Home LivingWellnessBeautyGroomingExpert reveals the exact temperature you should style your hairExcessive heat can lead to damage and drynessWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingWellnessBeautyGroomingExpert reveals the exact temperature you should style your hairExcessive heat can lead to damage and drynessWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Excessive heat can lead to damage and dryness
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: CLOUD NINE)
(Image credit: CLOUD NINE)
The frequency of heated tools being used when styling hair is increasing, with some beauty lovers using heat three or four times per week. Whether you’re a fan of thebest straighteners,curlersandhot brushes, or tend to just stick to ahair dryer,it’s likely that you use heat on your hair one way or another.
The study confirmed that styling hair at 150 degrees is hugely beneficial to keeping hair healthy for longer, as opposed to 200 degrees which can cause excessive damage. Keep reading to find out why…
Before you do, have you readhow you can create the best haircare routine for your hair type?
Straight hair
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Straight hair is hair that naturally lies flat or straight, with no hint of any curl pattern or wave on this hair type.
Using 150 degrees or less on naturally straight hair creates a small lack of elasticity, meaning our hair tresses will become limp, stretched out, and then prone to damage. However, the cuticles remain closed and flat, maintaining your hair’s hydration balance and flexibility.
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Higher temperatures on straight hair causes breakages to the hair shaft, causing split ends to appear. The hair will start to dry and the cuticles crack. At this stage of heat, the helices of the hair protein begin to melt causing irreversible damage.
Wavy hair
(Image credit: Ohlamour Studio / Stocksy)
(Image credit: Ohlamour Studio / Stocksy)
Styling wavy hair at 150 degrees is far better than 200 degrees. With 150 degrees, there is no lack of elasticity and the hair cuticles have shingles that are closed and flat, meaning the hair is still protected and water molecules are still present.
Curly Hair
(Image credit: The Guardian)
(Image credit: The Guardian)
At 150 degrees or less, the hair cuticles on curly hair are closed and flat, meaning they are protected. The curl pattern will be unaffected and remain healthy with minimal lasting damage.
When 200 degrees is applied to curly hair, there will be breakages as the hair begins to melt. The shaft will get split ends becoming dry and brittle as cuticles crack. When regularly using a styler at 220°C, the hair tresses show a reduction in reversion and shift to lower curl types.
Kinky hair
(Image credit: iStock)
(Image credit: iStock)
Kinky hair is very tight, textured hair. Often referred to as ‘afro-hair’, the hair has a zig-zag pattern and can be fine, dry, soft or coarse.
How to keep your hair healthy
There are many things you can do to keep your hair in top condition, without compromising on the heat-required hairstyles you love.
- Limit heat use
The best thing about styling your hair with tools is that the results can last for a couple of days. This means you can rework the hairstyle, making it last rather than needing to apply heat every day.
- Use temperature variation
Use heat styling tools that have Variable Temperature Control between 100-200 degrees, so you can use lower heat when necessary, reducing damage to the hair shaft. Using temperatures 185 degrees or below causes the least amount of damage to all hair types. The hair loses the least amount of elasticity in this range and the cuticles remain mostly closed.
- Use heat protectants
Always prep your hair before applying any heat. Using ourMagical Potionheat protect spray, the lightweight conditioners will work to protect hair from heat damage. Heat protectants such as ourMagical Potion sprayadd a protective layer to the hair cuticles, stopping them from rising and opening meaning they are less prone to damage and breakage. Heat protection sprays also seal moisture in the hair, preventing it from becoming dry or brittle, whilst smoothing and sealing the hair.
Already struggling with dry hair? Read theseexpert-approved tipsthat will get rid of your dry and damaged hair.
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