Do You Have To Blow Dry Your Hair Before Straightening?

Do you have to blow dry your hair before you straighten it depends on the type of hair you have and the level of straightness you’re trying to achieve. If you have thick, wavy hair, blow drying before straightening can help to eliminate some of the moisture and make the straightening process a lot easier. On the other hand, if you have fine, straight hair, blow-drying might not be necessary at all. 

It all comes down to personal preference and what works best for you and your hair, I am sure you will agree. But if you’re not sure, you can always try both methods and see which one gives you the best results or ask your hairstylist.

What Happens If You Straighten Damp Hair?

My recommendations is not to straighten damp or wet hair, as the heat from the straightener can cause the water in your hair to evaporate and build up steam inside the hair shaft. This steam can weaken the hair and lead to breakage, split ends, and other types of damage.

According to Meesh, Contributing Editor and Chief Product Analyst, “In addition to causing damage, straightening damp hair can also be less effective at achieving the desired look. This is because the moisture in your hair can cause it to stretch and become more difficult to straighten, leading to a less smooth and straight appearance.”

I recommend to avoid these problems, it’s best to allow your hair to air dry or blow dry until it’s completely dry before straightening. This will help to minimize heat damage and give you the best results. However, If you really, and I mean really need to straighten your hair while it’s still slightly damp, you can try using a lower heat setting and applying a heat protectant spray to help minimize damage. But I should make it very clear, it’s still best to avoid straightening damp hair whenever possible.

Blow Dry Your Hair Before Straightening Or After Straightening?

I say it’s best to avoid heat styling your hair too often, as heat can damage the hair shaft and strip it of its natural oils. That being said, if you do decide to heat style your hair, in my opinion it will be healthier to blow dry it before straightening. This is because blow drying can help to eliminate some of the moisture in your hair, which can make it easier to straighten and reduce the amount of heat needed to achieve your desired look. 

Again, as I recommended before, it’s still important to use a heat protectant spray before blow drying or straightening, and to use a lower heat setting if possible, to minimize damage to your hair. 

According to Stacey, Hair Research Analyst, “Ultimately, the healthiest option for your hair is to give it a break from heat styling as much as possible and to use deep conditioning treatments and other nourishing hair care products to keep it healthy and strong.”

How Should I Prepare My Hair Before Straightening?

By following my recommended steps, you’ll be well on your way to achieving straight, smooth, and healthy-looking hair!

My steps you can take right now to prepare your hair for straightening:

1. Make sure your hair is clean and dry. It’s always much easier to straighten clean, dry hair than it is to straighten dirty or damp hair.
2. Detangle your hair with a wide-tooth comb or brush. This will help to smooth out any knots or tangles and make it easier to straighten your hair.
3. Use a heat protectant spray or serum. Can yo tell I am a big fan of heat protectant spray, right! These products can help to shield your hair from the heat of the straightener and prevent damage.
4. Divide your hair into sections. This will make it easier to straighten your hair evenly and avoid missed spots.
5. Start at the root of your hair and work your way down. This will help you to get a smooth, straight look without having to go over the same area multiple times.
6. Use a lower heat setting if possible. This is critical. Higher heat settings can be more damaging to your hair, so try to use the lowest heat setting that still gets the job done.
7. Take breaks between sections to let your hair cool down. Hopefully you are not in a big rush to get out the door, right? This will help to minimize heat damage and prevent your hair from getting too dry or brittle.

What Happens If My Flat Iron Was Not Hot Enough And I Use It To Straighten My Hair?

If your flat iron wasn’t hot enough when you used it to straighten your hair, it may not have been able to effectively smooth and straighten your hair. This is a common problem believe it or not. 

The heat from the flat iron is what helps to set the style and make your hair stay straight, so if the iron wasn’t hot enough, your hair may not have been able to hold the style as well. Thick hair takes more heat and a high temperature to style as opposed to thin hair.

And not to leave out the possibility to not achieving the desired straight look, using a flat iron that wasn’t hot enough can also be more damaging to your hair. This is because the lower heat setting may not be able to effectively seal the hair cuticle, which can lead to dryness and breakage.

I recommend to avoid these problems, it’s important to make sure your flat iron is hot enough before using it to straighten your hair. You can usually adjust the heat setting on the iron to match your hair type and the style you’re trying to achieve. 

And just be sure to use a lower heat setting if you have fine or damaged hair, as higher heat settings can be more damaging. And remember (again, ha!) it’s also a good idea to use a heat protectant spray or serum before straightening to help minimize heat damage.

What Happens If I Use My Flat Iron And I Overloaded My Hair With Product?

If you overload your hair with product before using your flat iron, you may end up with hair that is heavy, greasy, or sticky. I am guilty of that, more is always better, right? Too much product can weigh your hair down and make it difficult to achieve a smooth, straight look. 

Way too much product can also make your hair feel greasy or sticky to the touch and may cause it to become more prone to frizz and flyaways.

In addition to affecting the appearance of your hair, using too much product can also make it more difficult to style your hair with a flat iron. 

The reason why is because the excess product may make it harder for the iron to glide smoothly through your hair, leading to missed spots or uneven straightening.

I say to avoid these problems, it’s important to use the right amount of product for your hair type and style. I like to experiment with different products and amounts to find what works best.

If you’re not sure how much product to use, a good rule of thumb is to start with a small amount and add more if needed. It’s also a good idea to distribute the product evenly through your hair to ensure that it’s applied evenly and doesn’t weigh your hair down.

