How To: Straighten Your Hair With Flat Irons

If we have discussed with each other the way to straighten hair without heat by using natural methods like wrapping your hair or using DIY Hair Mask in the previous post, we, in this post, will unveil the other way to properly straighten your hair without destroying your hair by using either straightening irons, just follow the steps below!

Step 1: Wash and Blow-Dry Your Hair

Straightening your hair works best when it is recently washed or has been sitting for a few days. When washing your hair, use shampoo and conditioner that are appropriate for your hair type. Use a smoothing shampoo and conditioner on thick, frizzy hair. Use volumizing products on thin, flat hair. After washing your hair, gently dry it with a microfiber towel, spray it with a heat-protectant product, then blow-dry it with a hairdryer. This will assist in pre-straightening your hair, resulting in less labor with the straightening iron.

First, use the hairdryer to dry the roots of your hair, then work through the lengths of your hair.
Turn your head upside down while drying your hair to add more volume.
Work away tangles with a paddle brush and hold hair taut as you dry

Step 2: Apply A Heat Protection Spray

Investing in an excellent heat protection spray to use every time you straighten your hair is one of the best things you can do for your hair, without forgoing straightening entirely. The heat protection spray seals in moisture and keeps hair from becoming dry and frayed. Apply the heat protection spray evenly over dry hair, holding the can about six inches away from your head.

Don’t apply the heat protection spray to your roots, as this can cause them to look greasy.
Heat protection sprays can be found at most drug stores and hair salons. It may be worth investing in a brand-name product that will do a better job of protecting your hair.

Step 3: Divide Your Hair Into Sections

This allows you to have better access to each section of your hair. Dividing your hair into sections will ensure that you straighten your hair properly, without missing any strands. The easiest way to section your hair is to divide it into three layers.

Create the first layer by taking the front sections of your hair and scooping them back with your thumbs to grab all of the hair on the crown of your head. Separate this layer by twisting it and securing it with a hair tie or butterfly clip.
Create the second layer by scooping up the hair that remains above your ears and securing it with a hair tie or clip.
The third layer consists of any hair which remains unclipped, which should be the hair at the back of your head, growing around the nape of your neck.

You can separate your hair into extra layers if you have really thick hair. If your hair is really thin or fine, you may not need to separate it at all, or you may only need to divide it into two sections.

Step 4: Set Correct Temperature For Your Hair Type

Most good-quality hair straighteners give you the option to adjust the temperature of the irons. Using the right temperature for your hair will ensure you get the best results and will prevent you from doing unnecessary damage to your hair. The temperature your straightener should be set to will depend on your hair type:

Fine or damaged hair should use a temperature of between 200 and 300 °F (93-149 °C).
Hair of average thickness which is in pretty good condition should use a temperature of between 300 and 350 °F (149-177 °C).
Very thick or coarse, frizzy hair should use a temperature of 350 to 400 °F (177-205°C).

Step 5: Use The Correct Technique

Straightening your hair with straightening irons does not involve anything very complicated, but there are a few helpful suggestions you may follow to get the best results:

Use the right size strands. For best results, straighten your hair in strands that are 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) wide and no more than half an inch thick. If you use sections that are much bigger, your hair won’t straighten properly, but if you use smaller sections, it will take too long.
Hold the hair taut. Use one hand to hold the section of hair taut as you clamp the straightening iron around it and smooth it through the hair. If it’s not completely straight the first time, don’t worry, just pull the straightener through again, but don’t do it more than 3 times on the same section.
Begin straightening about an inch away from the roots. This will leave a little volume in your hair and make sure it doesn’t look too flat.
Use smooth rather than jerky movements. Try to run the straightening iron over the hair in one smooth, fluid movement. If you move it jerkily, you will end up with horizontal lines across your hair.

Some YouTube tutorials can assist you in grasping the correct technique:

Keep in mind that:

Stop If You See Any Steam or Your Hair Starts To Sizzle: If this happens, it means that your hair is not fully dry. Stop, turn off the hair straightener and use a hairdryer to get your hair completely dry before you resume straightening. Using a straightening iron on damp hair is very damaging and will leave your hair in bad condition, so avoid it whenever possible.
Straighten the next layer of hair: Once you have straightened the bottom layer of hair, unclip the next section and begin to straighten it using the same technique as before. The top layer of hair should be the last section of hair you straighten.

Step 6: Use A Finishing Product

You can use a silicone-based serum to add shine or spray your hair with hairspray to hold your hair in place. Just don’t add any mousse or water-based product as this will dampen the hair and cause it to turn wavy.