How Does Straightening Damage Your Hair

Hair straightening has become one of the most popular go-tos for hair styling nowadays. It’s fast, convenient, and provides ladies with a sleek, classic, and versatile hairstyle to match what they wear and the look they’re going for. But, does using a hair straightener damage your hair? You would think not with how many ladies use one, but the answer is slightly more complicated than a simple yes or no. Join us as we uncover whether or not a hair straightener damages your hair. 

Does straightening damage your hair? 

The simple answer here is yes, straightening can damage your hair if you don’t take the necessary precautions. Keratin, a key component in the hair cortex, is bound together by hydrogen bonds. These molecules are slightly flexible, which allows your hair to twist and contort while you style it. Straightening your hair can cause damage because of the heat applied by the straightener, reducing the flexibility in your hair and resulting in damage.  

How straightening damages your hair

Here’s a closer look at how straightening damages your hair. In general, there are three ways in which your hair gets damaged when it’s being straightened. The first way is that it gets dehydrated. Second, protein is broken down, and third, the hydrogen bonds are weakened. 

How your hair dehydrates

When you expose your hair to high heat, it can be stripped of the natural moisture it holds. This causes your hair to dry out and ultimately become more brittle. Now, this doesn’t happen all the time. In most cases, this happens because you’re allowing the straightener to stay in one place for too long or you have the heat set too high. 

Protein breakdown

Like we said earlier, Keratin, a protein that gives the hair its strength and structure, can get damaged because of the heat. This makes your hair more fragile and brittle and can also cause frizz. As a result, your hair could break, develop split ends, and become more challenging to work with. 

How to avoid damaging your hair

Before you straighten your hair, there are a few things you can do to ensure that it doesn’t get damaged. Here’s what we recommend:

Use a lower heat setting

Many people think that if they turn the heat up on their straightener, they will be able to dry their hair faster. Unfortunately, while this may work to draw the moisture out of your hair faster, it can also be the reason for the damage. 

Turning down the heat on your straightener can ensure that it doesn’t damage your hair as fast. Sure, you may need to do one or two more passes to get the straight hair you’re looking for, but it’ll protect your hair more. 

Don’t use harsh chemicals

If you can, avoid using harsh chemicals on your hair. Chemicals like perming or colouring solutions can further weaken or damage your hair, putting you on the back-foot already when you straighten your hair. Rather opt for hair products that have natural nutrients in them that will leave your hair looking and feeling healthier. 

Use heat protectant spray

This is essential for any heat styling tools. Heat protectant sprays coat your hair with a protective layer, locking moisture in and ensuring that your hair remains healthy when exposed to heat. The benefit of these products is that many of them also include beneficial ingredients that can have a positive impact on your hair. So, not only do they protect your hair, but they also improve its health. 

Buying the right straightener

There’s a lot of discussion around which hair straightener you should buy. Should you go cheap and get the most affordable hair straightener, or spend a little more for a better quality? 

Our opinio would always be that of the latter. The best option doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg. GHD hair straighteners are available at affordable prices. These straighteners are made with better quality materials and perform considerably better than the cheaper straighteners. While they may cost more, they'll last you longer and do a better job with your hair.

Final thoughts

Let’s recap. Hair straighteners can most certainly damage your hair if they are used incorrectly. Common mistakes ladies make are using the straightener at too high a temperature, leaving it on their hair for too long, straightening their hair while it is soaking and buying a bad quality straightener. Following the tips we’ve given above, you can avoid damaging your hair and ensure you’re always looking your best.