If you’re like most women, you probably use a flat iron to straighten your hair every day. And you’ve probably wondered if using a flat iron will damage your hair. The truth is, using a flat iron can damage your hair – but only if you use it incorrectly.
In this blog post, we will discuss the do’s and don’ts of using a flat iron to straighten your hair. We’ll also provide some tips for keeping your hair healthy and shiny!
Keep in mind that a hair straightener is just a tool and that, just like any other tool, you could use it in a right or wrong way. We aim to answer your question and show you how to use it safely.
First things first.
Will a Flat Iron Damage Your Hair?
Yes, a flat iron/hair straightener will damage your hair if you use it improperly. It does so by overheating your hair strands and drying out your scalp. When this happens, you have permanently damaged hair and a flaky scalp.
Lots of flat irons have temperatures of over 400 degrees Fahrenheit. But your hair can get damaged by exposure to heat just above 350 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can see the dilemma here.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that flat irons should be avoided; you must know how to properly use them.
How to Use a Flat Iron Correctly?
Now that we know that using a flat iron can damage your hair, let’s guide you through how to use it correctly.
When using a flat iron, always start with clean and dry hair. If your hair is dirty or even slightly damp, the flat iron will further damage your hair by adding more heat to it. It is essentially boiling your hair if you try styling it while it is wet.
It’s best to use a heat protectant spray before straightening your hair. This will help create a barrier between your hair and the flat iron. Be sure to evenly distribute the spray throughout your hair before using the flat iron. This is an incredibly important step so don’t skip it!
If you have very thin or fine hair, try using a flat iron with ceramic plates. They are less damaging than other types of flat irons and are perfect for thinner hair.
Those with thicker hair should try to get a titanium-plated flat iron, as those work well with thicker and coarser hair. They also require fewer passes than other flat irons.
When you’re ready to start straightening your hair, divide it into small sections. Then, slowly run the flat iron down each section of hair. Be sure not to hold the iron in one spot for too long; this will damage your hair.
If you have very thick hair, you may need to go over each section of hair multiple times. But be careful not to do this too often, as it can still damage your hair.
After you’ve straightened your hair, let it cool before styling it. And be sure to use a heat protectant spray before using other hot tools, such as curling irons or hair dryers.
How often can you flat iron your hair without damaging it?
Most professionals recommend that you only use a heat-based styler once a week to avoid damaging your hair. So, a flat iron should only be used once a week if you’d like to avoid causing damage to your hair.
Your hair needs time to recover after exposure to such a high heat level, so it only makes sense to do it as few times as possible. You wouldn’t expect a wound to heal if you kept constantly reopening it and the same logic applies here.
What type of flat iron is least damaging?
If you’re looking for a flat iron that will damage your hair the least, a ceramic flat iron is your best bet. These are the recommended types of flat irons for those with thinner hair due to the fact they cause the least amount of heat damage out of the many types of hair straighteners out there.
Tourmaline and titanium flat irons have their place, but they won’t be nearly as good as ceramic for thinner hair.
How can I heat my hair without damaging it?
Before you heat your hair, there are several things you can do to prevent damaging it:
- Use a good heat-protectant spray
- Dry hair BEFORE styling with heat
- DON’T blow dry sopping wet hair
- Don’t use too much heat (400+ is bad for hair)
- Don’t hold the flat iron in one spot for too long
- Be sure to distribute the heat throughout your hair evenly
- Use ceramic plates if you have thin hair
- Use titanium plates if you have thick hair
Final thoughts
We hope we answered your question: “Will a flat iron damage my hair?” While yes, flat irons can damage your hair if used incorrectly, following the tips we’ve provided will help you use one without damaging your