To straighten hair with a flat iron, you need to ensure that the hair and the iron are properly prepared. This involves both cleaning the iron and preparing the hair before applying heat.
Preparing Your Flat Iron
First, ensure the flat iron is completely cool before attempting to clean it. This is important because sometimes the plates will have residue from hair products, making the heat transfer less effective.
- Cool Down: Always make sure your flat iron is completely cool before cleaning. This is to prevent burns.
- Clean Plates: Remove any buildup on the plates. Residue from products can hinder the straightening process and the heat transfer.
Preparing Your Hair
Before using a flat iron on your hair, make sure to take the proper steps.
- Wash and Dry: Wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner and make sure it's completely dry.
- Heat Protectant: Apply a heat protectant spray to minimize damage. The heat protectant is crucial to reduce the heat damage.
Straightening Process
Once your hair and flat iron are ready, you can begin straightening:
- Section your hair: Divide hair into manageable sections. Use clips to separate the hair you're not working on.
- Clamp and glide: Take a small section of hair, clamp the flat iron near the roots, and gently glide it through to the ends. Keep the pressure even and avoid staying in one place for too long.
- Repeat: Repeat until all sections have been straightened.
- Style as desired: Finish by styling your hair with hair spray or serum.
Additional Tips
- Temperature Settings: Choose the right temperature based on hair thickness and texture. Lower temperatures may be better for thin hair and higher temperatures for thicker hair.
- Avoid over-straightening: Use a consistent motion and don't pass over each section too many times to prevent damage.
- Regular Cleaning: Clean your flat iron regularly to maintain its performance.
Using a flat iron correctly can help achieve sleek, straight hair. Always ensure both your flat iron and hair are well-prepared to minimize damage and achieve the best results.