Keeping my hair looking good and styling it is important, and I love my straighteners. The thing is, I’m often worried about the potential damage they could do to my hair.
So, do hair straighteners damage hair?
Hair straighteners can damage hair, and this is because the heat from them can cause it to become brittle and break. It can result in permanent damage and split ends if you keep applying heat to damaged hair.
I want to take a moment to give you more information about how hair straighteners can damage hair and how you can protect it.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways:
- Hair straighteners can damage hair if used too often or without a heat protectant.
- Damaged hair is more susceptible to frizz, split ends, and breakage.
- If you use hair straighteners sparingly and take care of your hair, you can minimize the damage.
Do Hair Straighteners Damage Hair?
Yes, hair straighteners CAN damage your hair. If you use them too often or don’t use a heat protectant, they can dry out your hair, making it BRITTLE and more likely to break [1].
Damaged hair is also MORE susceptible to frizz and split ends. However, if you use them sparingly and take care of your hair, you can minimize the damage.
Pro Tip: You can take steps to prevent too much damage. Use a heat protectant, and don’t use them every day. Also, be sure to hydrate your hair with a good conditioner.
The question is can you use straighteners every day, keep reading to find out.
If you’re eager to expand your hair care knowledge, be sure to explore our guides on how to use a straightening brush, tips for how to dry hair overnight, and the comparison between infrared hair straightener vs ceramic.
Can You Use Hair Straighteners Every Day?
No, it would be best not to use hair straighteners daily. Doing so can dry out your hair, and this causes it to break, the occurrence of SPLIT ENDS, and generally brittle hair.
If you keep using them, they will cause MORE damage, and they can become permanent.
Pro Tip: Heat tends to be VERY damaging to hair, and this is why it is important to take precautions.
Do Some Hair Types React Worse to Heat Than Others?
Yes, some hair types will react WORSE to heat than others. This has a lot to do with the natural oils in your hair and the thickness.
For example, people with THIN hair will generally have a more challenging time because their hair also can’t protect itself. This is why it is SO important to use a heat protectant if you have this hair type.
Pro Tip: Straight hair tends to need LESS heat than curly hair, and the hair texture of your natural hair can impact the amount of heat it can tolerate.
5 Tips to Avoid Damaging Your Hair with Flat Irons
If you want to prevent heat damage to your hair when using straighteners, you can do a few things to give your hair more PROTECTION.
1. Hydrate Your Hair with Conditioner
Be sure to hydrate your hair with a GOOD conditioner, as this will help minimize the damage that can be caused by hair straighteners.
You can also use hair masks before your hair straightener to help keep your hair healthy and protect the hair FOLLICLES from the heat.
2. Let Your Hair Dry Before Using Straighteners
If your hair is wet, it is more susceptible to damage. Try to let it dry NATURALLY before using any heat-based styling tools.
You should NEVER use a flat iron on wet hair as it can burn the strands and cause uneven results.
3. Use a Low-Temperature Setting
Even if you are using the best hair straighteners on the market, use the LOWEST possible temperature setting. It might take longer to straighten your hair, but it will be less damaging.
4. Use Heat Protectant
There are heat protectant products available that can help REDUCE the amount of damage done to your hair. Be sure to use these before straightening your hair.
5. Don’t Brush Your Hair too Often.
Brushing your hair too often can damage the hair shaft and lead to BREAKAGE. If you must brush it, be sure to use a soft-bristled brush.
Pro Tip: Take breaks from straightening your hair to give it a chance to recover. The heat from hair straighteners can damage your hair, so it is important to take breaks in between uses. This will help prevent permanent damage to your hair.
Hairstyles That are too Tight Can Damage Hair
Wearing your hair in a tight ponytail or bun can put a strain on your hair and scalp, and this can lead to hair breakage. Use a soft hair tie or clip if you must wear your hair up.
Your hair should also get a BREAK from being worn pulled back or in tight styles. If you wear them regularly, try to give your scalp at least TWO days off a week.
Pro Tip: When styling your hair, be gentle. Yanking or pulling on your hair can damage it, so take care when styling it.
FAQs
Can Curling Irons Damage Hair?
How Do I Know If My Hair Is Damaged?
Can Blowdryers Damage Hair?
Is There Such A Thing As Permanent Hair Straightening?
Conclusion
As you can see, hair straighteners CAN damage your hair. However, there are steps you can take to PREVENT too much damage. Be sure to use a heat protectant, and don’t use them daily.
Also, be sure to hydrate your hair with a good conditioner. If you follow these tips, you can MINIMIZE the damage caused by hair straighteners.
I hope this guide has been able to give you more information on the potential damage that can be caused to your hair by straighteners. Make sure you check out my other haircare guides while you’re here.
So, did you ever find hair loss using a hair straightener? Let us know in the comments section!
Sources:
1. Hahn J. How Heat Affects Human Hair: Thermal Characterization and Predictive Modeling of Flat Ironing Results. Theses and Dissertations Available from ProQuest [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2022 Oct 31];1–160. Available from: https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/dissertations/AAI10808169/
