How Often Can You Straighten Your Hair Without Damaging It?

Hair is serious business for everyone, and no one wants to ruin their luscious locks, particularly if you have spent years growing it out. We all know that heat-based styling tools are not that friendly to our hair, but we still need to use them regularly.

Begging the question, how often can you straighten your hair without damaging it?

Hair Type Matters

Everyone has a different head of hair, and your hair’s kinky, curly, or coiled up nature determines how it reacts to intense heat. Add in other factors such as pre-existing damage and it can significantly exacerbate heat styling damage.

It makes sense to start by knowing your particular hair type and general hair care needs. Address any existing issues your hair may have, for instance, if your hair tends to fall on the dry side start by moisturizing it. Handle split ends as well because excessive heat styling tends to weaken damaged ends further.

Avoid heat styling if possible, but if you must straighten your hair go about it the right way.

How To Straighten Your Hair The Right Way

Does it mean that you should hang up heat styling tools and never straighten your hair again? Definitely not, because we all want to switch things up regularly and straightening your hair is one of those ways to shake it up.

1. Firstly, you want to start out with a shampoo and conditioning session before straightening your hair. You never want to straighten dried out or brittle hair because it will be susceptible to damage.
2. Next, apply a good heat protectant before straightening your hair. It is helpful to choose a thermal heat protectant also formulated to resist humidity and ultimately offer frizz protection.
3. Section up your hair when using the flat iron to make it easier to get through all strands. Sectioning also helps in shortening the overall straightening process.
4. Use the right finishing products based on the kind of hair you have to avoid damage after straightening. Go for a hairspray with a light hold and avoid silicones as well as shine-based oils.
5. Also, use the right kind of straightener that allows you to control the temperature setting manually. Keep your straightener at a “healthy temperature,” preferably under 350 degrees. However, straightener temperatures between 300 to 350 degrees work just fine when combined with heat protectants.

How Often Is Enough To Straighten Your Hair?

So, it does help to assess the state of your hair and its particular needs as well as know how to go about the straightening process. However, it still doesn’t answer the question how often can you straighten your hair without damaging it?

Every day is a tad too much, and there is no specific, quantifiable amount of time that you should straighten your hair. The best approach is to limit straightening for special occasions or when you are going out.

Again, it is important to understand that every person’s hair will respond differently to heat styling based on the particular state of the hair.