Thermal Damage, Styling Product Overuse, and Heat Protection Strategies in Professional Hairstyling: An Expert-Based Protocol for Hair Structure Preservation

This applied research article investigates the mechanisms of thermal damage to human hair due to professional styling practices, such as excessive heat exposure and improper use of styling products. It combines trichological principles with professional hairstyling expertise to analyze structural changes in hair fibers under high temperatures and the cumulative effects of repeated heat styling. The study highlights the interaction between heat tools and salon-used cosmetic formulations, proposing an expert-based protocol to minimize thermal damage. This protocol includes evidence-informed heat protection strategies, optimal temperature ranges, and professional recommendations to preserve hair structure while maintaining styling performance, aimed at hairstylists, educators, and practitioners in cosmetology and hair science.