Should You Use A Hot Iron On Damaged Hair?

Anyone who's ever wielded a hairdryer knows that heat is bad for your hair. In fact, there's lots of ways in which hair can be damaged, and usually it's in pursuit of the perfect look.

If your hair has been damaged, are hair irons a no go for you? Not always. Here's how to avoid damage if you can, and tips on using heated tools responsibly. You can have awesome looking hair and keep it healthy!

How hair can be damaged

There's several different ways in which hair can be damaged. Here's a few you should be aware of:

• Heat damage: This is something nearly everyone is guilty of, as they've all used heated styling tools at one time or another. Whether it's flat irons, hairdryers or curling wands, they're all capable of damaging your hair. If used for too long or too often, they're even capable of burning your hair.

• Hair dye: If used incorrectly, hair dye can really cause damage to your hair. It can strip out moisture from it, leaving it dry, brittle, and prone to breakage.

• Sun damage: Every sun worshipper should be aware of the damage the sun can do to their hair. If it's not protected with product or a suitable hat, it can burn your hair and scalp.

Are styling tools a no go on damaged hair?

Not necessarily. Just because your hair currently has damage, it doesn't mean that you have to ditch the hair curler set for good. Instead, you just need to use them responsibly.

Eventually you'll have to cut your hair, and so the damaged parts will be cut out. The new hair growth will be fine, and so you just need to learn how to use hair styling tools without causing further damage.

How to use curling irons responsibly

Here are some essential tips for using your favorite hair styling tools. Keep them in mind the next time you reach for the hair curl iron!

• Know your heat settings: When you're buying your styling tools, pick those that are good quality. Better tools have a range of heat settings on them, meaning you can pick the temperature that's right for you and your hair.

• The quick rule is that the finer your hair, the less heat it needs. However, if you have super thick hair you don't need to use the highest setting. It's rare that hair actually needs to be fried like that in order to keep its style.

• Work with your natural hair texture: You can do amazing things with flat irons and professional curling wands, but that doesn't mean that you can make your hair do something that it doesn't want to do. That means if you have super thick, curly hair, trying to make it lie flat is a bad idea. The same goes if you have very fine, straight hair. Trying to make it hold a curl can be a bad idea in the long run. Use tools to enhance the look of your hair, not fight against it.

• Use heat protection: Nowadays there's a huge range of products out there that can counteract some of the damage done by hair styling tools. Before you use any kind of heat on your hair, use a heat protection product first. These usually contain silicone, which coats the hair strands and protects it from the heat.

• Also, while using heated tools, try to work quickly. Get through sections fast be only using the tools for a few seconds at a time. That's enough for them to work but they'll still have the desired effect.

• Ask a professional: Professionals know their stuff, so why not pick their brains? Ask your hair stylist for advice on how to style your hair and avoid damaging it. You'll find they have a whole host of tricks up their sleeves, including some you would never even have thought of.

• Limit your usage: Sorry to break your heart, professional curler addicts, but to really avoid damaging your hair further you need to limit your usage of heated tools. Try only blow drying your hair every other day, or using the curling tongs only at the weekend. The less you use them, the better off your hair will be.

So, it is possible to use hair irons on damaged hair, but you need to be careful about how you use them. Once damage is done it's not usually reversible, so you want to avoid damaging it further.

Once you've cut out the damaged parts though, you can work on keeping the new hair looking and feeling as healthy as possible. It is possible to keep using your styling tools without damaging your precious hair!