing a ponytail everyday? For around a year and a half I wore my hair in a ponytail everyday, as my hair was long and I didn’t know how to cope with it or care for my curls. The ponytails weren’t extremely tight but they were not loose either. I also even slept with the ponytail and would only let my hair down in the when washing or when redoing the ponytail. Could this be the reason for a loss of curls? I cut my hair short over a year ago (it is now chin length) and go for regular trims yet my hair still seems to be more wavy than curly. I miss my curls so much and wondered if I could ever get them back by simply having a healthy hair routine?

June 11, 2019 at 1:53 pm

Hi Maisie, Check this https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/6-reasons-your-curls-have-become-looser-and-how-to-fix-it/

p.jhansi

August 7, 2020 at 5:29 pm

mam can u suggest which shampoo we can use for curly hair

August 7, 2020 at 11:02 pm

https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/beginner-friendly-simple-curly-hair-starter-kit/

Mayusruti Sarkar

August 18, 2020 at 10:42 pm

before 2months ago i did my straightened..after straightning my hair look like very worst…my hairline almost gone..can you suggest me how i recover this hairline? and how i remove this straighting look

August 19, 2020 at 3:56 pm

https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/how-to-transition-from-chemically-straightened-hair-to-your-natural-curly-hair/