The Benefits and Way of the Heat Cap

What Is a Conditioning "Heat Cap?"

What typically makes salon deep-conditioning treatments so superior to the hair masks we apply at home is the process and strategic utilization of heat, which is the exact inspiration behind Hot Head Thermal Care's heat-trapping hair caps. Essentially, the application of heat opens up the hair cuticles so they're better able to absorb and reap the benefits of any treatments, masks, or oils you apply to your strand after cleansing.

When we apply our masks without heat, the cuticles are for the most part closed and thus our strands are unable to soak up all of our favorite elixirs' hydration and health-boosting benefits. So essentially, without heat, your masking ritual is a wash. What's more, this practice is important and beneficial for every single hair type—regardless of how coarse or fine your texture is, or how damaged or healthy your hair is. It's amazing all the same. In fact, a friend with an opposite hair type actually told me about Hot Head.

The Benefits of the Heat Cap

Filled with flaxseeds, the brand's colorful, microwavable deep-conditioning heat caps basically allow you to perform salon-like hair treatments in the comfort of your home—effortlessly enhancing the efficacy of the hair treatments (be it masks or oils) you already use and love.

"Hot Head dramatically improves the results of your favorite deep conditioner, hair masque, oil, or other hair treatment," the brand explains on its website. "Without heat, your treatment can only do so much to improve the quality of your hair. Typically, the cuticle is closed, so the treatment is only able to work on the surface of the hair shaft. The results are minimal and superficial when compared to heat-enhanced deep conditioning treatments.

Hot Head enables the hair cuticle to open for an extended period, allowing the treatment to penetrate the hair shaft, nourishing it from the inside out." After even just two or three uses, I 100% became a believer in the cap's magic.

How to Use a Conditioning Heat Cap

Step 1: Wash Hair and Apply Your Treatment

Easy! To start your Hot Head treatment, do as you normally would do in the shower sans conditioner. Simply shampoo your hair, gently towel-dry to remove excess water, and then apply your treatment of choice. Personally, I'm obsessed with this delicious new hair mask from Kérastase (a weekly treatment designed for dry and dull hair), but use whatever you love. 

Step 2: Comb Through and Apply Plastic Shower Cap

After you apply your treatment, work it through your hair so it's thoroughly and evenly distributed. A detangling comb or brush will do, but I'm convinced a wide-tooth comb like this one form the hair maestros at Mason Pearson reigns supreme when it comes to zero breakage. 

Once your treatment is worked in, apply a plastic hair cap over the entire head and hairline. 

Okay, here's where things get steamy. As explained by the brand on its website, place your cap on a clean glass or ceramic plate in a 1000-watt microwave with the cap's elastic facing up. You'll microwave for a total of three 30-to-45-second intervals, removing the cap to flip it inside out per interval. If additional heat is desired, continue with 10-to-20-second intervals, following the above flipping method, until your desired heat level is achieved.

After your cap is heated, put it on over your plastic hair cap and wear for anywhere between 20 to 45 minutes. After you've let your hair marinate, allow your strands to cool for five minutes and then rinse your treatment out with cold water to seal the cuticle and lock in shine. 

Thanks to Hot Head, my hair has been growing longer, stronger, and faster than ever before, and I love to switch it up at home and use it with all of my favorite oils and masks for different treatment.