How Damaging is Straightening Your Hair?
November 19th, 2009 | Published in How Damaging is Straightening Your Hair?
In the 1980s it was all about crimped hair, but around came the 1990s and it was all about as straight hair. But with the constant use of hot irons to create the latest look, came the issue of heat damage. Broken, brittle and dry hair were just some of the side effects of the early hair straighteners. Not to forget the many burnt scalps from where girls would take it to the next step in finding ultra straight hair and bent over their Mothers ironing board with a iron in their hands.
The lack of technology in hair straighteners meant that hair would have to be ironed constantly for many minutes before it reached the desired style. The outcome of this must have been worth it right? No, unfortunately not. Dry, brittle and unmanageable hair was the long term effects and not the shiny, styled hair that was required.
Thank goodness time and technology has moved on. Nowadays, although hair straighteners have a hefty price tag, it is because they have the technology that supposedly styles your hair without damaging it.
This technology is ceramic heating elements, which are a lot more effective than any other irons as it reaches high temperatures very quickly. High temperatures mean the hydrogen bonds in the hair will be broken quicker (the bond that makes the hair curly), and the quicker the desired hair style will be obtained. Many hair straighteners brands say they use ionic and infra red technology which claims to seal in the moisture and natural oils of the hair. Therefore, being good for your hair.
Although the technology suggests that straighteners are now quite safe to use on hair, it does depend greatly on your own hair type. People with very thick, wavy hair will need more time to style it, therefore increasing the risk of damage. It is suggested that straighteners should be used only every couple of days at maximum. That way your will be minimizing the long term affects that heat will do to your hair.
Many companies now do heat protection and straighteners sprays to help reduce the damage. Whether these products do actually work, or whether they are just a extra way for the company to make more money is completely down to your personal view.
If you do find that your hair is being damaged by straightening it, there are a few tips you should follow.
- Invest in a good pair of straighteners. Yes they can be expensive, but the cheaper ones will leave your hair less than desirable. Make sure they are ceramic and use the Internet to read reviews.
- Reduce the amount you use your straighteners. Just keep them for the special occasion.
- Try different heat protection sprays.
If you follow the industries tips above, you should have no problems in keeping the styled hair your require nice and healthy.