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Hair Straightening & Curling

Use protective styling aids

There are two kinds of uses for hair straighteners: curling and/or straightening. Any good quality straightener should feature temperature controls. The reason why straighteners work so well, and also the reason why they cause so much damage, is their considerable heat, which temporarily realigns the shape of your hair. To lessen the damage caused by direct heat, apply a heat activated protective styling aid to your mid-length and ends. However, please be aware that no styling aid will completely protect your hair from damage from straighteners.

Use the ‘correct’ hair straightener

Hair straighteners use the natural moisture content of your hair to create a new style. This is why your hair needs to be fairly dry for them to work properly. However, if care is not taken, they can make your hair very brittle. Steam-producing irons provide moisture, so are less likely to dry out your hair. The best of these are Teflon-coated irons.

Restore elasticity

Use a pre-shampoo conditioning treatment at least one a week, to help restore lost elasticity and moisture and to help prevent breakage and dry hair.

Limit their use

If you have extremely coarse, curly or frizzy hair, the daily use of straighteners to tame your style can be very tempting. But be warned, this can quickly lead to substantial breakage, which actually makes your hair appear more frizzy due to the different lengths of hair snapping off and sticking out. It can become quite a vicious cycle. Try to limit the use of straighteners to once or twice a week. There are many products out there to help tame and smooth wavy, kinky or frizzy hair. We say embrace your curls and the natural texture of your hair.

Correct use

Do not leave the iron on your hair for too long. The high heat can burn your hair and cause irreversible damage. Also, do not pull excessively when straightening or curling – your hair is already vulnerable to breakage, and tension can make it worse. Hair fact: your hair can burn just like your skin – you just can’t feel it!

Replace your hot iron

Impurities from water, and also the residue of formerly removed hair cells, can build up on hot irons and cause them to stick to your hair, which be very damaging. To avoid this hazard, hot irons will eventually have to be replaced. You will know when to change it as ‘stickiness’ will occur and build-up on the ceramic plates will be evident.

Hot Iron Cautions

Never put hot irons too close to your scalp. Their high heat can result in painful burns and subsequent infection.