A curling or straightening iron can help give your hair the ideal texture for whatever look you're going for. Unfortunately, using one everyday can do serious damage to your locks. If you can't give up your favorite heated styling iron, though, there are ways to minimize the damage. By using the right type of iron, using it properly, and treating your hair with product that will help strengthen it, you can keep your tresses as healthy as possible.
The right hair straightener creates lush, shiny tresses with just a few flicks of your wrist. But straight-hair addicts are often presented with an impossible conundrum.
Daily use of a straightener can damage your hair, particularly if—like many straightener addicts—your hair is already coarse and dry. The heat dries out your hair, making it more vulnerable to split ends and breakage. The more heat you use, and the more frequently you use it, the worse the damage will be.
Does this mean you have to give up on stick-straight locks and shine for days? Or that you have to choose between a texture you love and healthy hair? Not a chance.
Straight, healthy hair doesn't require any magic, and you don't need the blessings of the hair gods. Instead, follow these simple tips to minimise straightener-related hair damage.
Don't Overdo It
We get it; you want straight hair each and every day. That doesn't mean you have to hit the heat every morning. If your hair is thick, coarse, or curly, you probably don't need to wash every day.
Switching to an every-other-day shampoo approach helps maintain your hair's natural oils—the same oils that heat and styling products can sap. You'll have more time in the morning, and you'll have to straighten less frequently, offering your hair a much-needed break from high heat.
Extend the life of your style by using a straightening product such as evo easy tiger smoothing balm, Kevin.Murphy Smooth Again and ELEVEN Smooth & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum. Then cover your hair with a silk scarf at night to prevent bed head and preserve your style. Resist the urge to put your hair into a ponytail overnight, since doing so can leave it bumpy.
Invest in a Quality hair Straightener
We get it—really. No one wants to shell out half a week's paycheck for a straightening iron. Think of it this way: you probably spend a tidy sum every few months on your cut and colour. If your hair is damaged, you'll spend even more on salon treatments and home conditioners.
Damaged hair costs more time and money than even the priciest straightener. So don't focus on the price tag. Consider the value an excellent straightener offers over time, and start saving!
So what's the deal with straightener prices? When you invest in a quality straightener, you're paying for two hair-protecting factors: quality materials and more control over the temperature.
Quality materials such as ceramic and titanium heat up more evenly, ensuring a longer-lasting style that won't break your hair. Quality straighteners typically allow you more control over the temperature, which enables you to select the lowest possible heat for your hair type.
Apply a heat protectant
Before you use your curling or straightening iron, you want to protect your hair so it won’t lose too much moisture from the heat. Work a heat protectant product through all of your hair -- it will coat your locks so they don’t lose their natural moisture and conditioner.[5]
- For fine or thin hair, a heat protectant spray is usually the best option.
- For thick or coarse hair, a heat protectant oil, cream, or lotion is usually the best option.
- Look for a heat protectant that contains humectants, such as panthenol and propylene glycol, to lock in moisture, and silicones, such as amodimethicone and dimethicone, to provide insulation from the high temperatures.[6]
- When you’re curling or straightening your hair, it’s a good idea to use a heat protectant product that also has some hold to it so you can lock in the curls or straightness.
Get regular trims
The ends of your hair are the spot that’s going to show the damaged from heat styling the most quickly with spilt ends and breakage. By getting your hair trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks, you’ll remove the damaged hair so your locks look healthier overall.[11]
- When you get your hair cut, it’s a good idea to ask your stylist for tips on keeping your hair healthy. She might be able to provide tips for using irons on your particular type and style of hair, so you can minimize damage.
