How To Use A Hair Straightener Safely At Home
Protect your hair from heat damage and learn how to use this styling tool safely.
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Tiffany Young is the CEO and founder of ThinHairThick and a certified trichology practitioner with 6 years of experience. She is also a recognized expert in the hair and beauty industry with celebrity clientele. Her own personal struggles w... more
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Anjali specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you... more
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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
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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.
Choosing The Right Type Of Hair Straightener
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
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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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- Enjoy looking at your sleek and straight hair in the mirror.
Fun FactInfographic: 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
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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
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.
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.
Sources
- 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/
