4 things you need to know about heat-styling your hair

Most of us spend a decent amount of time blowing, brushing, spraying and styling our hair, in an effort to get the look we want. In fact, in the bh Hair Lover’s Survey that we ran in September, we discovered more than 70 per cent of you straighten your hair at least once a week – if not more. So it’s fair to say that many of us may be heat-styling the wrong way.
So how should you be doing it? Read on to find out if you follow the rules when heat-styling your hair...
#1 Never skip the prep step
Be honest, it’s a sin we’re all guilty of committing at least once in our styling lifetime! Cutting corners might seem insignificant, but not using a heat-protect spray before picking up your styling tool could be costing you more than you think. ghd education manager Robert Kovacs ranks it as the most important thing you can do when styling your hair. He likes ghd heat protect spray – a little sprayed through the mid-lengths and ends will go a long way in terms of protection.
#2 Know your hair type
Identifying your hair type or concerns can help you pinpoint the best way to style it. While Robert says it’s okay to heat style on a daily basis, this should only be done if your prep, hair type and tool selection tick all the right boxes. And whether you have fine, coloured, damaged or dry hair, there’s a checklist for everyone.
For hair that’s fine, dry or damaged, Robert says it’s important to be conscious of future breakage. He recommends using a tool with built-in heat control, like the ghd platinum® styler, which cleverly considers your hair’s condition while it’s styling it. “By maintaining a styling temperature of 185 degrees with an even heat distribution across the plates, the ghd platinum® styler allows for one-stroke styling, meaning you have 50 per cent less hair breakage*,” he says.
Meanwhile, colour-treated hair can often be prone to fading more quickly as a result of heat-styling. Typically this is caused by the heat of a styler being too high, or the distribution of heat too uneven. But with the ghd platinum® styler, Robert says colour fade can be combatted through temperature control. Tests conducted for ghd by scientists at Princeton University have shown it has “two times more colour integrity and fade protection” than a styler working at 230 degrees. This difference is paramount to maintaining your colour and keeping your locks safe while you style.
#3 Pick your time
In our September survey, more than one-third of you told us that your hair is frizzy or prone to flyaways, or that your style just won’t hold. Addressing these pesky issues could be as simple as switching the time of day that you style your hair. Renowned award-winning hairstylist Jayne Wild, who’s the director at Wildlife Hair in Sydney and a ghd ambassador, recommends washing and drying hair the night before. “Then in the morning when your hair is dry, you can style using ghd tools to achieve the best result in minimal time.” Tbh, a better result in less time sounds like our kind of solution.
#4 Know the technology
Contrary to popular belief, not every hair straightener is built the same. When it comes to heat-styling, you probably know terms like ionic technology in hairdryers, and how it translates to less frizz for your hair. Now here’s another one to memorise: tri-zone® technology. As Robert explains, “This means that six sensors across the styler’s plates distribute heat evenly from root to tip. This allows your style to be locked in, with one stroke, without compromising the health of your hair.” Hey, if it wasn’t this good, it wouldn’t have been voted Best Straightener at this year’s Best in Beauty Awards. Perhaps bh member Delicious Girl said it best with her comment: ”I think it is well worth its cult status.”
*vs. a styler working at 230°C.
Do you worry about the health of your hair when you heat style? What do you do to prevent damage?
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66 Member Comments
Hmm I don't always use a heat protectant either, I use a styling product to tame frizz etc sometimes..
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Guilty of forgetting to use a heat protection before using a heating tool!!!!
Thanks for the article, I need to incorporate a better routine.
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I don't use heat tools very often, but I definitely should use a heat protector more often. I should keep it with my straightener so I don't forget!
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Also, try to avoid it as much as humanly possible! You can do your best to try to protect your hair from heat damage but the best way is to try and avoid using heat styling tools completely.
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I stopped using tools for my hair due to the damage, i might start straightening it every so often again, of course wirh prep now
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I need an article about heat protectants.
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Nice post,...
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I don't straighten my hair. Even if I did, I'd probably only do it occasionally as my hair is already very dry.
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sounds more like a promo for GHD... but it's so expensive
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I've been going natural for a couple of months now because I'm scared of heat styling my hair, but I think I'll follow these steps every once in a while.
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Good steps to follow
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I used to straighten my hair but always used a heat product. if I didn't straighten my hair it would be a frizzy mess. but thanks to my new hairdresser 'chemo' I lost my hair so don't have to worry about styling. The upside of chemo is no hair to worry about washing, blow-drying and straightening. It is about 1 inch long now but it is just wash and go, so easy.
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Some really great tips!!!!
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I do use heat tools on my hair, but i always use a spray on protect
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I don't style my hair and I can't afford to lose any hair at all - other than normal shedding. Made for an interesting read anyway
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Definitely know your hair type! I also use argan or Moroccan oil in my hair to stop it drying out if I use a lot of heat products, and seems to work a charm
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Yeah I do worry about health of my hair when heat styling! I try to always use a heat protectant.
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Now I want a GHD after reading this! I currently have a Remmington.
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I straighten my hair at least three times a week so these tips are great. I like to use a little Argan Oil on the ends. The heat of my straightener helps keep them in good condition. A good hair treatment the night before also helps.
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I don't heat-style my hair very often, but when I do I always use heat protection spray.
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Great tips. I do try to wash my hair the night before and style in the morning.
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I noticed my colour has turned golden likely from using a tool, maybe it's reacting with a product
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Interesting. Great to know.
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Guilty of skipping step one. I’ll have to take a lot more care in future.
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I would totally love do do this, however if I wash my hair the night before, I will wake up with flat greasy hair and trust me no amount of styling will help. This is why I never style my hair, I would have to do it every day and get extreme heat damage. I just air dry my hair and hope for the best.
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