Do Heat Protectants Really Work on Curly Hair?

Heat styling is a bit of a strict no-no for Curly Hair. And while we’re all about embracing your natural texture, sometimes you just want to switch things up. We get it! 

Maybe it’s a sleek blow-dry for an event, a diffuser moment for max volume, or a cheeky low-temp refresh with a straightener. No judgement here—we’re pro-choice when it comes to curls.

But what we’re not into? Fried ends. Crunchy curls. That kind of damage lingers way longer than your style.

So where do heat protectants come in—and do they actually do anything? Let’s get into it.

What Does A Heat Protectant Do?

In a nutshell, heat protectants are like sunscreen for your strands. They create a lightweight barrier between your hair and hot tools, usually in the form of a spray, cream, or serum. Their job? To slow down how fast the heat penetrates your hair, so you get less moisture loss, fewer snapped strands, and way less frizz.

Sounds great, right? And yes—they do help.
But they’re not miracle workers.

A heat protectant is part of the plan, not the whole plan. Healthy, hydrated curls will always handle heat better—and that starts way before you plug in your diffuser.

Before You Style: Prep is Everything

Here’s the thing: If your hair is already dry, brittle, or stressed out, even the best heat protectant can only do so much.
So let’s rewind to what your hair actually needs before the heat hits.

Your pre-heat dream team:

LOHY. Hush Nourishing Oil
A few drops before blow-drying or diffusing = next-level softness and strength. (Just skip it right before flat ironing—oil + high heat is a no-go.)

LOHY. Nourish & Flourish Shampoo + Conditioner
A good wash day = the strongest start. Clean, conditioned curls are more resilient and respond better to styling.

LOHY. Drench & Quench Hydrating Hair Mask
Think of it like your hair’s weekly protein shake. It feeds your strands with moisture and helps them bounce back stronger after any styling stress.

So… Do Heat Protectants Actually Work?

Short answer? Yes.
Long answer? Yes—but only if you’re using them right.

Heat protectants help reduce how much damage heat causes, especially to the cuticle. They smooth, add slip, and help hold onto moisture. But they’re not a get-out-of-jail-free card.

Here’s when they don’t work so well:

• You’re cranking the temp to max (spoiler: you don’t need 230°C)
  
  

• You’re applying heat to dry, un-prepped hair
  
  

• You’re skipping the recovery stage after styling
  
  

So yes, they work—but they work best when they’re part of a bigger picture.

Aftercare: The Part Most Curlies Forget

You worked hard to style your curls—now it’s time to help them bounce back.

Post-heat recovery = essential:

✨ Hydrate again – Drench & Quench to the rescue. Use it post-styling to restore moisture and elasticity.

👐 Hush Oil – Massage a few drops into your ends to seal in shine and soften up any heat-weary spots.

🛏️ Sleep smart – Protect your hair while you snooze with a LOHY. Sleep Cozy or scrunchie pineapple to cut down friction and tangles.

And if your curls feel a little ‘meh’ a few days later? Hit them with a clarifying wash and a moisture-rich Hair mask to reset and restore.

What If I Don’t Want to Use Heat At All?

Love that for you!
Going heat-free is one of the easiest ways to maintain long-term curl health. That said, if you do reach for heat every now and then, diffusing on low with proper prep and protection is a great middle ground.

LOHY.’s Final Word

Heat protectants work on all types of hair—but they’re just one piece of the curl-care puzzle. Think of your routine like this:

Before heat – Cleanse, hydrate, and prep
During heat – Keep temps low to medium, and don’t rush
After heat – Nourish, replenish, and protect

LOHY. might not make a heat protectant, but everything we do create is designed to help you build a strong, healthy curl foundation—so when you decide to style, your curls are ready.

Need help building a curl routine that can handle heat?
Slide into our DMs or pop into the LOHY. Curl Friends Facebook Group—we’re always here for a curl chat. 💛

Love & Hydration xx