How to Avoid Heat Damage When Using Hair Straightener?

If you were to list 5 essential hairstyling tools, your hair straightener is likely to feature at the top there. Hair straighteners are one-step shortcuts that help achieve sleek and straight hair at home. 

But with this easy styling comes the risk of heat damage. However, you can’t forgo your favourite tool for fear of heat damage, and that’s where haircare tips and tricks come to the rescue. In this post, we have brought you 6 tips to avoid heat damage while using hair straightener.

On top of this, we have added 5 additional tricks to restore your hair health and minimize heat damage after using your straightener. Stay with the post till the end to learn how to use a straightener while maintaining the hair's health and beauty. 

What is Heat Damage?

When your hair is exposed to excessive heat from styling tools like straighteners, curlers, or blow dryers, it damages the shielding layer of your hair called the cuticle. 

This damage weakens the hair’s protein bonds and depletes moisture and nutrients from the hair, leaving it dry, brittle, and weak. Signs of heat damage include:

• Frizz
• Split-ends
• Dullness

You can restore your hair’s health and minimize heat damage with the help of the proper techniques and routine.

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6 tips to avoid heat damage while using hair straightener

Making minor changes can help protect your hair from heat damage and boost overall health of hair. Here are 6 tips you need to adapt in your heat-styling routine to avoid heat damage:

1. Prepare your hair

First, prepare your hair for straightening by washing and conditioning it. This step helps remove all dirt and product build-up on your hair and smoothens it, allowing effortless glide and reducing the chance of hair damage. Moreover, washing hair opens up the cuticle, ensuring even heat penetration and achieving a polished look.

2. Shield with a heat protectant

The heat-protection serum is essential in heat-styling, regardless of hair type. After washing your hair, remove excessive water with a microfibre towel and evenly apply the heat protectant to your damp hair.

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As wet hair has open cuticles, they absorb the serum and create a protective barrier that minimizes heat damage and helps retain moisture during styling. You can use heat-protectant spray, serum, or cream based on your hair type and needs. 

3. Choose the right hair straightener

Your hair straightener quality can significantly impact your hair health. Advanced tools come with adjustable heat settings, high-quality plates, over-heat protection, and more, which reduces the risk of heat damage and gives you elegant locks. 

When selecting a hair straightener, consider models with titanium or ceramic plates for even heat distribution and a smooth finish. Tools like Aristo's Ace hair straightener provide these features and adjustable temperature settings to suit different hair types. 

4. Adjust temperature

Start straightening your hair by adjusting the heat temperature based on your hair type and condition. Tailoring the temperature for your hair type protects your strands from exposure to unnecessary heat and gives you the desired look with minimal effort. According to our experts, here’s a mini guide to the ideal hair temperature for different hair types:

Hair Type	Ideal Temperature
Fine, thin, and fragile hair	120°C to 170°C
Normal medium hair	170°C to 200°C
Thick and coarse hair	200°C to 230°C

It's better to start experimenting with the lowest effective temperature while styling your hair.

5. Maintain gentle pressure

Always start straightening with gentle but firm pressure. Glide the straightener smoothly through sections of hair, using even pressure without staying at one spot long. Detangle and section your hair before straightening to distribute heat evenly and prevent damage. 

6. Seal with nourishing products.

End your straightening process by sealing your hair with a hydrating serum or oil. This step helps maintain moisture, prevent frizz, and protect your hair against damage. Apply a small amount of nourishing product to the hair, focusing on the tips, where dryness often occurs the most. 

5 additional tips to minimize heat damage after using hair straightener

Our haircare tricks don’t end with getting your desired look safely. Here are 5 additional tips to restore your hair health and minimize the effects of heat damage after using a hair straightener: 

1. Deep condition regularly: The heating tool largely impacts your hair’s moisture level. Add a hydrating and nourishing hair mask to your routine to replenish the lost moisture and add shine to your hair.

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2. Oil your hair: Oil your hair regularly to replenish lost natural oil in your hair and straighten the protein bonds on your hair. You can go for argan or coconut oil for optimal results.

3. Avoid sun exposure: Safeguard your hair from direct sun exposure, as UV rays can dehydrate your hair, leading to dryness, dullness, and split ends. Apply UV protectant serum outdoors and wear a hat or scarf whenever possible.

4. Use hair serum: Hair serums are nourishing and easy to absorb for your hair. Consider adding one to your hair care routine if you frequently heat-style your hair. This serum helps to restore the lost nutrients and moisture in your hair.

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5. Avoid over-styling: Try to avoid heating tools whenever possible. Over-styling your hair can lead to damage, breakage, and unhealthy hair. Thus, limit heat-styling to twice or thrice a week with all essential safety measures. 

Conclusion 

Hair straightening is safe for your hair until you take all necessary precautions. This post discussed key tips for preventing and minimizing heat damage using a hair straightener. Here are three takeaways:

• Pay attention to the temperature.
• Never forget heat protectant serum.
• Invest in a high-quality tool.

By following these tips, you can achieve sleek, straight hair without compromising its health. Bookmark this post and create a checklist for your next straightening session. Further, don’t forget to prioritize shopping for high-quality straighteners from Artisto to enjoy beautifully straightened hair at home.