Ceramic: “Ceramic is the best option overall for a safe and less damaging hot tool because of the infrared technology, which works to straighten the hair from the inside out,” says stylist Bri Anderson. Ceramic also heats evenly and is gentler on strands, making it optimal for thin, color-treated or damaged hair.
Opt for a ceramic or tourmaline flat iron with adjustable heat settings, keep it below 350°F, and always use a heat protectant spray. Remember, moderation is key -- one-time hair straightening won't lead to a strand rebellion. Pamper those precious tresses post-straightening with a hydrating mask.
Opt for a ceramic or tourmaline flat iron with adjustable heat settings, keep it below 350°F, and always use a heat protectant spray. Remember, moderation is key -- one-time hair straightening won't lead to a strand rebellion. Pamper those precious tresses post-straightening with a hydrating mask.
Popular Hair Straightening Treatments Available
Keratin treatments, or Brazilian blowouts, smooth your hair for months by infusing keratin deep into your hair cuticles. Ideal for those battling frizz, these treatments can cost a bit but are worth it for sleek, low-maintenance hair.
Ceramic: “Ceramic is the best option overall for a safe and less damaging hot tool because of the infrared technology, which works to straighten the hair from the inside out,” says stylist Bri Anderson. Ceramic also heats evenly and is gentler on strands, making it optimal for thin, color-treated or damaged hair.
Aim to use the lowest possible temperature when styling your hair. Many tools heat up to 450 degrees, but unless you have ultra-coarse strands, you probably don't need to crank them up to the highest setting to achieve results.
Is it OK to straighten hair every day? According to hair stylists, it is not recommended to straighten hair every day as it can cause breakage, heat damage, and moisture loss. Ideally, you should be flat ironing freshly washed, conditioned hair and heat protected hair no more than 2 or 3 times a week.
Best for Fine Hair: Dyson Airstrait
Instead of pressing your hair between hot plates, it dries strands with hot air (using the same technology as our favorite Dyson Airwrap)—which is way less damaging than your standard straightening iron.
BLOW-DRY WITH COOL AIR
If so, you can achieve straight hair by using the cold air setting on your blow dryer. This simple trick is a great way to eliminate the risk of heat damage and will go a long way in the overall health of your hair.
Use a Heat Protectant
Use a hair mousse, lotion, spray, or serum before using the hair straightener. The heat causes the hydrogen bonds to break and thus cause moisture loss. A heat protectant will create a barrier around the hair strands so it doesn't burn or break under thermal pressure.
The ghd Max straightener has been designed with minimal heat damage in mind, even when used on long, thick, or curly hair. The heat distribution is as effective and even as possible, keeping curls moisturised and protected without hot spots damaging your curl 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.
Use Essential Oils
To straighten your hair at home without damaging it, put down the hot tools and opt for a gentler method like wrap-drying or blow drying hair with cold air. How do I straighten my hair without heat? To straighten your hair without heat, try air-drying with loose braids, wrap drying, or wet setting.
If you have thin or fine hair, stick to lower temperatures - 250°F - 300°F (120°C - 150°C), and for thick coarse hair, you can increase the temperature to 350°F - 450°F (180°C - 230°C). What is the highest heat for hair? The highest heat that you will find on most flat irons is 450°F, or 230°C.
If you're not careful when you blow-dry your hair, the heat damage can cause split ends and breakage. Also, pulling on your hair while drying can cause trauma to the hair follicles, which may lead to hair loss later, says Lauren Ploch, MD, a dermatologist in Aiken, S.C.
DysonAirstrait™ Wet-to-Dry Straightener in Ceramic Pink
I will never recover over how good this is. What it is: A straightener that dries and straightens hair simultaneously so you can take hair from wet to a finished look—with one machine, no hot plates, and no heat damage.
What type of straightener is the healthiest for hair? Regardless of what tools you use, styling your hair with heat is damaging. Any straightener with hot plates creates damage to some extent, so it's best to opt for tools that use steam or hot air.
Hair smoothening chemicals are comparatively easier to manage than hair straightening chemicals, which need reapplication and care. Try measuring the current situation of your locks. If your hair is already damaged or weak, you might want to go for a less destructive treatment like smoothening to avoid excess damage.
Adjust the Temperature as Needed
"Be mindful of how much heat you are putting on your hair because once heat damage is done, there is no going back," says Powell. "You never want to go over 400 degrees for the blow dryer or the flat iron... and for natural hair, the lower the heat, the better."