If you ever thought that heat-styling tools with temperature settings were just an unnecessary luxury, think again! The way most of us usually use a straightener or curling iron is we wait till it gets hot enough to give us the results we need. After hurriedly applying a heat-protectant spray all over our mane, we run the straightener through, without thinking about how much damage it is causing to our strands. Heat styling damage can lead to dull hair that is prone to breakage. It can also ruin the texture of your hair in the long run. And regardless of the heat protection you use, it does strip off a big chunk of moisture from your strands. But if the temperature is wrong too, it only gets worse.
01What is the ideal temperature for heat-styling hair?
It is true that heat settings vary depending on the density and texture of your hair. Thin and feathery hair should be left to the lowest setting, while coarse textures are best tackled with the higher settings. For instance, you can style fine hair correctly with a temperature setting between 70-140 degrees celsius. This is also true for colour-treated hair as higher temperatures can cause further damage and colour fading over time. Normal hair can be styled at 180 degrees celsius, while thick, coarse hair would need a temperature of about 200 degrees celsius. This rule applies to all kinds of heat-styling tools. Curling irons, curling rods, flat irons, blowout brushes and straighteners all function within the same limits. The best way to figure out your ideal temperature would be to ask a professional. The next time you are in for a salon appointment, get your stylist's opinion on the setting you should use while heat-styling your hair for the least amount of damage.
02How does the heat setting affect your styling results?
There is another downside to having the temperature setting wrong. Too hot and your hair falls limp thanks to dryness or worse still, lands up looking frizzy; which means the style won't last long. Too cold and your straightener will pull on your hair unnecessarily, without actually adding any styling benefit. The rule of thumb should be to watch your hair closely. If you notice any burning smell or see steam or smoke, your styling tool is too hot. On the other hand, if you have to keep going over a single section of hair just to get it to hold, your styling tool is too cold. Simple! Pro tip : If you tend to heat style your hair on a daily basis, reverse some of its damaging effects by adding extra TLC to it. Wash your hair with the Tresemme Hair Spa Rejuvenation Shampoo and follow up with the TIGI Bed Head Urban Anti-Dote Recovery Level 2 Conditioner to repair heat damage. These products nourish your strands and help keep hair loss at bay!
