• Styling tools can leave hair dry and damaged.hair dresser at work image by Laser from Fotolia.com
  
  Getting shiny, healthy-looking hair can be difficult considering how easily hair is damaged. Styling tools like blow dryers and flat irons can dry and tear hair. Coloring and bleaching causes extensive damage to the hair shaft. Friction from brushes and over-styling, chlorine from swimming pools and UV rays from the sun can also leave hair damaged and dry. Products designed to protect hair can keep it looking healthy despite all these negative influences.
  
  

Protection from Heat Styling

• Heat styling with blow dryers, flat irons and curling irons dries hair out and causes nicks in the hair cuticle that leave it weak and prone to breakage. If you use these tools frequently, a product to protect hair from the damaging heat is a necessity. There are many available on the market today that come in spray, serum or lotion form.
  
  "Allure" magazine recommends Tresemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray and John Frieda Frizz-Ease Hair Serum Thermal Protection Formula. Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair is another popular heat protector recommended by editors of "Glamour" magazine. Apply these throughout damp hair before styling to decrease damage. Stylists also recommend not overusing silicone-based products, as the silicone can create a barrier to moisture and leave heat-damaged strands dry and breakable.
  
  

Protection from UV Rays and Chlorine

• Summertime can leave hair with flattering sun-kissed highlights, as well as dry, damaged and discolored strands. To protect hair from UV rays, "Allure" recommends L'Oréal Paris Vive Pro Smooth-Intense Shampoo and Conditioner. They contain UV filters that protect hair from sun damage and prevent chemically lightened or colored hair from turning brassy under the sun.
  
  To protect hair from chlorine and salt water, which can have a drying, dulling effect, Phyto Plage Protective Beach Spray restores moisture. Redken Color Extend Sun After-Sun Mask contains the moisturizing ceramides commonly found in skincare products to restore dry hair and UV filters to keep hair protected from damaging rays.
  
  

Protection for Colored Hair

• Chemicals used in hair bleaching, coloring and straightening can cause extensive damage to the hair shaft, breaking down hair's waxy exterior and leaving it dry and coarse. Colored hair requires special care to restore moisture and shine and to keep color from fading. "Allure" recommends Garnier Fructis Color Shield Fortifying Shampoo and Cream Conditioner or Kiehl's Sunflower Color Preserving Shampoo and Conditioner to maintain color and keep strands healthy looking.
  
  For severely damaged hair, hairstylist Mark Townsend of the Sally Hershberger salon in New York City suggests using a deep conditioner overnight at least once a week. Leave-in conditioners contain the same ingredients as regular conditioners, but in more concentrated amounts that leave a protective film on hair for several days. "Allure" recommends Infusium 23 Repairologie Leave-In Treatment and Nexxus Emergencée Strengthening Polymeric Reconstructor, and for fine hair, Kérastase Masquintense for Fine Hair.