Wishing you all health and happiness this new year. But hold up, shouldn’t your hair reflect all the health and happiness, and you flip your hair into 2023?
We are looking at a year filled with more efforts to keep your hair healthy and perfectly styled throughout the year. This includes bottles of serums, conditioners, hair mousse, hair gel, ironing, curling, and blow drying. Out of all the hair types, the ones that have it worse are the 4C, 4A, and 4B.
The curl queens witness excessive styling with a supplemental number of heat treatments. This results in an inevitable need for applying heat protectants every time there’s a styling requirement. The hair texture is mostly brittle, so you need to nourish them before you style. The beginning of the year witnesses your hair thriving in its full glory with the utmost shine and volume. But as we start approaching the 365 mark, the heartbreaking sight of our hair losing its beauty gradually shows.
Heat protectants stand out because they can be used on wigs, extensions, and your natural hair. Together, we’ll ensure that your curls remain undamaged, shining in their ultimate elegance, with or without the styling. Let’s walk you through getting the best heat protectant for 4c hair we’ve to offer before shoving those locks between the dreadful plates of the iron.
Contents
Best Heat Protectant for 4C Hair | Your Friendly Neighborhood Hair Guide
What To Know Before You Buy?
You need to take extra care of 4C hair that is always prone to damage and breakage. If your coily hair dampens and dries quickly, your hair may have high porosity. To know if your hair is highly porous, perform a few tests yourself. Especially with curly hair, the hair cuticles lift naturally at different points along the scalp, so you feel the porosity when you treat it with any chemicals. Try to condition your hair as much as possible to lessen it profoundly. Look for the ingredients such as glycerin and propylene glycol (to reduce cracks in the hair cuticles), Keratin (for hair strength and elasticity), silicone (to shield the hair from the heat of your tools), etc., in your heat protectant. I’m attaching a screenshot of this video’s discussion on the vital ingredients below. The protection level of the heat protectant should match the maximum temperature that your iron wand yields on the hair.
Note that the heat protectant can be in the form of a spray or serum. Use the serum when you seek a shiny, gloss-like finish to your hair texture, but go for the hair spray if your only purpose is to well-support your hair during hairstyling. There are DIY heat protectants, and one of them involves using coconut oil. If you have colored hair, then worry not about your hair color fading, as it won’t affect you. Lastly, apart from checking the product’s details, see if the product you buy comes with a guarantee.
How to Use?
To use the heat protectant aptly, follow these steps.
- Cleanse and condition your hair to receive a delicate application.
- Applying the heat protectant spray or serum before you blow dry, curl, or straighten your hair.
- The tail part of your hair receives the most heat, so apply the product well there.
- If you use serum, only 1-2 drops on the fingertips should caress the scalp (to prevent oiliness). For the spray, spritz 8-10 inches away from the hair, avoiding it on the scalp.
- Let the deposit dry and untie the knots (if any).
Now that you know the pre-buying particulars, let’s hop on to our first product.
CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray
Lightweight, Spray, Works best for blow drying requirements.
CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray could be your hair’s best friend if a quick blow-drying session is your usual styling go-to. You’ve CHI Silk Infusion and CHI Keratin Infusion, which are on top of the variety CHI offers. It is one of the best heat protectants for curly hair.
It nourishes your hair bulbs and acts as a thermal protectant inducing the positively charged silk molecules with your natural hair texture. This maintains your natural shine adding a voluminous texture.
Pros
- Lightweight formula
- It helps create both sleek and voluminous styles
- Paraben and Gluten Free
Cons
- Possibility of having residue covering hair strands.
Kenra Platinum Blow-dry Spray
Frizz-control, Detangles, Smoothens, Best suited for Blow Dry Requirements
One of the major roadblocks of 4C hair face is a frizzy appearance when there are frequent heat treatments. This makes the usage of heat protectants for frizz-prone hair non-negotiable. This would be a worthy recommendation for hair that needs smoothening, detangling, and nourishment to remain frizz-free.
Users prefer Kenra because it reduces the blow-dry time by almost half, detangling the hair alongside blow drying.
Pros
- Reduces blow drying time
- Travel size
- Lightweight
- Long-lasting
Cons
- It may leave an oily overlay
Cantu Shea Butter Thermal Shield Heat Protectant
Budget Friendly, Moisturizing, Easily Accessible, Recommended For Blowdry
Curly hair, especially 4C hair, requires a relatively high amount of hair care and styling products. Curly hair care products usually are highly priced compared to other hair types. If the budget is your concern and hair care is your priority, this is the steal deal you’re looking for.