What Should I Not Do Before Straightening My Hair?

By following my tips, you’ll be able to straighten your hair with minimal damage and keep it looking healthy and strong. Sounds great, right?

Here are my tips and things you should avoid doing before straightening your hair:

1. Don’t straighten dirty or greasy hair. It’s generally easier to straighten clean, dry hair, as dirt and oils can make it more difficult to achieve a smooth, straight look.
2. Don’t skip using a heat protectant spray or serum. These products can help to shield your hair from the heat of the straightener and prevent damage.
3. Don’t try to straighten your hair when it’s wet or damp. Straightening wet or damp hair can be more damaging, as the heat can cause the water to evaporate and cause steam to build up inside the hair shaft, leading to breakage.
4. Don’t use a high heat setting if you don’t need to. Higher heat settings can be more damaging to your hair, so try to use the lowest heat setting that still gets the job done.
5. Don’t straighten your hair too often. Heat styling can be damaging to your hair, so try to give your hair a break between straightening sessions and use other styling techniques, like braids or buns, instead.
6. Don’t forget to use a conditioning treatment after straightening. Heat styling can strip your hair of its natural oils, so it’s important to use a conditioning treatment to help replenish moisture and nourish your hair.

Why Won’t My Hair Stay Straight After I Straighten It?

So, I hear your hair will not behave and it does not stay straight. IF that is your case then by addressing the issues I list below, you should be able to get your hair to stay straight after straightening it. 

It’s also a good idea to be gentle with your hair (and it will like you too) and avoid over-styling or using heat styling tools too frequently, as this can cause damage and make it harder to maintain a straight style.

There are a few possible reasons why your hair might not stay straight after you straighten it:

1. Your hair type: This is a big one. Some hair types, such as naturally curly or wavy hair, may be more resistant to staying straight. If you have this type of hair, you may need to use a higher heat setting or go over each section of your hair multiple times to achieve a smooth, straight look.
2. Humidity: Humidity can cause your hair to become more prone to frizz and curl, making it harder to maintain a straight style. If you live in a humid climate, you may need to use additional products, such as hair oil or serum, to help keep your hair straight and smooth.
3. Poor styling techniques:  Who me? If you’re not using the straightener correctly or are applying too much pressure, you may be causing your hair to curl or wave instead of staying straight. Make sure you’re using a smooth, even stroke and avoiding applying too much pressure when straightening your hair.
4. Lack of product: If you’re not using any product to help hold your style in place, your hair may be more prone to returning to its natural state. Try using a styling product, such as a hair spray or gel, to help keep your hair straight and smooth.

Why Does My Hair Get Frizzy After I Straighten It?

I say you can reduce frizz and achieve a smooth, straight look after straightening your hair. 

There are my reasons I came up with why your hair might become frizzy after you straighten it:

1. Lack of moisture: If your hair is dry or damaged, it may be more prone to frizz. Make sure you’re using a conditioner and other nourishing hair care products to help keep your hair hydrated and healthy.
2. Poor styling techniques: If you’re not using the straightener correctly or are applying too much pressure, you may be causing your hair to become frizzy. Or in most cases you are in too big a rush. Make sure you’re using a smooth, even stroke and avoiding applying too much pressure when straightening your hair.
3. Humidity: Humidity can cause your hair to become more prone to frizz. this is a big one as too much humidity can make havoc on your hair. If you live in a humid climate, you may need to use additional products, such as hair oil or serum, to help keep your hair smooth and frizz-free.
4. Using the wrong products: If you’re using products that are too heavy or greasy, they may weigh your hair down and cause it to become frizzy. I found it very beneficial to experiment with different products to find the ones that work best for your hair type and style.

By addressing these issues I listed above I feel confident you can reduce frizz and achieve a smooth, straight look after straightening your hair. 

Conclusion And How Do I Keep My Hair Straighter Longer?

By following my tips below, you will be able to keep your hair straighter for longer and maintain a healthy, smooth, and straight look.

Follow my steps below so you can keep your hair straighter for longer:

1. Use a heat protectant spray or serum before straightening your hair. These products can help to shield your hair from the heat of the straightener and reduce damage, making it easier to maintain a straight style.
2. Use a lower heat setting if possible. Higher heat settings can be more damaging to your hair, so try to use the lowest heat setting that still gets the job done. The key is to get the job done using the least amount of heat. I found it necessary to experiment till you dialed in the precise temperature.
3. Avoid over-styling or using heat-styling tools too frequently. Heat styling can strip your hair of its natural oils and cause damage, making it harder to maintain a straight style. It’s always good to give your hair a break between styling sessions and try using other techniques, such as braids or buns, to style your hair.
4. Use a good quality hair straightener. It’s going to be worth it in the long run. Higher-quality straighteners tend to heat more evenly and may be less damaging to your hair, making it easier to maintain a straight style.
5. Use a styling product to help hold your style in place. Hair sprays, gels, and serums can help to keep your hair straight and smooth and make it easier to maintain your style for longer. I am guessing this is not going to be a problem with most folks, right? I know I am guilty of having too many bottles or this and that for hair care.

References

Dias, M. F. R. G. (2015). Hair cosmetics: an overview. International journal of trichology, 7(1), 2. 

Ettlinger, J., Kirchen, L., & Yegles, M. (2014). Influence of thermal hair straightening on ethyl glucuronide content in hair. Drug testing and analysis, 6(S1), 74-77.