Does Straightening Your Hair Damage It?

If you have a hair straightener or flat iron, you may worry about frying your hair every time you use it. Does straightening your hair damage it? There’s some merit to that concern.

Flat irons use heat to straighten textured hair or wavy hair (or smooth out straight hair), and they work by weakening the hydrogen bonds of your hair. These bonds are what make you have naturally wavy or curly hair, and when they’re weakened by heat, strands take on the shape provided by the straightener.

In some cases, excess heat can create damage. But lots of people prefer how their hair looks and feels when it’s straight — and using hot tools to achieve that vibe from time to time is okay. Still, it’s important to know how to avoid damage if you straighten your hair regularly.

Below, we’ll explain how straightening your hair can cause damage, how to straighten hair without damaging it, and best practices for styling with hot tools.

Put simply, yes. Excessive exposure to heat can damage your hair.

How does straightening your hair damage it? Here’s the gist:

• Flat ironing can warp hair proteins. Each strand has a protective outer layer. Also known as the hair cuticle, this layer shields the inner proteins. When hair gets too hot, the proteins lose their shape and structure. This process is called denaturation. It can lead to split ends and tangles.

• Heat dries out your hair. Each strand contains proteins, water, and oil. When heat is applied, the proteins and oils in your hair get zapped, and some of the water molecules also evaporate. When hair loses water, it loses moisture, which can make it look brittle and frizz out.

Keep in mind that even mild, indirect heat (like warm air from a blow dryer) can cause damaged hair when it’s sustained for long enough.

And heat can be especially harmful to wet hair. In fact, your hair is at its weakest and most likely to break when wet, whether due to excessive heat or tension.

Although using hot tools like a straightener can damage your hair, there are steps you can take to make the process safer and reduce your risk of heat damage.

So, without further ado, here’s how to straighten hair without damaging it (as much).

1. Make Sure Your Hair Is Clean and Prepped

Establish a haircare routine that includes a good shampoo and conditioner combo to fortify your hair. Look for ingredients that reduce breakage and increase moisture.

This will set a healthy foundation. Anything that boosts hydration is welcome too.

2. Let Your Hair Dry Before Straightening

Waiting for your hair to dry before you start styling it — especially when in a hurry — can be tedious. We get it. But it’s really crucial to let your hair fully dry before applying heat from a straightener or curling iron to prevent damaging it.

Dry your hair by wrapping it in a towel or letting it air dry.

3. Use a Blow Dryer on a Low Setting Beforehand

Another way to expedite dry hair if you don’t have time to air dry it? Blow drying it on a low heat setting.

Bear in mind, giving yourself a blowout can also cause heat damage. Holding the blow dryer at least six inches from your hair can help prevent extra damage and dryness.

4. Use Your Straightener on a Low Setting

According to one study, hair can start to melt when heat is applied at temperatures between 442 and 464 degrees Fahrenheit.

So, when you straighten your hair, set your straightener to a low or medium heat setting. Try to use the lowest setting that works well for your hair type.

Most stylists recommend keeping straightener temperature settings somewhere between 200 and 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Also, high-quality styling tools tend to have more reliable and precise heat settings.

5. Consider Using a Heat Protectant

Heat protectant sprays, creams, and serums promise to prevent damage from straighteners and curling irons.

There’s no large-scale research on their effectiveness, but anecdotally, lots of folks claim they help prevent frizz, flyaways, and damage. So it might be worth a try.

6. Try Not to Re-Straighten the Same Sections

Be careful not to straighten the same section twice in one styling session. This can, of course, sometimes happen by accident, especially if you have long hair.

To prevent that from happening, separate your hair into small sections with hair clips. That way, you’ll know which areas have been ironed and which haven’t.

You should also avoid holding the straightener against your hair for too long.

7. Avoid Brushing Your Hair Repeatedly

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to brush your hair 50, 100, or 200 times a day to keep it healthy and shiny. In fact, too much brushing is more likely to damage your hair and contribute to split ends.