Shea butter is crucial to hydrate and moisturize your hair while withstanding the heat from your styling equipment. The product promises to hydrate and smoothen your skin while holding out against as much as 425°C.
Pros
- Moisturizing
- Budget Friendly
- Offers light coverage
Cons
- Sticky residue remains
Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
Repairing agent, Shiny Finish, Recommended to serve Ironing requirements
Your hair goes through a torturous process of constant styling, resulting in many breakages, damage to the hair follicles, split ends, and strand damage. If your hair is amongst the damaged ones, this is for you.
The Bis-aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate is their key ingredient that works like magic on your curls prone to breakage. It acts like a bonding agent and cross-links the broken bonds to rebuild them. Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil protects your hair from thermal damage and repairs it from within.
Pros
- Light on the application
- Repairs the damage
- Adds a shine
Cons
- May add an oily texture
- It is slightly higher priced
ArtNaturals Thermal Hair Protector Spray
All Natural, Spray Serum, Leave-in Conditioner, Most compatible with Flat Irons
The ArtNaturals Thermal Hair Protector Spray is your hair’s personalized bodyguard for thermal safeguarding. ArtNaturals prides itself on using all organic ingredients for its products, and this heat protectant spray is no different.
The spray doubles as a leave-in conditioner with Argan Oil as its key ingredient that protects your hair against UV and sunlight. After switching to this, users have reported witnessing results in a few uses- their locks look shinier and are healthier to touch. However, the product can only be applied on wet or towel-dried hair, with about 5-7 minutes of absorption time provided.
Pros
- Sulphate-Free
- All Natural Ingredients
- It has a fantastic scent
Cons
- It cannot be used on dry hair
- May have a residue with each use
Mizani Thermastrength Heat Protectant Serum- Designed for 4C
Best For Blow Drying, Specifically targeted towards 4C hair, Anti Breakage, Value for Money
The Mizani Thermastrength Heat Protectant Serum is specifically designed to serve the curls and the different coil textures and lives up to its promise. This anti-breakage product strengthens your hair quality, nourishing the hair bulbs from within, making it the Best Heat Protectant for 4C Hair.
The addition of Shea Butter and botanicals in this groundbreaking formula is a cherry on the top adding shine and health to your locks, and they work their way through the constant exposure to heat. The product is lightweight and helps tame the hair, making it more manageable and lustrous. The Ceramide Technology adds strength to control the unwanted frizz in those beautiful locks.
Pros
- Best for highly textured hair
- Reduces tension between the hair strands
- Decently sized bottle for the price.
Cons
- Users report a slightly masculine scent
- Relatively thicker formula
Design Essentials Silk Essentials Heat Protectant
Lightweight, Moisturizing, and Suitable for all Hair textures
All my curl queens, the Design Essentials Silk Essentials Heat Protectant is a serum-based product that acts as a knight in shining armor, protecting you against all the thermal damage. The serum penetrates through the strands providing nourishment and strengthening the core against breakage, but it also helps provide all the nutritional benefits to the follicles, promoting healthier growth.
The critical ingredient here is Amino Acids, which strengthen and help retain the natural shine. The product needs towel-dried or slightly wet hair to act as a base while the ingredients work their magic. You know where to go if you’re looking for a lightweight, high-gloss finish.
Pros
- Lightweight
- High Gloss Finish
- Improves hair manageability
- Sulfate Free
Cons
- Users report an alcohol-like odor after use
Arvazallia Heat Protectant Plus with Argan Oil
Ultra Lightweight, Best suited for ironing requirements, Mist-like texture
Adding another product to the hair-care routine may have drawbacks like product build-up on the hair. However, we must maintain heat protection. To give you that same protection with a lightweight formula is precisely what the Arvazallia Heat Protectant Plus with Argan Oil is here for.
This heat protectant will create a barrier between the heat and your beautiful locks, keeping the damage at bay. The product’s highly mist-like texture avoids any build-up or residual remains. Argan Oil is the hero in your hair-care story since it repairs the previously caused damage to your hair while the other ingredients prevent further damage. If you’re looking for a quick spritz heat protectant, here are your Best Heat Protectants for 4C Hair.
