In this blog post, we will answer the question: do hair straighteners damage hair?
Hair straighteners should be one of the greatest inventions for women. It gives us glamorous and sleek hair in minutes, and we can achieve any look we want with it. Changing your hairstyle frequently is now easier than ever before. However, using a hair straightener may not be as easy as it seems. In fact, there are some basic practices you need to follow in order to keep your hair looking its best. Otherwise, the result may be disastrous.
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Do hair straighteners damage hair?
The answer is: it depends. If you use a hair straightener incorrectly, then it can damage your hair. But if you know the basic rules on how to use it and take good care of your hair, then you can still achieve sleek and healthy hair.
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How can I straighten my hair without damaging my hair?
There are some things you need to do in order to keep your hair healthy when using a hair straightener.
Use conditioner before straightening
This is the preparation step that you should not skip if you want to avoid damaging your hair. It is recommended to use a leave-in conditioner, or a deep conditioner if your hair is particularly dry. By doing this, you simply “strengthen” your hair so that it can better withstand the heat of hair straighteners.
Apply heat protectant
When you use a flat iron to straighten your hair, you’re essentially applying heat to your hair in order to break down the bonds that give it its natural shape. Heat protectant helps to protect your hair from this damage by creating a barrier between your hair and the flat iron. The ingredients in heat protectants help to seal in moisture and prevent the hair from drying out or becoming brittle. In addition, heat protectants can also help to tame frizz and flyaways. As a result, it’s an essential part of any straightening routine. When applied properly, a heat protectant can help to keep your hair looking healthy and shiny, even after repeated exposure to high temperatures.
Only set high temperature when needed
There are flat irons that have a very wide temperature range, but that doesn’t mean that you should always use the highest setting. Although high temperatures can help straighten faster, however, using too much heat can damage your hair. When choosing a temperature, it’s important to consider your hair type. If you have thin or fine hair, then you’ll want to use a lower temperature to avoid damaging your hair. Thick or coarse hair, on the other hand, can usually handle a higher temperature.
The key is to find the lowest temperature that will still give you the results you want. You can always start with a lower setting and increase the heat if your hair isn’t responding as well as you’d like. You can also use hair straighteners with heat sensors like GHD models, they will automatically adjust the temperature so that your hair won’t be damaged. Or you can choose the BaByliss straighteners, which offer a wide range of temperatures.
Use steam straightener
If you have particularly stubborn hair, then you may want to consider using a steam straightener. The steam opens the hair follicle, allowing moisture to get inside while straightening or curling it. This process helps use less heat while still getting the job done, which can minimize the amount of damage to your hair.
Use a ceramic or tourmaline flat iron
The material of your flat iron can also make a difference in how damaging it is to your hair. Ceramic flat irons are a popular choice because they heat evenly, which helps to prevent hot spots that can damage your hair. Tourmaline flat irons are also a good option because they emit negative ions, which can help to seal in moisture and protect your hair from damage. Usually, the best performance comes from a combination of ceramic and tourmaline plates (tourmaline-infused ceramic straighteners).
Don’t straighten big strands of hair at a time
This is a basic rule that you should always follow when straightening your hair. If you try to straighten too much hair at once, then chances are your hair is not straightened evenly. This can lead to imperfections in your hair, and can also increase the amount of time that you need to spend straightening your hair. It’s best to take a proper amount of sections of hair and work slowly to ensure that each strand is evenly straightened. Maybe it is time-consuming, but it is worth it if you want to achieve the best result without damaging your hair.
Invest in a good quality hair straightener
A lot of people make the mistake of using a cheap hair straightener, thinking that all straighteners are the same. However, this is not the case. This is because cheap straighteners tend to use lower-quality materials and have less effective heating elements, for example, uneven heating plates or wrong temperature displays. As a result, they can end up causing more damage to your hair. I personally have experienced a flat iron that displayed 300 degrees F, but in reality, the temperature was around 400 degrees F, which is way too hot and caused a lot of damage to my hair.
In contrast, a higher quality hair straightener will use better materials and have more precise temperature control, which can help to protect your hair from damage. In addition, a higher-quality straightener will also be easier and more comfortable to use, which can save you time and effort in the long run.
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Never use the straightener too often
Even if you’re using a high-quality flat iron and taking all the necessary precautions, it’s still important to give your hair a break from time to time. Over-straightening your hair can lead to damage, so it’s important to give your hair a chance to recover between straightening sessions. The ideal interval is once a week, but it may be necessary to wait longer if your hair is particularly damaged. Some healthy hair can withstand straightening every 2-3 days, but it’s always best to err on the side of caution.
Avoid blow dryer after straightening
After straightening your hair, it’s best to avoid using a blow dryer. The heat from the blow dryer can further damage your hair and undo all of your hard work (more: best blow dryers that are safe for your hair). Instead, allow your hair to air dry or lightly mist it with a heat protectant spray before using a diffuser on low heat. The key is not to let your hair contact with more than 2 sources of heat in a short period of time, which can cause damage.
More: How to Get the Flat Iron Smell Out of Hair With 5 Tips
Which straightener is least damaging to the hair?
There are some straighteners that are rated positively by customers for being the least damaging to the hair. Here are some of the most popular ones:
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Final thoughts
Do hair straighteners damage hair? Yes, it is important to take the necessary precautions when using a hair straightener in order to minimize damage. By following the tips we’ve provided in this article, you can help to keep your hair healthy and looking its best. Hope this blog post was helpful! If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