Instead of brushing your hair daily, only brush it when you need to detangle it. (We realize that for some, this may be every day).

When you do brush your hair, be careful to avoid tugging on it, as this can cause breakage and thinning. A wide-toothed comb can help prevent this.

8. Be Careful With Overly Tight Hairstyles

Sleek, tightly tied-back hair can look great, but it’s best to avoid wearing it this way daily.

Why? Super tight, pulled-back hairstyles can put tension on your hair follicles and contribute to a form of hair loss known as traction alopecia (sometimes called ponytail hair loss). Other hairstyles can also cause traction alopecia, including:

• Buns

• Cornrows

• Dreadlocks

• Tightly braided hair

• Up-dos

This kind of hair loss can also develop with weaves and hair extensions.

Find answers to frequently asked questions about hair straighteners and heat damage below.

How Often Can You Straighten Your Hair Without Damaging It?

Any heat exposure could lead to damage — but the less you do it, and the lower the heat setting, the better. In general, never straighten your hair or use any heat tool on it more than once a day.

That said, it’s usually okay to straighten your hair a few times a week if you use the tips above. Also, keep in mind that different hair types have different thresholds:

• Thin or fine hair is more prone to heat damage, so it won’t be able to withstand high heat as regularly as other types of hair.

• Also, the straighter and thinner the hair, the less time it’ll take to get the desired effect from a straightener.

• Thick hair can usually withstand more heat, but it might require a blow dryer to dry it completely before reaching for a straightener.

Straight hair tends to be fine, whereas coily and curly hair can also be thin and dry. So it’s more about thickness than shape when it comes to heat threshold.

What Happens If I Straighten Wet Hair?

When you straighten wet hair, you’re essentially boiling the water, which can make your hair so hot that it burns your hair. If you get into the habit of doing this, it will probably cause damage.

To be sure, there are tools called “wet-to-straight” flat irons that essentially release the hot steam through holes in the metal plates. This might be better than using a regular straightener on damp hair but may still cause damage over time.

What Does Damaged Hair Look Like?

Damaged hair can manifest as frizzy hair with lots of flyaways or look brittle and dull. It might also look frayed because, when damaged, hair is more prone to breakage and split ends.

Beyond that, hair that’s been through the wringer may struggle to grow long or shed easily.

How Can I Treat Heat-Damaged Hair?

One review points out that heat- or chemical-damaged hair is more porous. If it’s damaged, it’s even more porous than usual. This can make it harder for strands to retain moisture. But over time, and with certain techniques, hair can recover.

Here are a few tips that’ll be especially helpful for heat-damaged curly, coily, or fine hair:

• Add moisture back in. Do a hydrating hair mask or deep conditioning treatment in the shower, or use a leave-in conditioner once a week.

• Take a break from heat styling. This may sound like a big challenge, but if you let your natural hair do its thing for a while, it can start to heal.

• Avoid chemicals. In general, hair dye, bleach, and chemical hair treatments can contribute to hair damage.

• Wear looser hairstyles. Try styles that don’t tug at your hair follicles for a while, like a low ponytail.

Get regular trims. Another key to healthy hair is snipping off damaged ends. According to some stylists, split ends can fray quicker than hair grows.

Does straightening your hair damage it? Yes, it can.

Heat exposure and damage can change hair’s texture and increase the risk of hair breakage. In severe cases, it can even contribute to female hair loss.

Remember, heat can be damaging no matter what, but there are some ways to keep your tresses healthier while straightening them:

• Avoid overusing your straightener or curling iron, and hold your blow dryer at least six inches away from your head when using it.

• Don’t straighten your hair when it’s wet, and keep the setting around 300 degrees or below to be on the safe side.

• Keep your hair nice and hydrated with moisturizing products. This will help strengthen it.

Looking for other ways to strengthen your hair? Our range of haircare products includes salon-quality shampoo, conditioner, and hair growth treatments to help you maintain healthier, thicker hair.