Pros
- Effective Anti-Frizz
- Ultra Lightweight
- Infused Argan Oil
- Smoothens and Strengthens
Cons
- It may need to be used more frequently
John Frieda Frizz Ease Flat Iron Spray
Spray technology, Long Lasting, Keratin Infused, Best Suited with Flat Irons
The John Frieda Frizz Ease Flat Iron Spray is an amazingly put-together formula made to last. Once sprayed after a hair wash, the formula lasts till the next session. The basic makeup of human hair is laden with polymer keratin, the protein that builds a healthy strand of hair.
John Frieda added this protein in the spray, which, once used with a flat iron, makes the hair appear more nourished and gives it a shinier finish. The product is professionally made to tame your 4C hair into a sleek, straightened mane.
Pros
- Anti Frizz Technology
- Long-lasting
- Shiny, lustrous finish
- Protein Infused
Cons
- Users report stickiness
Sheamoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Restore Anti Breakage Spray
Works for color-treated hair, Anti Breakage, Restores, and repairs, Better suited for blow drying and ironing
Sheamoisture prides itself on using ingredients that will help you protect your hair against damage and add to the nourishment. The spray creates a barrier between your hair strands and heat clutches. The hair is anti-breakage and guarantees reducing breakage by 70%.
Castor Oil promotes hair growth, restoring its properties to its natural makeup. It also smoothens hair strands having split ends, restoring a flawless mane and nourishing your hair from the inside for the long run.
Pros
- Anti-breakage technology
- Adds the Castor Oil Goodness
- Protects against Thermal Damage
- It helps repair split ends
- Works for color-treated hair
Cons
- Cannot Guarantee a complete list of ingredients
- Users report a film buildup one used
Head Kandy Amino Keratin Third Wheel Heat Protectant Spray
Anti-Static, Amino-Keratin Infused, Best Suited For Ironing Purposes
The Head Kandy Amino Keratin Third Wheel Heat Protectant Spray is an Amino- Keratin Infused Formula. It’s the perfect blend of ingredients loaded with vitamins and minerals to make your mane shinier and add to their natural hair nourishment. It’s a lightweight formula that works for all hair types.
Not only does it act as the perfect barrier between you and the heat, but it also makes your hair static-free, doesn’t allow the split ends to stand out, and adds a touch of luster and health to the appearance. The product is used by people with colored and natural hair and has been appreciated by customers.
Pros
- Cruelty-Free
- Vegan Product
- Added Amino-Keratin Goodness
- Reduces split ends and Frizz
Cons
- A greasy texture has been commonly observed.
Frequently Asked Questions | Heat Protectant for 4c Hair
What are Heat Protectants?
Curly hair requires extra care; thus, we must look for good quality haircare products. But for anyone just starting with hair care, let me explain. Heat protectants are shields for your hair against the heat damage that the styling will put it through. These products create a layer between the hair and the plates of your flat iron or the hot air spewed out of your blow dryer.
How do you use heat protectants?
Before styling, dampen your hair slightly and add the heat protectant according to its application technique. Massage through your strands and ensure it is applied on all the strands that will be in contact with the heat. Some heat protectants can also be used without dampening your hair. Once thoroughly applied to the product, style your hair using any heating equipment without fear of damage.
Do Heat Protectants work?
Heat Protectants are designed to safeguard your hair against heat up to a specific temperature, usually 450 degrees. Having mentioned that, ensure your styling equipment does not exceed the temperature. To ensure the best results, follow all the instructions given with the product.
Are there any Natural Heat Protectants?
Natural heat-protectant ingredients include Grapeseed Oil, Argan Oil, and Shea Butter. However, the formulas of the products mentioned above are designed to ensure the best results for the 4C hair type. Not only that, many of these products include natural ingredients like these.
Closure | Best Heat Protectant for 4C Hair
4C hair has one of the most coily and curly hair textures. As much as they’re hard to tame, they are one of the most beautiful hair types. Taking utmost care of your hair is one of the year’s best resolutions. We’re not compromising on the styling for party nights. After taking a walk through the above recommendations, review the products and make a wise choice for your hair type and styling requirements. Keep your hair hydrated, silky, smooth, and strong!
Rebecca is a skilled writer with a passion for makeup and skincare. With years of experience in the beauty industry, she has a deep understanding of the latest trends and products and a talent for creating engaging content that resonates with her readers. Whether she’s writing about the latest skincare products or sharing her favorite makeup tips, Rebecca’s writing is always informative, entertaining, and inspiring.