Do's And Don't Of Straightening Your Hair

Whether it’s on the runway or in advertising campaigns sleek and smooth hair is always in fashion. For years, it’s been the go-to hairstyle of models and celebrities for red carpet events and after parties. There was a time when it was only available in salons, but hair straightening has become more accessible in the past decade. More and more women are investing in this fantastic styling tool to regain control of their hair and create new styles. But straightening your hair can seem challenging if you’ve never tried it before.  Plus even the most expert straightening fans can get their technique and care wrong. So to make sure you create the sleek and long styles you desire and keep your hair in fantastic condition, use these do’s and don’ts to help you.

Do: Apply a heat protectant product before use

Heat damage is something you need to avoid at all costs. It can make your hair highly vulnerable, causing it to become dry, brittle and straw-like. So before you begin to straighten your hair you need to ensure you use a heat protectant product. These are available from salons, stores and online and cater to many different hair types. You could use a serum, spray or hair primer depending on your personal preference. You may need to experiment with different products until you find one that you like. Also, read online reviews from previous customers to see which products you should consider buying that are good value for money. These products will create a barrier that works with the Sedu flat irons to create a sleek and straight style. While also protecting the hair from heat damage. Heat protectants can also protect your hair from the sun and other styling tools such as curling tongs and dryers. So make sure you use them each day and ensure it covers every part of your hair for maximum coverage. Pay particular attention to your roots and ends which often experience the most amount of heat from the iron.

Don’t: Use a temperature that is too high or low

If your hair straightener has a dial which allows you to control the heat it can reach, don’t be tempted to turn it up too high. You may think that this could enhance the irons capabilities and give you faster results. You may also be tempted to crank up the heat if you’re experimenting with a new hairstyle. The high temperatures can damage your hair follicles, dry out your hair and increase the chances of you burning your scalp or hands. These are all things you obviously will want to avoid but having too low a temperature could also be damaging to your hair. If your straighteners are not hot enough, it’s likely you will have to repeated run them through your hair to get rid of the waves and kinks. So instead of just running one layer of heat over your hair, you could actually be running multiple layers instead. Again, causing heat damage to your hair and scalp. Hair care professionals have recommended a temperature of 365 degrees. This will create the sleek effect you desire quickly and safely with minimum damage. Brush your hair thoroughly before using your straightening iron to allow smooth and easy application. Also, make sure you do not clamp and hold the hair for extended periods of time as this could singe and burn your hair no matter what temperature it is at.

Do: Section your hair before you begin

There is nothing worse than spending hours straightening your hair, only to realise you’ve missed a part. It can be easy to miss pieces of hair if you’re in a rush and just grab whichever piece takes your fancy. But you don’t want to walk around with poker straight hair at the front and waves and curls at the back. The best way of avoiding this and creating a more polished finish is by sectioning your hair before you begin. Part your hair down the middle to create two sections. You can then separate these into smaller parts that you feel comfortable working with. This will usually depend on how thick and long your hair is. Try not to create sections that are too thick or the heat from the iron will be less effective. Now you can work your way around your head, straightening as you go. This sectioning process may seem like it will extend the amount of time you spend straightening. But it will save you time by giving you more control. Always begin from the roots and work down the hair, not up and avoid going over the same piece of hair multiple times.

Don’t: Use on wet hair

This is an essential tip you must abide by if you want your hair to remain in a healthy condition. Hair should always be dry all over before you start using your straightening tool. So make sure it has enough time to dry naturally or use a hair dryer for faster results. While it’s essential that you use a heat protectant when using heated styling tools, using too much can also be damaging. Think carefully about how much product you are using and how it makes your hair feel when applied. If your hair steams and sizzles when the iron is applied, it is almost certainly too wet and you should stop immediately. If you continue, you will burn your hair follicles and take all the moisture out of your hair. So stick to small amounts of products which you can add to if you need to and refrain from use until you are happy your hair is completely dry.

If you’ve been straightening your hair for years or if you’re just starting out, these do’s and don’ts should help you. You will achieve glossy, straight hair every time with ease.  As wonderful as having straight hair is refrain from straightening too often. This will reduce the damage to your hair and keep it in tip-top condition.