5 Tips for Protecting Your Hair from Heat Styling

From perfectly straight to light and curly, everyone has a favourite hairstyle. No one’s hair is naturally perfect, and you might need to use a hair straightener or curling iron to achieve your favourite look.

While hair straighteners are far from dangerous for most people, the heat that they put out can cause significant damage to your hair. Apply your straightener for too long and you could damage your hair or, in some cases, even burn it right off.

Luckily, it’s easy to prevent your hair from becoming damaged and brittle. Try these five simple tips provided by Hershsons next time you straighten or curl your hair to prevent the heat of your straightener or curling iron causing anything more than a stylish, impressive look.

The finer your hair, the lower the heat

Not all hair is equally thick. People with light hair colours tend to have thinner hair than dark haired people, while people with straight hair generally have far thinner hair than people with curly hair.

Just like fire will burn through string before it burns through a rope, a curling iron will burn through thin hair faster than it burns through thick hair. If your have thin and light hair, lower your straightener’s temperature to prevent damage.

Use thermal protectants to strengthen your hair

Thick hair can tolerate more exposure to heat than light and thin hair

A variety of thermal protectants are available to strengthen your hair against heat, whether from a curling iron or from an everyday blow dryer. These products often use silicone and other ingredients to help protect your hair fibres from heat.

While no amount of protection can stop your hair from being damaged by extreme heat, these products can go a long way towards preventing damage from a curling iron or hairdryer.

Don’t overuse your hair straightener or curling iron

Whenever you’re using a hair straightener or curling iron, remember three simple words: light, quick, and careful. The longer you apply heat to your hair, the greater the amount of damage you’re doing to its fibres and keratin.

Use a light hand when straightening or curling your hair, keep the ceramic plates in contact with your hair for as little time as possible, and be careful not to burn your hair – or yourself – when using any hot devices.

Use a high quality curling iron or straightener

Many inexpensive hair straighteners sacrifice quality for a low price, and in turn are dangerous and ineffective. Whenever possible, spend a little extra for a curling iron or straightener that’s safe, reliable, and built to keep your hair healthy.

If possible, pick a hair straightener or curling iron with an adjustable temperature so that you can choose the perfect heat for your hair. Hair curlers from Hershesons have built-in temperature adjustment to help your hair avoid potential damage.

Don’t use your straightener or curling iron every day

Using your hair straightener every day might give you the perfect look, but it can be hazardous to your hair’s health. Every week, give your hair a ‘day off’ from curling or straightening and let it hang down naturally.

Giving your hair a break helps the keratin recover, and strengthens your hair for the long term. Constant curling can take its toll, even if you do it properly – have a break every weekend and let your hair relax and recover.