The ancient practice of straightening hair with an iron is now a modern-day styling staple for most women.
But it can be harmful to your tresses and the amount of effort and money you put into perfecting straighter strands may vary by day: some days, you do all the right things; on others, you think better of it.
Here are some expert tips on how to straighten hair without heat damage, so you can have the perfectly coiffed look every day
Products You’ll Need Before You Start Styling
To prepare your hair for flat-ironing, you need to apply the right products before you start styling. ‘Use a moisturizing cream or a leave-in conditioner to hydrate your locks,’ says celebrity stylist Ryan Richman. ‘Add a serum to ensure that the hair is protected from heat and give it shine.’
A styling product should be worked into damp hair, as this will help keep it from drying out.
You can then either let your hair air dry or blow dry it to the style you desire. This helps strengthen hair and protect against heat damage
Using Your Flat Iron
When heating your iron, set it on high heat for five seconds before moving on to the next section of hair. ‘This helps seal in moisture,’ says celebrity stylist Lockhart Phillips. Continue this process until all of your hair is styled.
The Flat Ironing Process
When it comes to flat-ironing your hair, a regular brush should never be used on wet hair. Instead use a wide-toothed comb to section off your mane and comb through each section before you begin straightening. Repeat this process as many times as needed until each strand is detangled and Ready to Go!
If your hair feels a little dry after straightening it, all you need to do is add a few drops of oil to bring back the moisture.
When using your flat iron: – Hold it vertically and clamp down on each section for about five seconds. Then release and swipe it away from your face.
– Remember that your hair is delicate when wet, so avoid tugging or pulling it too hard
You can also see our posts on Best Hot Air Brush UK and our How to Clean a Hot Air Brush here.
After you shower try this
The GHD sets are ideal for straightening hair naturally, especially if the hair is very curly or coarse. Rollers may be used on all hair types and textures. A Wet brush, for example, is a wonderful option. Leave-in conditioner can help you avoid frizz when used correctly. According to Grenia, leave-in conditioner is fantastic for preserving your locks from becoming dry and damaged. You can increase the size of rolls to make edges or roots seem more attractive if you play around with their size. Before using a roller, be sure hair is fully dry.
You can also straighten your hair overnight.
While sleeping, keep your hair wrapped in a silk scarf to prevent it from becoming frizzy. When you wake up, your hair will be smooth and straight.
Use a Smoothing Product
If you have a little bend in your hair, Jordan recommends washing it with a mild shampoo and conditioner like R + Company Waterfall. Then blow dry it straight. This gives you a relaxed appearance, as Saadi suggests. A few more hair oil and hair spray to repel flying insects.
Banding
Hair can be stretched using elastic hair bands, which is known as banding. It includes a number of stages, including chopping your hair, moisturizing it, and untangling it. Take a section and attach an elastic band to the roots in the middle and at the bottom. Wrap again with a piece or two remaining between each. To banish fragile hair, use elastics that aren’t made of metal. Even though the hair does not come as straight as it does with rollers, banding is still a good way to straighten curly hair.
Wet the hair with a spray bottle before applying product and pulling tight.
Wear Your Hair Down
Throughout the week, try wearing your hair down more often than usual. Putting it up in a bun or ponytail can cause excess pressure on individual strands of hair and lead to breakage. Plus, this will help maintain healthy locks and your natural waves.
By doing the following, you can avoid heat damage and still get that straight hairdo of your dreams whenever you please: – Never brush hair while it is wet. Instead, use a wide-toothed comb to separate tangles so you won’t harm any of your strands after they are dry – Apply leave-in conditioner and oil to hair after showering. This can help protect your hair from becoming too dry – Use a detangling spray before blow-drying to avoid frizz when styling – Try sleeping in a silk scarf or bonnet to preserve your hairstyle overnight
Use a Beard Oil
Dry skin and frizzy hair go hand in hand, so Jordan suggests using a beard oil that moisturizes your skin and adds some shine to the hair. This will help you enjoy healthy and fresh locks while sticking with your preferred hairstyle. It’s also important to note that using a flat iron can damage your hair, so Jordan suggests limiting its usage as much as possible.
Reconstructor
According to Grenia, you can use a reconstructor on dry hair to smooth out any damage. Make sure your hair is wet first before putting it in the shower. After letting the water run for about five minutes, apply conditioner and leave it in for two to three minutes. Then rise it out using cold water, and your hair will be smooth and easy to manage.
Reconstructors are available for purchase on the market, but you can also make your own with ingredients like olive oil and avocado, which is another way of straightening hair naturally. Use about one teaspoon of either product mixed together in a bowl, apply it all over dry hair, and leave it in for about 10 minutes. Wash out with cold water to reveal straightened locks.
Conclusion
It’s no secret that straightening your hair with a flat iron can cause heat damage if you’re not taking the proper precautions; without first prepping your hair properly, using these popular tools can actually lead to some strand breakage. But there’s no need to trade in your favorite sleek, straight hairstyle quite yet.