When you straighten your hair with your flat iron, do you ever think about the damage you may be causing? Yep, you should. There are a variety of healthy heat protectants on the beauty market to help take care of your hair and protect it from heat damage while you straighten (or use any heat styling appliance).

Think about it, if you are using a flat iron that goes up to 450+ degrees don’t you think you might want to protect your locks? Hair gets damaged on its own, it’s best not to add to it by literally frying it every day with a flat iron. There are a few great protectants that buffer the excessive heat from flat irons (and curling irons, blow dryers, pressing combs, and hot rollers!) while enhancing the effectiveness of each appliance. Pictured: Paul Brown Hawaii Flat Iron.

It’s best to choose a protectant that suits your comfort level. Spray, serum, lotion, gel? Hmmm… which is best? All of them promise to protect your hair, and technically of them will just by adding that layer of coating between your hair and the super hot temperature of your flat iron. When choosing a heat protectant, look for ones that are lightweight, heat-activated, and packed with healthy ingredients. Here are just a few of my top thermal protecting picks:

Redken Smooth Down Heat Glide
Is it ok to start this review with WOW? This protective smoother from Redken is a leave-in serum that provides heat-safe control and tames even the frizziest frizz. If you have uncooperative, unruly, unmanageable hair, you must, must, must try Redken’s Smooth Down Heat Glide. Packed with healthy ingredients like nourishing macadamia oil, and smoothing candelilla wax, your hair will behave like it never gave you a minute’s trouble. Using ‘interbond’ conditioning technology, Smooth Down promises mega smoothing, intense shine and a long-lasting frizz free results. This product delivers. Big time.

FHI Heat Hot Sauce

Of course if you want super-smooth hair you should protect it from the potential drying and damage from flat irons, but why not repair it at the same time? FHI Heat Hot Sauce is different than silicone protectants…it’s moisture-based. This means that when it is heated by your flat iron it actually penetrates into the core of the hair to reconstruct and deeply condition the hair from the inside out. With regular use dry, damaged hair will be restored. Must be those heat-activated jojoba crystals!

Plus: You know I love great packaging and this little hot sauce inspired bottle is awesome.

GHD Thermal Protecting Spray
This lightweight, humidity resistant mist is formulated with exclusive UVA protection that provide thermal protection to your hair from heat styling damage, while moisturizing from roots to ends, and protecting it from the sun’s harmful rays. It promises to instantly provide a brilliant shine, repair split ends, and eliminate frizz. The end result is a luminous, glossy finish without buildup. Saving my hair from damage AND leaving my hair soft, shiny, and smooth at the same time? You really can’t beat this one. Plus, I like to spray products on wet hair. The less you touch wet hair with your hands the better. Your hair is very vulnerable when it’s wet, so a couple of spritzes will ensure a nice even coating.

Bonus points: It comes in three varieties to target your specific styling needs – normal to fine hair, dry/coarse hair, and weak/damaged hair. Can’t decide? If you are using a flat iron to create a straight style, pick normal to fine.

CHI Silk Infusion
Another Silk based product, CHI Silk Infusion doesn’t disappoint! Created by the makers of the best-selling flat irons, those guys really know what they are doing over there at CHI headquarters. Developed to work specifically with the CHI flat irons, this restructuring complex is a rich leave-in treatment enriched with pure silk, wheat, and soy proteins that penetrate and strengthen your hair while you straighten. CHI Silk Infusion works wonders, smells great and makes your hair look like you just came back from the salon. If you ever wonder how the pro’s do it, now you know. Plus, the added manageability and softness will leave you in healthy hair heaven!

L’anza Strait-Line Thermal Defense Heat Styler

This is one of our most popular heat stylers, and one you’ve probably never heard of before. L’anza’s lightweight spray-in treatment smoothes strands with a “Thermal Defense” barrier that protects hair from the excessive heat of flat irons, curling irons, hair dryers, hot rollers …everything. Its silky smooth formula provides gentle slip-through the hair for effortless glides down the hair section while styling. It truly lives up to its name; straight styles are super-easy with L’anza Strait-line. Though you may not be too familiar with this brand, people rave about how great it is – it’s a best-seller!

Bonus points: This thermal protectant also defends hair from the sun’s harmful UV rays, which can cause additional dryness and damage to delicate hair strands.

So go ahead and fire up your flat iron, just make sure to protect your hair first. We’ve got an entire section dedicated to healthy heat protection, so you’ll be sure to find one that’s best for you!

-CurlyBelle