How to NOT Cook Hair While Heat Styling

The use of heat styling tools have gotten popular as it gives you 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, a lot of 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 tool uses heat to quickly dry your hair 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-degree Celsius. Each strand of your hair has a maximum heat capacity to withstand and that is the safety net for your hair, so to speak. If you expose it to a higher level of heat, the cuticle will become 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 cool air setting to dry your hair.
• When your hair is almost dry, lower the heat. Do not use the same level of heat all throughout.
• An attachment known as diffuser can be used along 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 amount of heat without compromising the ability to dry it.

Curling Irons

• When it comes to choosing a heat setting on your curling iron, you need to be more cautious. 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 be enough to allow you to bend or curl your hair to your desired style. When you use heat beyond 230 degree Celsius, it can cook your hair! In addition, you won’t get as much shine on your hair as the cuticle is broken down by the heat.
• 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 to quickly heat and curl 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 and use heat protection.
• Work with each section of your hair that is the same thickness as the size of the roller. This is crucial to get the size 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 a hairspray on your rolled hair sections to help lock in the curls.

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