Ever wonder if you’re using the right temperature to straighten your hair? While you can’t completely stop heat damage from occurring when using heat styling tools on your hair, one feature that has done a lot to help minimise it is the temperature control function. Not all straighteners have it, but with the ones with temperature control, you’ll see a difference in your hair’s health and the final result when you’re using the right temperature. But how do you know the right temperature for your hair?
In this article, we’re focusing on helping you style and care for your hair better. A key aspect is using the right temperature. So, keep reading to find out what temperature you should use to straighten your hair.
What is so important about using the right straightener?
Hair comes in all colours, textures, and lengths, which means that a straightener that works perfectly for someone with short, fine hair is not going to necessarily be the best choice for someone with thick, curly hair and vice versa.
When it comes to straightening hair, you need to find one that has been developed to suit your hair type, or else sizzling off some strands could be a possible reality. Ultimately, as much as you want your hair to look sleek and stylish, you don’t want to completely compromise its health for results – after all, healthy hair looks better! Different straighteners use materials that can be better suited to different hair types:
- Tourmaline straighteners are best for those with curly hair when heated because this material can effectively straighten hair even at lower temperatures
- Ceramic straighteners, like some GHD hair straighteners, are best for fine or curly hair due to their ability to disperse heat evenly, and the plates won’t get as hot as other materials
- Titanium straighteners are usually the best option for thick and curly hair as they heat up fast and are able to maintain a high heat well
Another reason you need to use the right straighter is to get the best hairstyles. Your looks might not be serving as much as you’d like them to because you’re either using too much heat, which is causing a lot of damage, or you’re not using enough to effectively straighten out all the kinks and curls. Choosing a straightener with a temperature control feature will ensure you’re using the optimum level of heat to help get your perfectly straightened hair.
What temperature should you use to straighten hair?
The key to achieving perfectly styled hair is to know your hair well, and one crucial detail you need to know that won’t just impact your ability to style it but keep it healthy is what type of hair you have. How do you know what type of hair you have? Well, you need to look at its:
- Texture – the thickness (width) of each strand and the shape it takes (straight, wavy, curly, etc.)
- Density – the number of strands of hair on your scalp
- Porosity – your hair’s ability to absorb and hold moisture
- Previous damage – previous treatments that have caused damage will impact
The easiest way to know your hair type is to wash it as usual but then let it air dry completely without using any products. How your hair falls will give you a good indication of what your hair type is. Here are the best temperatures to use depending on your hair type:
- 100°C is the best temperature for fragile, fine or synthetic hair
- 160°C is the best temperature for fine or damaged hair
- 180°C is the best temperature for chemically treated hair and natural hair
- 230°C is the best temperature for ultra-thick hair
Is it necessary to use heat protectant spray?
As we’ve mentioned, healthy hair is the most beautiful, and while newer hair straighteners have features to help minimise heat damage, it can still occur. So, to help protect your hair as much as possible when straightening your hair, it is necessary to use heat-protectant products.
Final Thoughts
For gorgeously sleek hairstyles and to maintain your hair’s health, you need to get the temperature of your straightener right according to your hair type. The best way to control temperature is to buy a straightener with a temperature control function.
