Are you tired of damaging your hair every time you straighten it?
Do you want to achieve a sleek, straight look without sacrificing the health of your locks?
Look no further than Argan oil.
This versatile oil has been touted as a miracle ingredient for hair care, but is it safe to use before straightening?
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of using Argan oil before straightening your hair and provide tips on how to incorporate it into your hair care routine.
Say goodbye to fried, frizzy hair and hello to lustrous, silky locks with the help of Argan oil.
Is Argan Oil Good To Use Before Straightening Hair?
The answer is yes, Argan oil is good to use before straightening hair.
Argan oil is a natural oil that is extracted from the kernels of the Argan tree, which is native to Morocco. It is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can help nourish and protect your hair from damage caused by heat styling tools like flat irons.
When applied to damp hair before straightening, Argan oil can help to seal the cuticle and deliver much-needed moisture to your locks. This can result in a smoother, shinier finish that lasts longer than if you were to straighten your hair without any product.
However, it’s important to note that Argan oil should not be used as a standalone heat protectant. While it can provide some protection against heat damage, it’s best to use it in addition to a regular heat protectant for maximum protection.
What Is Argan Oil And How Does It Benefit Hair?
Argan oil is a rich source of nutrients such as antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamin E that can nourish and protect your hair from damage. These nutrients work by penetrating the hair shaft to provide deep hydration and nourishment to your strands, making them stronger and less prone to breakage.
Moreover, Argan oil has a high smoke or burning point, which means that it can withstand high temperatures without breaking down or producing harmful chemicals. This makes it an ideal heat protectant for use before straightening your hair with a flat iron.
Argan oil can also make styling easier by adding moisture back into the hair strands and making hair more manageable. It can prevent split ends and hair breakage, leaving your hair with a smoother and shinier finish. Additionally, it can be used as a relieving scalp treatment to reduce inflammation that leads to dandruff, itchiness, and other scalp issues.
How Does Straightening Damage Hair?
Straightening hair can cause damage to the hair strands in various ways. The high heat used in the straightening process can cause the moisture in the hair strands to boil and blister the hair’s cuticle. This leads to damaged hair after straightening, which shows as breakage and split ends. Additionally, the wrong technique and chemical agents used in the process can also cause damage to the hair.
The heat from hair straighteners weakens the hydrogen bonds of your hair, which are responsible for your natural curls or waves. When these bonds are weakened due to heat damage, your hair takes on the shape provided by the straightener. However, when your hair gets too hot, the proteins in the hair shaft can become denatured, affecting its structure. Even mild, indirect heat, like that from a blow dryer, can cause damaged hair when it’s sustained for long enough.
Repeated straightening causes a breakdown in the cuticle of the hair. The ‘slates’ start to lift and the rough, uneven surface exposes the cortex, allowing the fibers to unravel. This starts as split ends but can reach all the way up the hair, causing it to break off.
Chemical straightening treatments can also cause damage to your hair. The chemical solution used in these treatments works by damaging your hair so that it lies flat or releases its natural curl. Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, is often present in most straightening solutions and can pose a health hazard for consumers.
Regular use of heat styling tools like flat irons can make your hair lose moisture permanently, making it more prone to damage. The aim of a hair straightener is to get rid of all the water in your locks. When you use a lot of heat products on your hair, it deprives your hair of its natural oils, leading to permanent damage.
Can Argan Oil Protect Hair From Heat Damage?
Yes, Argan oil can protect hair from heat damage to some extent. It contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well as vitamin E, which are all nourishing and protective for hair. While it may not provide the same level of protection as some other oils like avocado oil, it can still be an important ingredient in a heat protectant for hair.
When combined with other oils, such as avocado oil, Argan oil can help to penetrate the hair strands, moisturize, and prevent dryness and cuticle damage caused by heat styling. It also contains natural fatty acids that can support hair follicle health and prevent your scalp and hair from drying out, which is important since dry hair is more easily damaged when exposed to heat.
It’s worth noting that essential oils with low smoke points should never be applied directly to your tresses for heat protection. This is why using a safe alternative like our No Remorse Argan oil heat protectant spray is recommended.
How To Use Argan Oil Before Straightening Your Hair
If you’re interested in using Argan oil before straightening your hair, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the best results:
1. Start with clean hair: Before applying any product, make sure to clean your hair thoroughly using a smoothing or moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. This will help remove dirt and traces of old products while providing much-needed moisture to your hair.
2. Apply Argan oil: Once your hair is damp, apply a small amount of Argan oil to your palms and work it through your hair from mid-lengths to ends. Avoid applying it to your roots as this can make your hair greasy.
3. Divide your hair into sections: Instead of grabbing random clumps of hair, divide your hair into sections that are one to two inches thick. This will help you straighten your hair more easily and with fewer passes.
4. Use a flat iron: Hold the upper layer of hair using a clip and start working on the sections in the lower layer. Using a fluid and steady motion, glide the straightening iron from the roots to the ends. Iron one section at a time and place the straightener as close to the roots as possible.
5. Apply serum: Once you’re done straightening your hair, work a hair serum through your hair to add shine and tame any errant flyaways.
By following these steps, you can achieve smooth, shiny, and healthy-looking straight hair with the help of Argan oil.
Other Benefits Of Using Argan Oil For Hair Care
Apart from protecting your hair from heat damage, Argan oil has several other benefits for hair care. The oil is rich in nutrients like vitamin E and antioxidants that help to nourish and protect your hair.
One of the most significant benefits of Argan oil is its ability to improve hair elasticity. The essential fatty acids in the oil, such as oleic acid and linoleic acid, help to maintain the shine, feel, manageability, and strength of your locks. This can result in healthier-looking hair that is less prone to breakage and split ends.
Argan oil can also help to moisturize and soften your hair, making it more manageable and easier to style. The smaller molecule size of Argan oil allows it to be absorbed more easily into your hair than other oils, providing deep hydration without leaving a greasy residue.
If you suffer from a dry or itchy scalp, Argan oil may also be able to help. The anti-inflammatory properties of the oil can soothe and calm your scalp, while its antibacterial and antifungal effects can help to keep it healthy and free from irritation.
Finally, Argan oil can also help to repair damage caused by coloring treatments or perms. One study showed that a conditioning treatment with Argan oil applied after a bleaching process helped reduce the damage caused by bleach.
Precautions To Take When Using Argan Oil Before Straightening Hair
While Argan oil is a great addition to your hair care routine, there are some precautions you should take when using it before straightening your hair.
Firstly, it’s important to use the right amount of Argan oil. Using too much can make your hair look greasy and weigh it down, which can be counterproductive when trying to achieve a sleek, straight look. A few drops of Argan oil should be enough for most hair types.
Secondly, be careful not to apply Argan oil to your hair roots. This can make your scalp oily and lead to buildup over time. Instead, focus on applying the oil to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair where it is most needed.
Thirdly, make sure to wait until your hair is at least 80% dry before applying Argan oil. If you apply it to wet hair, it may not distribute evenly and could cause your hair to look greasy or clump together.
Lastly, do not use Argan oil as a substitute for a heat protectant. While it can provide some protection against heat damage, it’s not enough on its own. Make sure to use a high-quality heat protectant in addition to Argan oil before straightening your hair.
By following these precautions, you can safely and effectively use Argan oil before straightening your hair for a sleek and shiny finish.
