MORE: The Best Hair Colors For Women Over 40 Protect your assets with this damage-minimizing strategy from Nicole Rogers, a hair-transplant surgeon and Tulane University assistant clinical professor of dermatology:

  1. Prep for straightening or curling with a spray containing silicone or dimethicone: Both absorb damaging heat. One to try: Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Rapid Repair Spray ($30, amazon.com). MORE: 9 Haircuts That Take Off Years 2. Use wands, irons, and dryers (the nozzle should be 6 inches away from strands) at the lowest possible heat settings. 3. To blend grays, pick low-maintenance partial highlights instead of all-over color, which is highly drying. Or go a few shades lighter so you don’t have to touch it up as often.