How To Use A Hair Straightener Safely At Home
Protect your hair from heat damage and learn how to use this styling tool safely.
Image: Shutterstock
Flat iron straighteners that are both fashionable and user-friendly are a boon of modern technology. If you want straight sleek hair, you do not need to go to a beauty parlor anymore. But, how do you use a hair straightener from the comfort of your home? It is important to remember that using a hair straightener for the first time can be challenging. Although flat-irons are easy to use, one must be extremely careful with them to be safe. Here’s a quick tutorial about how to use a hair straightener at home if you are a beginner.
In This Article
How To Make Hair Ready For Straightening
Before you straighten hair at home, you need to prep your hair. Pollution, grease, various styling products, and dirt make your hair frizzy and unmanageable (1). Therefore, you need to wash your hair before straightening it.
Use a hydrating and nourishing shampoo to make your hair soft. Before you apply the flat iron on hair, make sure your hair is dry. Do not use a hair straightener on wet hair.
Key Takeaways
- Before using a straightener, ensure your hair is clean, dry, and detangled to smoothen the styling process.
- Use a heat protectant spray on your hair to limit heat damage.
- Choose the right temperature depending on your hair length.
- Avoid the roots when straightening your hair.
- Divide your hair into sections, then straighten it section by section.
Choosing The Right Type Of Hair Straightener
Wondering how to straighten hair with a flat iron or any other hair straighter? Choosing the right type of hair straightener is as important as preparing your hair for the straightening method. The market is flooded with plenty of straightening brands, and the abundance of options may end up confusing you. Here Checkout these Hair Straighteners as few options you can consider. Using a bad iron may end up damaging the hair severely.
Among many types of straighteners, flat irons are the best ones. They may be a little expensive compared to other types but are the best in terms of safety. When you are shopping for one, try to pick a straightener that comes with ceramic plates. This type of product is gentle for hair and provides hair with extra shine and health. Look out for auto-shut-off, quick cool-down time, and dual voltage features while buying a professional-grade straightener.
Choosing the right size of hair straightener is most important. The ideal plate width for the straightening iron ranges between 1” to 1.5”. Irons having two plates or more are the best types of straighteners for all lengths of hair. A straightener with temperature control settings lets you customize the heat settings according to your hair type.
Did You Know?How To Use Hair Straightener At Home
Applying a hair straightener at home does not involve rocket science. Here is a simple step-by-step guide for you:
- For pre-styling preparation, wash your hair with a good conditioning shampoo. Using a heat-protectant hair spray and then blow-drying your hair after washing is recommended. Use a smoothing, frizz control, and conditioning shampoo if you have frizzy, thick hair. For thin hair, you should opt for volumizing products.
- Towel dry your hair after washing it and follow with a blow-dry. When drying the hair, do it from the roots to the tips. Comb your hair well and detangle it. This is the first step of hair straightening.
- The next step is to apply a heat protection spray to protect your hair from the damage caused due to heat. Avoid applying the serum on the roots as it would make the hair greasy.
- While making the hair ready for straightening, use the sectioning technique to divide the hair into sections to straighten your hair uniformly on all sides.
- Set the correct temperature on the iron. It depends on the length of the hair. Refer to the manual for directions.
- Leave an inch from the root and start straightening each section of your hair. Use clips to secure the rest of the hair while doing each section. Repeat the method for each section.
- Enjoy looking at your sleek and straight hair in the mirror.
Alicia James, a blogger, expressed her excitement and experience about straightening her hair for the first time using a flat iron. She shared details about the products used, such as a deep cleanse shampoo, moisture conditioner, leave-in conditioner, protein hair infusion, glycerin, and a ceramic flat iron. She said, “ I started my flat ironing process I put my hair into four braids, and I just went through each section, taking really small pieces of hair to flat iron the sections (i).”
Fun FactNow that you know how to use a hair straightener at home, let’s address the most important question…
Are Hair Straighteners Good For Your Hair?
A hair straightener can temporarily transform unruly hair into sleek tresses, but its frequent or excessive use can lead to damage. High heat levels strip hair of its moisture, causing dryness, breakage, and split ends (1). Heat protectants help mitigate this, but they are not foolproof. People with fine or fragile hair should be extra cautious. To minimize damage, use a straightener on low heat, limit its use, and condition your hair regularly. Ultimately, moderation and protective measures are key to balancing the desire for straight hair with maintaining its overall health and vitality.
So, how do you use straighteners safely? Scroll down as we share some common mistakes to avoid when using a hair straightener at home!
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Using A Hair Straightener
Avoid these common mistakes when using a hair straightener for healthy and smooth tresses.
- Using high heat settings can greatly damage your hair.
- Straightening wet hair.
- Skipping the heat protectant product and risking breakage and split ends.
- Over-straightening sections that can lead to dryness and frizz.
- Forgetting to clean your straightener regularly to prevent buildup.
Infographic: How To Straighten Your Hair At Home
There are many outfits and looks that look great with straight hair. But it is not feasible to spend money at the salon every time you want to straighten your tresses. Investing in a good hair straightener will save you money and time, and you can easily straighten your hair at home quickly. Check out the infographic below to find out how!
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
Using the wrong hair straightener or using the right one incorrectly can cause hair damage to your stunning tresses. It is important to use a straightener the right way, starting with washing your hair with a hydrating shampoo. After that, select the right hair straightener for your hair, like a flat iron with a ceramic coating that is gentle on your tresses. Also, don’t forget to apply a heat protectant before you straighten your hair, and to avoid any burns on the skin, it’s recommended that you wear heat-resistant gloves. The best way to straighten your hair thoroughly is to divide it into sections and then flat ironing each section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to use other hair products with my hair straightener?
Yes, you can use haircare products like heat protectant sprays, smoothing serums, or styling creams with your hair straightener. However, ensure they are heat-safe to prevent damage and avoid product buildup on the plates.
Do you use hair straighteners on wet or dry hair?
You should not use a hair straightener on wet hair. Wet hair is porous, and applying heat to it can lead to severe hair damage.
Is it OK to straighten your hair every day?
No. Straightening your hair every day can lead to hair damage like dryness, breakage, and frizz.
Can I apply oil before straightening?
You can apply some oil to your hair before straightening it. Oil coats your hair strands and protects them from heat damage. But, it is better to use a heat protectant for optimal hair protection.
Why does my hair get frizzy after I straighten it?
Straightening or blow drying your hair with chemical treatments or a heat styling tool dries out your hair, leaving it frizzy.You can use products that offer frizz-control to make your hair more manageable.
Curling your hair with a straightener is quick and budget-friendly! Watch the video below for some easy tips to use your straightener to achieve enviable curls easily.
Personal Experience: Source
StyleCraze's articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. Straightening Natural Hair – My First Flat Iron,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJAmSA1HlL0&t=223s
References
Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.
- Gavazzoni Dias, Maria Fernanda Reis. “Hair cosmetics: an overview.” International journal of trichology vol. 7,1 (2015): 2-15.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4387693/
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