A heat spray creates a protective layer over each strand of hair, preventing the cuticle from being exposed to extreme heat. The formula of heat protection spray has been carefully created to help protect hair from heat styling tools.

In addition to protecting against high temperature and restoring moisture, thermal sprays offer a number of other benefits. It helps protect against split ends and breakage. By smoothing the hair cuticles, your strands are less porous and therefore less prone to frizz. It can help boost shine and luster.

Heat protectants protect the hair against damage caused by heat tools. They provide a barrier between your hair and your heat tool and seal in moisture to help prevent breakage and frizz and protect your color against fading.

A: Using a heat protectant for hair can mask damage from heat application but won't prevent the effects in the first place, according to Evans. While it's impossible to prevent damage from using hot tools, you can minimize the effects by sticking to a low-temperature setting when heat styling your hair, he says.

When Do I Use Heat Protectant? Depending on the type of heat protectant, you may apply it on damp hair or dry hair before using any hot tools, including blow dryers, curling irons, and straightening irons. Apply section by section, and comb through to distribute the product evenly.

Whether you have thin, fine straight hair or thick and curly natural hair, heat protectants - also known as thermal sprays - coat the hair with a layer of ingredients like humectants, amino acids, and keratins to lock in moisture and create a shield-like layer of armor once the heat is applied, Cleveland explains.

When you should use your heat protection spray will depend on how it is formulated. Some sprays are meant to be used only on damp hair, while others are meant only to be used on dry hair.

The Disadvantages of Thermal Spray Technology One of the main drawbacks of thermal spray is that it requires high temperatures to bond properly with the underlying surface, making it difficult or even impossible to operate in a sealed environment.

Our Top Picks:

• Best for Dry Hair: Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum, $30.
• Best for Extensions: Oribe Balm d'Or Heat Styling Shield, $45.
• Best for Fine Hair: JVN Complete Blowout Styling Milk, $29.
• Best Serum: Shu Uemura Yubi Blonde Anti-Brass Heat Protecting Purple Hair Serum, $58.

6-10” away Here's how to apply the heat protectant spray: Hold the canister 6-10” away from your hair and spray it in a sweeping motion. For all-over coverage, be sure to section your hair prior to applying.

If you blow dry your hair, always apply a heat protectant before you get started. "In terms of order, leave-in conditioner is always the first product to add as it acts as the foundation for your hair," explains Michelle O'Connor, a celebrity hairstylist and global artistic director for Matrix.

In fact, it is best applied to damp or towel-dried hair before heat styling. Applying the spray on wet hair allows it to penetrate the strands more effectively and create a protective barrier against heat damage.

Here are the general guidelines for the order of your hair care products:

1. SHAMPOO. We know that this step goes without saying, because you don't want to start layering products onto hair that's dirty.
2. RINSE-OUT TREATMENTS.
3. CONDITIONER.
4. LEAVE-IN TREATMENTS.
5. HEAT PROTECTANT.
6. HAIR MOUSSE.
7. HAIR SERUM OR OIL.
8. HAIR SPRAY.