Dear hair,
If you behaved in the first place, we wouldn’t have to do this the hard way.
Sincerely,
Girl with a flat iron
Whether your hair is sticking out or is absolutely unmanageable, a flat iron or straightener can immediately come to the rescue. While a flat iron can give you the hair of your dreams, it too comes with its own set of drawbacks. Slowly, you’ll notice that your hair is turning dry, limp and downright ugly. And, that’s because you’re not taking enough precautions while ironing your hair on a regular basis.
Did you know that the quality and texture of your hair gets tampered in the process of ironing daily? And that’s not all! If the damage is severe, it’s hard to repair and bring your tresses back to life. The only option then would be to chop your damaged tresses, and you obviously don’t want that, do you? Therefore, here are all the precautions you must take:
- Tip #1: Never iron wet hair
- Tip #2: Pamper your tresses
- Tip #3: Use high-quality products
- Tip #4: Set the temperature right
- Tip #5: Know how to iron correctly
Tip #1: Never iron wet hair
Wet hair is in its most fragile state, which means, it is easily prone to breakage and damage. When you use a flat iron on moist or damp hair, it can lead to cracking of the cuticles and leave your hair looking lacklustre. And that’s not all! If you iron wet hair too often, then it could also burn your hair and cause irreversible damage. It is, therefore, ideal to first use a blow-dryer to dry your hair and then go in with a flat iron. This way, you can avoid 70 per cent of the damage done to the hair by heat-styling tools.
Tip #2: Pamper your tresses
If you regularly use your flat iron, then it’s important to take equal care of your tresses. Firstly, oiling before every wash is crucial. It will make your hair smooth, healthy and manageable. Secondly, apply hair serums or home-made hair masks once a week to prevent damage. And lastly, indulge in a hair spa at least once a month. A regular hair spa will not only help you get rid of dirt and contaminants but also improve the overall texture of your hair, making it strong, bouncy and shiny.
Tip #3: Use high-quality products
The products you use to shampoo and condition on a daily basis can make all the difference to your hair. It is, therefore, important to use a moisturising and nourishing shampoo and conditioner. And, if you have dry hair, then using a leave-in conditioner can be your best bet. Using high-quality hair care products will not only add body and volume to your mane but also smoothen frizz and add shine.
Tip #4: Set the temperature right
With flat irons, it’s all about setting the right temperature. Whatever the texture of your hair, remember to never ever exceed 200-degree centigrade. Stay away from the hottest heat setting which is typically around 450 degree. Exposing your hair to too much heat can cause concerns such as split ends and breakage. Anywhere between 180-200 degree is ideal for people with good hair. And, if you have extremely dry hair, then we suggest you set the temperature somewhere between 140 and 160 degrees.
Tip #5: Know how to iron correctly
Yes, there is a right method and technique to iron your hair. Start by dividing your hair into small sections. Then, take a clean section of hair and clamp on the flat iron at the root. Twist the iron about 45 degrees downward to create tension and smooth the iron down to the ends very slowly. Avoid going over and over the same piece as that can cause your hair to burn.
Written by Fatema Habib on Dec 20, 2019