Before we get into that, i'll briefly explain how heat tools work to get our hair straight and what they do to our hair. This would help understand better how to actually have healthy heat use.
When we use heat tools on our hair (relaxed or natural), they break down the bonds in the hair to give you hair that blown out or straight look. Heat tools also pull out the moisture in our hair and that's why you find that some times after blow drying or straightening, your hair may feel very dry.
So how can you actually use heat in a healthy way?
1. Before you decide to use heat on your hair, always assess if your hair is in a good enough condition i.e. if you have been facing serious breakage, the last thing your hair needs is to be straightened.
2. Always cleanse your hair with a shampoo before using heat tools like straighteners or blow dryers. Using heat on dirty hair with build up from sweat, gel and other styling products can lead to damage of your hair cuticles.
3. Before you use heat, make sure to deep condition with a product rich in moisture and protein. When heat is used, it evaporates the moisture already existing in the hair and the less moisture and hydration in your hair, the quicker your hair heats up and the quicker it is to get damaged. So, you want to make sure the moisture content is on point and protein level is right!
4. Always use a silicone based heat protectant. Silicones are so key in helping slow down heat transfer to your hair and therefore reduce the chances of hair damage. Please an oil is not a heat protectant. Your hair will fry!
5. Use good quality hair straighteners where the plates are made from ceramic. Ceramic hair straighteners are definitely more expensive than the regular lower end irons but they are better quality. They will heat up properly across the plate, they straighten better and reduce the need to go over the hair multiple times. They are also less likely to peel and crack across the plate which can cause damage from snagging on your hair.
6. Use heat tools that actually have temperature settings i.e. 180 degrees rather than low or high settings. This way you know how much heat is going on your hair. Just a FYI- hair burns at about 233 degrees. Depending on how damaged your hair is, it may even be lower.
7. Use a hooded dryer instead of a blow dryer. The heat is more evenly spread out which leaves your hair bouncier and more moisturised than when you use a blow dryer. If you absolutely have to use a blow dryer, use it on a cool setting.
8. Find a heat schedule that works for you! Let's stop the daily straightening and blow drying. You should be using heat at the very most once a week but you should still watch and listen to your hair. Some people's hair can handle a lot of heat while other's can't
9. Try not to blow dry and then straighten your hair. Instead air dry your hair first then go in with a straightener.
10. Lastly, when straightening or blow drying, do not go over your hair too many times to prevent excess heat and damage. | 
