Does the InStyler Burn Your Hair?

The Instyler is a very popular hair styling tool. And the Max 2-way is the most advanced brush the company sells. There are thousands sold online and in stores and the majority of them have good reviews. But with every product there are Pros and Cons. I have yet to find a perfect product. So let’s dive in.

The Instyler uses a rotating barrel that does not burn your hair. The rotating InStyler is preferred by most people over traditional flat irons for straightening hair because the rotating barrel  delivers powerful heat without trapping the hair between two hot plates. This leaves hair soft, silky and healthy feeling. The InStyler adds shine, gives lift, curls and adds volume to your hair.

InStyler Features

What I like is the InStyler has a 30 second rapid heat-up mode where the brush heats up quickly for use. Plus the brush also has an automatic safety shut off. This is perfect when you are in a rush in the mornings and need to get to work on your hair quickly. One of the most aggravated feelings is having to wait around on your hair straightener brush to heat up.

To control the heat there are multiple heat settings for fine, medium and thick or coarse hair. These setting are used to control the heat. According to the manufacture the MAX is able to maintain a consistent high heat of 425°F for maximum speed and styling efficiency.

Hey did you know one of the most popular questions regarding the use of the InStyler is can you use it on wet hair.

According the the manufacture’s manual at the time of this writing here are the heat settings:

• High 3 bars 196C for thick coarse hair
• Med 2 bars 157C for thin to medium-textured hair
• Low 1 bar for fine, thin hair
• Off is no bars

The LED indicator lights will flash while reaching the heat setting and one the temperature has been reached the LED will stay lit.

My article called: InStyler heat settings is a must read. In this article I go in depth on difference temperatures and what you need to know to get that perfect hair style regardless of your hair type. After reading your hair will love you for it.

For an in-depth review on how to use the InStyler read my article on this site called: How to use an InStyler. In this article I’ll tell you what not to do ans some shocking secrets, well maybe not that shocking but some very good tips on how to get the best results using the InStyler.

Did you know there are many types of InStylers? There are several models available and all have different features and advantages. If you are interested in learning more about each model then you can read my article on this site called: InStyler rotating brush. My article will help you make sure you choose the right one for your style.

What do others say about the InStyler and burnt hair

Now with all that being said and if you use the brush according to the manufactures directions it should work just fine. I have gone through many web sites and have read many (hundreds of) reviews on this product and the majority of the reviews are good with no mention of the straightener burning your hair with proper use.

I have read some reviews where people are experiencing problems with the product but none that I found about burning your hair. I am guessing there would have to be some kind of major defect with the product for it to burn your hair. