The temperatures of heated styling tools can, in the case of straightening or curling irons, reach between 175-200ºC/347ºF-392ºF. Usually, any temperature above 200ºC/392ºF will cause damage to the hair – in fact the hair can start to melt at 220ºC/428ºF!
Moderately damaged hair may start to return to its “usual self” in two to three months after using heat with caution & twice-weekly treatments, especially if you use treatments & ingredients such as jojoba oil that are specifically targeted at rebuilding your hair's protein & restoring its lipids.
Below this temperature little modification of the hair structure was observed which was reversible and linked to the progressive loss of free water. Above 140 degrees C the structural modifications were profound and irreversible.
Heating or styling iron on your hair can cause damage, so it's important to be cautious. Generally, it is recommended to limit the use of heat styling tools to 1-3 times per week. Here are some tips for minimizing damage:
But over time, as you continue to use your heat tools on your hair less and less, you will start to notice a difference in its texture, strength, and shine. While the minimization of using heat tools on your hair is really great, there are additional steps you can take in order to keep your hair healthy.
It's generally suggested that heat styling be done not more than once a week. Natural hair should always be freshly shampooed, conditioned, and completely dry before heat styling. Straightening dirty hair with a flat iron will only burn oil and dirt, which will lead to more damage.
If your hair texture is thin and fine, or if you have chemically damaged hair, you'll want to keep the heat on a lower setting between 200° and 300° F. For normal to medium textured hair you can increase the heat up to 350°F. Thicker more coarse hair types can withstand the highest temperature setting up to 375°F.
200°F/100°C is best for fine, fragile, or synthetic hair. 325°F/160°C is best for fine, type 1, or damaged hair. 360°F/180°C is best for chemically-treated hair, finer type 2, type 3, and natural hair. 450°F/230°C is best for ultra-thick and type 4 hair.
Managing heat damaged hair
As we've noted, damaged hair repair isn't possible because the protein bonds and cuticles have been permanently altered. Instead, the focus should be on maintaining hair to prevent further damage. If your hair is severely damaged, the most extreme solution is to cut it off and start fresh.
While it's advisable to keep temperatures low, any setting above 140°F / 60°C can cause some level of hair damage. Using a heat protectant can offer additional protection. As a rule, try not to set your flat iron or curling iron higher than 392°F / 200°C.
But what is hair loss due to heat damage? Hair loss due to heat damage can easily happen to those who use heat-based stylers regularly – causing hair to break and fall out. Luckily, hair loss due to heat damage is not permanent, and can be reversed by avoiding the overuse of styling equipment.
Get Broken Ends Trimmed Off
Split ends Opens in a new tab are common when hair has been stressed out by heat styling, so is it best to cut off heat damaged ends? The simple answer is 'yes'. Your first (and most effective) course of action should be to give your client's hair a trim.
Tips for Avoiding Heat-Damaged Hair
Limit Heat Use As a general rule, use the lowest temperature setting possible on irons or blow-dryers to achieve your look. Most beauty experts say not to go over 410°F — above this temp, the high heat actually begins to melt the keratin in your hair.
Keep the use of your hot tools to a minimum and aim for a temperature between 200°F to 300°F when you do blow dry, straighten, or curl your hair. Use a heat protectant and try to let your hair air dry whenever possible.
Yes, it is OK to straighten your hair once a week as long as you use the proper techniques and a good flat iron with temperature control features. Wash your hair thoroughly, apply hair primer and a thermal heat protectant, and never straighten damp hair to avoid damage.
Using products that are designed to nourish the scalp and hair can definitely speed up this process, but on average you'd be looking at six months to a year to fully see a difference in your hair's condition.
Also known as coily hair, type 4 hair is the most fragile of all the hair types, because it often has fine strands with fewer cuticle layers. Type 4 hair has many defining features, the most obvious being its curl pattern - this can range from crochet-needle size coils, all the way to a 'Z' shaped pattern.
“A keratin treatment is considered to be the safest way to permanently straighten hair because it does not rely on harsh chemicals as relaxers and permanent waves do.” How Does It Work? A stylist applies a keratin-based product that includes a formaldehyde derivative to your washed hair.
The extent to which hair can endure heat styling without sustaining damage depends on various factors, including hair type, its current condition, and the applied technique. Generally, it's advisable to limit hair straightening to a maximum of two or three times per week, although this guideline is not set in stone.