How To Use A Hair Straightener Safely At Home

Flat iron straighteners that are both fashionable and user-friendly are a boon of modern technology. If you want straight sleek hair, you do not need to go to a beauty parlor anymore. But, how do you use a hair straightener from the comfort of your home? It is important to remember that using a hair straightener for the first time can be challenging. Although flat-irons are easy to use, one must be extremely careful with them to be safe. Here’s a quick tutorial about how to use a hair straightener at home if you are a beginner.

How To Make Hair Ready For Straightening

Before you straighten hair at home, you need to prep your hair. Pollution, grease, various styling products, and dirt make your hair frizzy and unmanageable (1). Therefore, you need to wash your hair before straightening it.

Use a hydrating and nourishing shampoo to make your hair soft. Before you apply the flat iron on hair, make sure your hair is dry. Do not use a hair straightener on wet hair.

Choosing The Right Type Of Hair Straightener

Choosing the right type of hair straightener is as important as preparing your hair for the straightening method. The market is flooded with plenty of straightening brands, and the abundance of options may end up confusing you. Here Checkout these Hair Straighteners as few options you can consider. Using a bad iron may end up damaging the hair severely.

Among many types of straighteners, flat irons are the best ones. They may be a little expensive compared to other types but are the best in terms of safety. When you are shopping for one, try to pick a straightener that comes with ceramic plates. This type of product is gentle for hair and provides hair with extra shine and health. Look out for auto-shut-off, quick cool-down time, and dual voltage features while buying a professional-grade straightener.

Choosing the right size of hair straightener is most important. The ideal plate width for the straightening iron ranges between 1” to 1.5”. Irons having two plates or more are the best types of straighteners for all lengths of hair. A straightener with temperature control settings lets you customize the heat settings according to your hair type.

Did You Know?

Henry W. Seeley from New York City was provided a patent for the electric flat iron in 1882.

How To Use Hair Straightener At Home

Applying a hair straightener at home does not involve rocket science. Here is a simple step-by-step guide for you:

1. For pre-styling preparation, wash your hair with a good conditioning shampoo. Using a heat-protectant hair spray and then blow-drying your hair after washing is recommended. Use a smoothing, frizz control, and conditioning shampoo if you have frizzy, thick hair. For thin hair, you should opt for volumizing products.

2. Towel dry your hair after washing it and follow with a blow-dry. When drying the hair, do it from the roots to the tips. Comb your hair well and detangle it. This is the first step of hair straightening.

3. The next step is to apply a heat protection spray to protect your hair from the damage caused due to heat. Avoid applying the serum on the roots as it would make the hair greasy.

4. While making the hair ready for straightening, use the sectioning technique to divide the hair into sections to straighten your hair uniformly on all sides.

5. Set the correct temperature on the iron. It depends on the length of the hair. Refer to the manual for directions.

6. Leave an inch from the root and start straightening each section of your hair. Use clips to secure the rest of the hair while doing each section. Repeat the method for each section.

7. Enjoy looking at your sleek and straight hair in the mirror.

Alicia James, a blogger, expressed her excitement and experience about straightening her hair for the first time using a flat iron. She shared details about the products used, such as a deep cleanse shampoo, moisture conditioner, leave-in conditioner, protein hair infusion, glycerin, and a ceramic flat iron. She said, “ I started my flat ironing process I put my hair into four braids, and I just went through each section, taking really small pieces of hair to flat iron the sections (i).”

Fun Fact

The ancient Egyptians are believed to have used flat plates to straighten their hair.

Now that you know how to use a hair straightener at home, let’s address the most important question…

Are Hair Straighteners Good For Your Hair?

A hair straightener can temporarily transform unruly hair into sleek tresses, but its frequent or excessive use can lead to damage. High heat levels strip hair of its moisture, causing dryness, breakage, and split ends (1). Heat protectants help mitigate this, but they are not foolproof. People with fine or fragile hair should be extra cautious. To minimize damage, use a straightener on low heat, limit its use, and condition your hair regularly. Ultimately, moderation and protective measures are key to balancing the desire for straight hair with maintaining its overall health and vitality.

Infographic: How To Straighten Your Hair At Home

There are many outfits and looks that look great with straight hair. But it is not feasible to spend money at the salon every time you want to straighten your tresses. Investing in a good hair straightener will save you money and time, and you can easily straighten your hair at home quickly. Check out the infographic below to find out how!

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do you use hair straighteners on wet or dry hair?

You should not use a hair straightener on wet hair. Wet hair is porous, and applying heat to it can lead to severe hair damage.

Is it OK to straighten your hair every day?

No. Straightening your hair every day can lead to hair damage like dryness, breakage, and frizz.

Can I apply oil before straightening?

You can apply some oil to your hair before straightening it. Oil coats your hair strands and protects them from heat damage. But, it is better to use a heat protectant for optimal hair protection.

Why does my hair get frizzy after I straighten it?

Straightening or blow drying your hair with chemical treatments or a heat styling tool dries out your hair, leaving it frizzy.You can use products that offer frizz-control to make your hair more manageable.

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Tiffany YoungCertified Trichology Practitioner

     

Tiffany Young is the CEO and founder of ThinHairThick and a certified trichology practitioner with 6 years of experience. She is also a recognized expert in the hair and beauty industry with celebrity clientele. Her own personal struggles with hair loss created an opportunity for her to deep-dive into learning all things related to medical conditions and external factors that...more

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