How to NOT Cook Hair While Heat Styling

Heat styling tools have become popular as they give you the power to create salon-like hair at home. However, the very same thing that makes that possible is also the reason for damaging your hair: heat. Specifically, you would not want to cook your hair in the process. Even though much has been said (or written) about the proper way to use heat styling tools, many women are still guilty of causing heat damage to their hair.

Follow these guidelines when using heat styling tools to achieve the hairstyle you want minus the heat damage:

Hair Dryer

This is the most commonly used at-home heat styling tool in the world. As the name implies, the device uses heat to dry your hair quickly, so you no longer have to wait before you can style it however you want. To ensure that you won’t damage your hair with every use of the hair dryer, here are some rules to keep in mind:

• Do not use heat settings above 190 degrees Celsius. Each strand of your hair has a maximum heat capacity to withstand, which is your hair’s safety net. If you expose it to a higher heat level, the cuticle will dry rapidly until it eventually turns brittle.
• Use a heat protection spray. This has been told over and over again, yet a lot of women skip this step when using heat styling tools. If you do not have access to a heat protectant, wait until your hair is about 70% dry before you use the hair dryer. Or, you can use the relaxed air setting to dry your hair.
• When your hair is almost dry, lower the heat. Do not use the same level of warmth throughout.
• An attachment known as a diffuser can be used with your hair dryer. This attachment is designed to diffuse the heat when it comes into contact with your hair. Therefore, your strands are exposed to less warmth without compromising their ability to dry.

Curling Irons

• You must be more cautious when choosing a heat setting for your curling iron. Unlike hair dryer that only emits heated air, curling irons come in direct contact with your hair strands as you are styling. The ideal temperature should be no more than 185 degree Celsius. This should allow you to bend or curl your hair to your desired style. When you use heat beyond 230 degrees Celsius, it can cook your hair! In addition, you won’t get as much shine on your hair as the heat breaks down the cuticle.
• Be extra careful when locking your hair strands in between the plate. There is no need to press down the plate even tighter. Let the heat do the work.
• Using curling iron on wet hair is a no-no. It’s like suicide for your hair – just don’t do it!
• Replace your curling iron every two years (ideally). Or, you can invest in a high-quality curling iron like GHD, which automatically sets to the ideal styling temperature so you won’t have to worry about frying your strands.

Hot Rollers

The use of rollers is the best way to create fabulous curls. New technology has enabled quick heat and curling hair with modern hot rollers. There is also a lot of flexibility involved since you can choose from various roller sizes to create the type of curl you want.

• Proper preparation is crucial to obtain the right curls you want using rollers. Wash your hair with shampoo.
• Work with each section of your hair that is the same thickness as the size of the roller. This is crucial to get the length equal to the thickness of your hair section. Or else, if the hair is too thick, it won’t curl effectively. Meanwhile, if the hair section is too thin, it can cook your hair.
• Use hairspray on your rolled hair sections to help lock in the curls.

Which of these heat styling mistakes are you most guilty of?