Hair straighteners have evolved with numerous designs and functionality changes over the years to make them far more user-friendly. Modern flat irons are more advanced and people have more options to choose from according to their unique hair type. However, the hair straightener is an appliance, which if not used correctly, may cause burns and even severe hair damage. That is why, one must know the right ways to use a straightening iron to get the best results.
If you are a novice, never fear, here are a few tips and tricks on how to use hair straighteners the right way:
1. Hair prep
You cannot use hair straightening appliances right away, especially if you have wet hair. You’ll need to wash and throughly dry your hair before using a straightener. Always clean your hair to get rid of grease, dust, pollution, and residue from any other hair products. The hair needs to be well-conditioned as it helps keep hair soft and ready for straightning. Many users opt for heat-conditioning shampoo and conditioner to minimize drying and hair damage.
2. Selecting the right hair straightener
There are thousands of hair straighteners on the market and not all of them are suitable for every hair type. Straightening irons come in varieties so you need to select the one according to your hair type and texture. For instance, ensure the straightener has ceramic coating on the plates as this helps with even distribution of the heat. The size of the appliance also matters a lot; the ideal size of the straightener is 1” to 1.5” wide.
Steps to use the hair straightener properly
If you are a beginner and worried whether you can do it correctly, then don’t because this is easy. Just follow the below-mentioned steps and you will be able to get your hair straightened easily.
After you are done cleaning and conditioning the hair dry it properly with a towel or a blow dryer. Your hair should be completely dry before you use the hair straightener, it should be dried from the roots to the end. Detangle the hair using a good quality comb because if you don’t do this your hair strands may get burnt.
Apply a good quality of heat protecting spray or serum which is suitable for your hair type. Try to go for a quality brand of this product as cheaper ones may not protect your lovely hair.
Separate the hair into different segments for getting the straightening done, this will allow proper heat distribution.
Check the manual and set the right temperature according to your hair type and length.
Start straightening the hair an inch away from the root as it saves the roots from heat damage.
The straightening of hair is not that difficult and you can also check out online videos for this. You should be very careful with this appliance as one mistake may burn and damage your hair permanently. If you get any kind of burn on your skin or hair, you should immediately consult a doctor.