How to Use a Straightening Iron Without Damaging Hair

Heat and hair do not make a good combination. It is a well known fact that heat can cause damage to hair that is impossible to fix. The only way to get rid of damaged hair is to cut it off. The key to straightening hair without damaging it is in the preparation of the hair. Protecting your hair as much as possible before applying the direct heat of a straightening iron will help to minimize damage in the long run.

Things You'll Need

• Heat protecting serum
• Anti-frizz serum
• Absorbent towel
• High-quality hair straightener

Instructions

1. Remove excess moisture from hair with a towel. Don't rub the hair, but gently squeeze the extra water from the hair using an absorbent towel.

2. Add a heat protecting serum to towel-dried hair. The serum will add a coating to the hair shaft that will help protect it from the heat. It will also add a little bit of shine to the hair.

3. Dry hair completely. Wet hair is more susceptible to damage than dry hair when heat is directly applied. This is because wet hair is weaker than dry hair. The best possible way to dry your hair is to let it air dry. Using a blow dryer adds more potential for heat damage by removing the surface moisture of the hair.

4. Adjust the heat setting on the hair straightener to the lowest setting needed for your hair. Thin hair does not need a high setting. If necessary, straighten smaller sections at a time to avoid using high heat.

5. Divide the hair into sections, piling the top layers on top of the head to get them out of the way.

6. Apply an anti-frizz serum to each section of hair before straightening it. This will give a more even coating of the serum and it will act as an additional barrier against heat damage.

7. Straighten each small section at a time until your hair is completely straight.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy a high quality hair straightener. The higher quality straightener help minimize heat damage to hair. Ask your favorite stylist for a recommendation. Use thermal products for you hair. These products are specially formulated to help protect hair from heat damage.

• Do not straighten hair that is wet or damp. Make sure hair is completely dry before using the hair straightener.