It is no secret that every woman needs a flat iron. Even though you love your tight coils, sometimes you might want to switch hairstyles and flat irons can help you achieve sleek, bone straight, and bouncy, curly hairdos. If done correctly, you will have nothing to worry about, and your natural curls will spring back to life after a couple of days or when you wash your hair. However, flat ironing your hair regularly and without following the proper technique can lead to permanent hair damage.
Stylist: @almightyexperience on Instagram
How Can Flat Ironing Damage Your Hair?
Regular use of heat is a common cause of hair breakage and damage. When hot tools like flat iron are used on the hair, they can produce too much heat. This dries out the hair by zapping all its moisture and destroying its cuticles. As a result, the hair becomes dry and brittle.
The high heat from flat ironing can also cause irreversible damage to the bonds of your hair, which eventually changes its curl pattern. This makes hair prone to frizzy episodes and difficult to style. Some signs of heat damage include:-
- Split ends
- Knots and tangles
- Rough texture
- Stringy hair
- Extremely dry hair
- Breakage and hair loss
How to Avoid Heat Damage When Flat Ironing Your Hair
Does this mean that you should not flat iron your hair at all? Absolutely not. It simply calls for caution and correct usage of flat iron and other hot styling tools on your hair. The following some of the things that you can do to prevent heat damage when flat ironing your hair:-
Avoid Using Heat on Damp HairDamp hair tends to be fragile and using hot tools such as flat irons and blow dryers on your wet strands causes extreme loss of moisture. The heat from the curling iron or blow-dryer combined with the dampness forms steam which fries up your hair, causing heat damage. You should dry your hair with a soft towel or cotton t-shirt before applying any heating tools.
Use a Surface Protectant Before Flat IroningHeat protectant sprays and oils can reduce the damage caused by flat irons and other hot styling tools. These protectants contain keratin and silicone which seal off the hair cuticles and protect your strands from losing moisture when exposed to high heat.
Minimize the Use of Hot Styling Tools
Even if you use heat protectants and flat iron or blow-dry your hair when it's dry, you are still likely to suffer heat damage if you use these styling tools every week. You should limit the number of times you flat iron your hair to once or twice monthly. If you want your styles to last longer, you should sleep with a bonnet at night and reduce manipulation.
Stylist: @trilogy__ Model: @chalicechanel on Instagram
Key Takeaway
Ultimately, you cannot avoid using flat irons, but the above tips can protect your hair from heat damage. If your hair is already damaged you should use moisture-boosting deep conditioners and hydrating creams to revive it. You should also stay away from the heat, chemicals, and hair dyes that can exacerbate dryness and breakage. Read the EAP Heat blog to get more tips on protecting your natural hair. Alternatively, feel free to contact us today for more information.
