What can excessive heat styling do to permed hair?

Excessive heat styling on permed hair can cause split ends and reduce the hair's elasticity. When hair is permed, it undergoes a chemical change that alters its structure to create curls or waves. This process can make the hair more vulnerable to damage, and the application of high heat can exacerbate those vulnerabilities.

Heat styling tools, such as curling irons, straighteners, and blow dryers, can strip moisture from the hair, leading to dryness and brittleness. As the hair loses moisture, it becomes more prone to splitting at the ends, which is a common issue for chemically treated hair. Additionally, heat can weaken the protein structure of the hair, impairing its natural elasticity. Maintaining healthy elasticity is crucial for hair because it allows for flexibility and bounce in the curls; a reduction in elasticity can lead to more breakage and less defined curls.

In contrast, options like enhancing curl definition or increasing moisture retention are not outcomes of excessive heat styling; rather, heat can damage the structure of the curls. Similarly, while good hair health can encourage growth, excessive heat does not stimulate hair growth and may actually hinder it due to the potential for damage.