Reducing the damage of hair straighteners

Millions undergo the practice of straightening their hair each and every day, some in fact carrying on the process several times throughout the day. The idea of being able to tame curly or frizzy hair into sleek, manageable and elegant styles without the need for a hairdresser is indeed appealing, which is furthered by the fact that none of the dangerous chemicals used by professionals need to be added into the mix. However, just because the chemicals are taken out of the equation does not mean that home straightening cannot significantly damage hair, which is something that all users of straighteners should be aware of in order to limit the damage as much as possible.

Straightening irons are essentially tools which afford a temporary solution to the problem of overly wavy, curly and flyaway hair so as to keep it tamed. The irons work by altering the structure of the hair which can remain in its new form until it is exposed to moisture. Unfortunately, all such straighteners have the potential to cause damage to the hair, though this is largely avoidable if the correct measures are taken. Sadly, many do not take such considerations into account and the result can be dry, frizzy and fragile hair that becomes more and more difficult to straighten each and every time.



Hair straighteners of the past were rather poorly designed and essentially somewhat brutal to the hair, using extreme heat and primitive materials to achieve the desired effect. Needless to say, one of the very best and most important ways of preserving hair health is therefore to ensure that the very best modern straighteners are used, specifically those which draw attention to their kind characteristics. Of course, any extreme heat is always going to leave its mark on hair health, which is why it is essential to also include the use of a high quality heat protection spray or treatment.

Treatments for the protection of hair against heat are available in countless different forms, which include creams, lotions and the ever-popular sprays. While each and every example will likely look very different and boast its own unique characteristics, they all essentially work in exactly the same way – which is to add moisture to the hair in order to withstand the heat of the iron, while offering a good level of UVA protection.

Needless to say, instructions for application and use will differ greatly across the board but it is always important to remember never to get carried away and use too much of the chosen product. While it may seem logical that more product will offer more protection, overuse can lead to greasiness, matting and buildup on the scalp which can result in a variety of health complaints.

Thankfully, most modern heat protection products have come along leaps and bounds just in the same way that the irons themselves have, therefore it would be wise to opt for the most modern and refined examples to be found that display evidence of development and research.

There are also other ways to protect the overall health of the hair by using a little common sense alongside the chose preparations. For example, if it becomes noticeable that the ends of the hair are becoming more and more difficult to take, consider a minor trim rather than continual use of the irons themselves. Furthermore, using an iron on an excessively regular basis so as to tidy up the odd stray hair here and there is a hugely counterproductive practice, as it will not be long before the problem grows into something entirely less manageable.

Essentially, the very best way of promoting health hair for the long term is to undergo something of a proactive education process along the way which is far from the level of online degrees, so as to establish the very best tools and products for the job at hand. Nowadays, there are straightening irons and treatment sprays for each and every hair time imaginable – all of which offer unique compositions for the use on specific hair types. Universal treatment can be great, but those tailored to suit always offer far more.

Finally, it is essential to ensure that a generally positive set of practices are undertaken outside the straightening issue, including regular but not over-washing, the use of the very best conditioners and frequent deep-level treatments and leave-in preparations to repair damage and boost strength against future exposure.

(Guest Post by Susan Black)

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