For the Straightener Obsessed: What Heat Should I Straighten My Hair At?
I’m the go-to guide gal and routine queen here at Adore Beauty. I have a background in media and communications, and over 3 years experience in the beauty industry.
When I’m not answering all of your burning questions, you can find me spruiking underrated products to my co-workers and trying to figure out what our best bloody mascara is.
Here’s the truth: If you’re as addicted to your hot tools as we are, you’re probably at risk of damaging your hair.
That being said, there are plenty of simple things you can do to keep your hair healthy like using a heat protectant, or simply learning about heat settings.
If you’re wondering, ‘what heat should I straighten my hair at?’ Here’s our quick and easy guide to heat styling that leaves every hair type super glossy and healthy.
You’re welcome.
Heat Styling Fine and Processed Hair
If your hair is naturally fine, you need to treat it with the utmost care to avoid breakage. This is doubly true if your hair has become ultra-fragile due to processing.
If you’ve bleached, relaxed, or permed your mane, your hair cuticle is already open or damaged and heat styling can definitely further this damage.
When you're styling fine, processed hair with heat, 350°F/175°C is a safe bet. Anything over 370°F/190°C could potentially cause damage to your hair.
HOT TIP: Prepare delicate or damaged hair with a top-notch heat protectant like the GHD Straight On - Straigh & Smooth Heat Protect Spray 120mL.
Here's one of our favourite hair styling options that sticks to low temperatures while still achieving impressive results:
A Versatile Hot Tool
The Hot Tools Gold Titanium Flat Iron is an easy choice for fine or processed hair because of its versatility, professional results and smooth design. This straightener comes with 14 (yes, that’s right, 14!) heat settings ranging from 100°C-220°C, so you can stay in control over what heat you use. It uses floating Titanium plates that reduce friction and damage, and also provide silky smooth results. Plus, it straightens in a single pass to avoid pulling - so you can live snag free!
How to Heat Style Colour Treated Hair
Knowing what heat you should straighten your hair at can have other benefits. For example, toning the heat down a bit can help your hair colour last longer, as heat styling tends to compromise your already damaged cuticle further.
Turning down your heat settings to temperatures below 390°F/200°C can make a major difference in keeping your locks looking vibrant, especially with red shades that are notoriously prone to fading.
HOT TIP: Look for hydrating heat-protectants that are formulated specifically for coloured hair like the Shu Uemura Colour Lustre Thermomilk .
If you have colour-treated hair we recommend tools like this that stay at the optimal temperature and have wider plates to heat the hair quickly:
The ghd max hair straightener is the perfect straightener for those who need their hot tools to stay below 200°C. This offers an extra bit of support when you are deciding what heat you should use when straightening your hair. This tool uses dual-zone technology to maintain constant heat regulation, and keeps up the optimal styling temperature of 185°C, which is ideal for colour-treated hair. On top of this, this styler presents an elegant design and smooth contoured floating plates for your sleekest finish yet. Plus, you can count on those wider plates to get the job done in no time.
These Are Our Styling Tips for Normal Hair Types
Even if you have a fairly normal hair typer (not too oily, not too dry) hairdryers, flat irons, and curling irons can all still be hard on your hair and create damage. General tools can also make it tricky to track what heat you use when straightening your hair.
Unless your hair is exceptionally thick and hard to style, keep your heat styling tools under 400°F/200°C.
HOT TIP: Keep normal hair types silky smooth with a classic heat protectant like the evo icon welder heat protection mist 200ml, which by the way, smells absolutely delicious.
Keep It Straight
A lot of people agree that ceramic plates cause less damage, and for this reason we love the Cloud Nine The Original Iron. Not only does this hot iron have super smooth ceramic plates it also has variable heat control settings between 100°C-200°C, perfect for normal hair types. This fan favourite hair tool also has a 30 min hibernation mode as well as a 25 second heat up time for your convenience.
Style Smart When Heat Styling Natural and Textured Hair
If your hair is ultra-dense, curly, or thick, you need a lot of heat to penetrate it. Start out by styling just above 400°F/200°C. Once you get your hair styled, reduce the heat to 356°F/ 180°C.
HOT TIP: Smooth and soften unruly tresses try a serum style heat protectant to tame your mane like the Pureology Smooth Perfection Smoothing Serum 150ml. This serum will work perfectly with your Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener - Nickel/Fuchsia.
An Innovative Design
For curly, thick, unruly hair you need a straightener that works smarter. Enter: the Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener - Nickel/Fuchsia. This innovative straightener sets itself apart with flexible copper alloy plates that allow it to gather enough hair to heat it in fewer passes. Using intelligent heat design you can adjust the temperature between three precise heat settings - 165°C, 185°C and 210°C. It also can be used with a cord or cord-free making it incredibly travel friendly.
What Heat to Use with Matte Black and Cordless Tools
The ghd unplugged hair straightener - Matte Black is a cordless straightner you can take on the go. With a 45 second heat up time, this straightener can last for 20 minutes off the charger, so you can style with added flexibity, wherever you like. It's lightweight, compact design makes it perfect for travel and ideal for more fine hair types. For those with thicker hair, this styper is best for touch ups. It's smooth, rounded plates allow for the creation of a wide range of styles.
Can You Straighten Your Hair on Low Heat?
For those looking to avoid heated styling methods and the damage that can often accompany them, one question remains in mind. Can you straighten your hair on low heat?
The truth is that, yes, you can straighten your hair on low heat, but it takes time and care to achieve the best results.
Using specially designed shampoos and conditioners, towel drying techniques, wet setting with rollers and using low heat dryers are all ways to achieve a sleek, straightened look without relying on the hottest styling tools.
No matter what heat you use to straighten hair, always invest in a quality heat protectant to keep your hair in the best condition.
Get more of the best hair straightener know-how in these handy little guides...
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