How Often To Use Hair Straighteners

While there is no single answer to this question that is right for everyone, there are certain guidelines which will help you decide how often you can safely use hair straighteners. If your hair is reasonably healthy, there is no reason you can’t use your straightening and styling tool 3-5 times per week, and perhaps more often. Consider these guidelines to determine what is right for you. Of course, experience is always the best determinant. If your hair is healthy, more use might be possible. If your hair becomes damaged from using a hair straightener, back off until your hair regains its health, then use the styler less frequently going forward. That common sense approach will serve your hair well.

First of all, how healthy is your hair? If you work hard to maintain hair health, more frequent styling with a hair straightener will be possible without damage. See our guide “Tips for Great Healthy Hair” for details. The basic idea is to maintain clean, well conditioned tresses, and avoid harsh chemicals and damaging activities such as blow drying. If your hair is damaged, limit your use while you focus on moisturizing dried and damaged hair, and building it up with nutrient-filled conditioners. You may need to get a haircut to remove all split ends before beginning to use a hair straightener on a regular basis.

Secondly, what type of hair do you have? The thinner your hair is, the more fragile it may be. The good news is that thinner hair requires lower heat, and usually less time, to straighten and style. However, if you have thin hair, use a Hair Protection Spray and watch carefully for signs of damage. Never leave the styling iron on any section of hair too long. Go over sections two or three times, moving the plates more quickly, rather than attempting to straighten each section with just one pass. Medium, wavy, and coarse hair will withstand heat better, so you may be safe using the hair straightener more frequently.

Thirdly, what are you using the hair straightener to accomplish? If you are giving your hair the all-over treatment, you’ll need to use it less often. If you are only adding a few curls one day, a flip or two the next, and some stylish twists the third day, you may be able to use it every day, as long as its not the same sections you are styling over and over again.

Fourthly, use only hair straighteners with titanium or ceramic/ceramic tourmaline plates. Never use metal plates. We cover the different types of plates in various other guides on these pages.

In conclusion, start with moderate use of your hair straightener. If your hair remains healthy, you may be able to increase frequency. It is also important to work on your technique, and this will come with practice. The better your technique, the more quickly you’ll be able to achieve the look you want, limiting the time the hot tool is in your hair.