The Best Hot Tool Temperature for Your Hair
Are hot tools essential to your beauty routine but you hate damaging your hair with so much heat? Straightening, curling, everyday drying—it can really do a number on your hair. Here’s the thing: a lot of people use too high a temperature on their hair—much higher than they need. So, what’s the best temperature to use on your hair type? We’ve been pondering the same question, so we decided to do a little research and give you the deets. Keep scrolling for our tips to maintain healthy strands by using the right hot tool temperature…
Do different hair types require different heat settings?
Yes, most definitely. Everyone’s hair is different, so naturally, your hair is going to respond differently to certain heat settings. Whether your hair is thin, coarse, curly or straight, your hair type is ultimately going to determine the best heat for your hair tools. Generally speaking, thicker and coarser hair types can withstand higher temperatures, between 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. However, you should still exercise caution. Going over 400 degrees, which is a common option on curling and flat irons—even for thicker, coarser hair types—can cause serious damage, according T3 Stylist David Lopez on Self. If you have thin hair that’s brittle and prone to breakage, staying below 280 degrees should work just fine, per Makeup.com. If you land somewhere in the middle, keeping it around 350 degrees Fahrenheit is your sweet spot.
Can the material of your hot tool affect your hair’s health?
It most certainly can. Triple-baked ceramic, titanium, tourmaline – specific heating materials can change the finish of your hair and its health. Tourmaline, for example, is a highly recommended material used in hot tools because it helps to seal in moisture for a longer-lasting hairstyle, per Lopez on Self. In addition to tourmaline, the materials we listed above are also recommended—just make sure that you’re doing your research before you invest in any tool. Generally speaking, the higher quality hair tools are going to be an investment, but they just might be worth it.
How do you know if you are using the best heat setting?
You’ll know pretty quickly if you’re using the right heat setting on your hair based on how it looks and feels. Your goal is to achieve the hairstyle you want whilst also have shiny, healthy-looking locks. However, if you notice that you have a lot of breakage, dry ends, or your hair feels a little dull, it might be a sign that your hair may be damaged from all the heat treatment. If that’s the case, it might be time to re-evaluate your hair routine. Whether that’s reducing your hair tool temperature, the amount you use it weekly, or incorporating a heat protectant into your routine, any one of these methods could be the answer.
What can happen if the heat is too low? Too high?
If your hot tool heat is too low for your hair, depending on your hair type, you will likely have to go over those sections of your hair multiple times to get the desired effect. If you’re using too high heat, you could style your hair faster, but run the risk of damaging or drying out your strands too quickly if you’re not careful. We’d recommend starting at a lower temperature and working your way up until your find a temperature that is effective for your mane.
What do you think of these tips?
We hope they help! Let us know what temps your normally use on your hair with hot tools how you’re styling your locks this summer.
XO Team LC
Photos: Kristin Ess
Affiliate links may have been used in this post.
Sources:
Makeup.com. by L’oreal. Makeup. Harrington, Jessica. What Temperature Should Your Flat Iron and Curling Wand Really Be? https://www.makeup.com/hair/all-hair/temperature-for-heat-styling-hair 6.13.22
SELF. Cruel, Jessica. 10 Flatiron Mistakes That Are Totally Frying Your Hair. https://www.self.com/story/flatiron-mistakes-frying-your-hair 6.13.22
