An Expert Guide – How to Straighten Your Hair Without Damage

Let’s be real. Hair straighteners are amazing tools that allow us to have sleek, straight hair (very thankful). But, they can be damaging if you don’t know how to protect your hair correctly. Don’t worry! That doesn’t mean you have to break up with your flat iron and never see it again. We’re here to help. Keep reading for an expert guide on how to straighten your hair without damage. 

How to Straighten Your Hair Without Damage

How do Flat Irons Cause Damage?

I’m sure you’ve heard a million times that straightening your hair will cause damage. But how exactly? You’ve probably noticed a cloud of smoke rising from your hair when you straighten it. And you might have assumed it’s just your hair burning. Yikes! But that cloud of smoke in the air is actually steam. When you use your flat iron, the moisture is stripped from your hair, which then evaporates and turns into steam. That’s why your hair tends to return to its natural state if it’s a (dreaded) humid day. 

Using your straightener regularly without protecting your hair can strip it of its natural oils, which can cause dryness and frizz. Excessive dryness can lead to brittle, damaged hair prone to split ends and fall out.

If your hair has faced fallout from your hair straighter, we may be able to help. Check out our article for How to Get Thicker Hair. A Guide to Improving Volume and Fullness. 

How to Protect Your Hair

Okay, so you certainly don’t want dry, brittle hair prone to fall out. So what are the steps you can take to straighten your hair without damage? Let’s get into it. 

Use A Lower Heat Setting

While hair straighteners can go all the way up to 450°, that doesn’t mean you have to use that setting to straighten your hair. So what heat setting should you use? Aim for the lowest heat setting that allows you to straighten your hair with a single pass of your straightener. If your hair isn’t falling straight after one pass through, you may need to turn up the heat.

With that being said, different hair types will require different settings. Thick, curly, or coarse hair will require a higher heat setting to achieve straight locks with a single pass-through. Whereas, if you have damaged or fine hair, try to stay as low as possible to prevent further damage!

Give Your Hair A Break

Are you someone that can’t leave the house without using your flat iron? If so, it might be time to give your hair a vacation from the hot tools! Why not skip the heat and give these 6 Funky 90s Inspired Hairstyles You Can do at Home a try. Not only are they super on-trend, but they allow you to skip the flat iron giving your hair a much-needed break.

If possible, try not to use your flat iron daily. Instead, save it for special occasions or nights out where you need a killer hairdo. Want to really elevate your look without the hot tools? Switch up your color with Hally’s foaming hair color! The more you allow your hair to return to its natural texture, the healthier it will be. 

Protect Your Hair

If you want to straighten your hair without damage, this step is an absolute must-do. Before you pick up your hot tools, make sure you always use a heat protector on your hair. Heat protectors form a protective layer around your strands, helping to lock in moisture and distribute heat evenly. This protective layer works to lessen the damage from your hot tools. On top of that, they also work to prevent fizz on muggy days and protect your hair from pollutants. It’s a win-win situation, so there’s no excuse not to protect your hair before you plug in your hair straighter!

Hello Hair Care Routine

Chances are, your skincare routine gets all your attention. From face masks, exfoliating scrubs, to luxurious face oils. But what about your hair? It deserves some love too! After all, we really put our hair through it with tight ponies, blow driers, and hair dye. If you want shiny, healthy hair, you have to take care of it.

A nourishing hair mask, leave-in conditioner, and scalp scrub will have your hair living its best life. Have you noticed that your hair isn’t as thick and voluminous as it once was? Incorporating a growth serum into your routine will rebalance oil levels and help maintain healthy hair growth. 

Use the Right Flat Iron

It might be tempting to choose a flat iron that’s on sale at your local department store. But when it comes to choosing a hair straightener, quality matters. A good quality ceramic flat iron is suitable for most hair types. Ceramic flat irons are less likely to cause frizz from straightening and distribute heat evenly, minimizing heat damage.

If you have coarse or curly hair, you might prefer a titanium flat iron. These flat irons have higher heat settings meaning you won’t have to run the straightener of the same section to get straight locks. 

Follow These Steps to Straighten Your Hair Without Damage

The next time you reach for your flat iron, make sure you follow these steps to straighten your hair without damage. And why not level-up your self-care ritual with a hair care routine? Sure, you may be in the bathroom for a little while longer, but your shiny, healthy hair will thank you later!

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