If your mane is in any way dry, under-conditioned, damaged, or in any other less-than-healthy state, straightening very often will likely make things worse.
Those with more resilient hair could likely stand to use heat styling tools two or maybe three times a week. Those with thinner hair or aging hair should keep their use of hot tools like blow dryers and straighteners to once a week.
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.
It is also important to never apply heat to dirty hair! Applying heat to unclean hair will only “cook” debris and build up in to hair cuticles and will lead to damage. 9. Stick to regular Deep Treatments – Make sure regular deep treatments are a part of your hair regimen.
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.
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!
Put simply, don't straighten dirty hair and don't straighten wet hair either as both can be damaging to your beautiful mane. So, it's best to wait until your hair is completely dry before you start applying any heat to it. If you don't have time to let it dry naturally, you can use a blow dryer.
Avoid using too much heat
Since it causes the hair to become dry, your scalp will produce more oil in response. Straightened hair also lies closer to the scalp and comes into contact with more oil which makes it appear more greasy.
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.
Damaged hair looks rough, dry, dull, and frizzy. It loses its natural shine because the cuticles, which give hair its sheen, have been damaged. Heat damaged curly hair may appear limp, and the curls may not hold their shape, and straight hair may not appear as polished and sleek.
We recommend getting a silk press every 4 to 6 weeks or quarterly, depending on your lifestyle, overall hair health, and goals.
A few things can cause frizz after straightening hair, including not using a heat protectant, using too much heat, or not properly sealing the hair. A heat protectant is essential to help keep the hair from damage by the straightener's heat. Applying too much heat can also cause frizz.
“When you stop using heated styling tools for a few weeks, you may notice a difference in your hair's health and appearance. The hair will typically become softer, smoother and shinier. Split ends may also start to mend and hair breakage may decrease consequently,” she advises.
Brushing wet hair until it dries and using large rollers can help straighten hair naturally without heat or chemicals. Wrapping wet hair tightly or using overnight hair bands can also help create a straighter look while avoiding heat damage.
Make sure your hair is 100% dry.
Even if your hair is a little bit damp and you use a hair iron you are increasing the damage by double! You want to make sure your hair is completely dry before straightening so that you won't cause any hair breakage.
So, if you are wondering exactly what to apply before ironing hair, these are the 4 must-use products: a hair primer, a thermal heat protectant, a hair serum, and a split end sealer. Taking these steps after thoroughly washing and conditioning your hair is essential before you begin your heat styling routine.
If you notice an increase in oiliness after heat-styling your hair, it's likely because the oils on the scalp were softened and melted by the heat of the devices, making it easier to spread across your hair fibers. In any case, heat styling is pretty damaging to your hair, so try not to heat-style your hair too often.
Straightening before bed allows the style to set in, compared to straightening your hair in the morning and later experiencing a frizzy outbreak midday. And let's face it, you don't want a frizzy outbreak…
Well, that depends. If you work out frequently, have an occupation that causes you to sweat profusely, possess an excessively oily scalp, or struggle with breakouts within your hair follicles, you may need to wash daily. Generally, it's best to leave at least a day between washes.
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.
A critical temperature of 140 degrees C resulted from the studies. 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.
Don't Use a Curling Iron Every Day
Try to limit your use of heat tools to no more than a few times per week. If you do use heat tools often, be sure to take extra steps to protect the hair and keep it healthy.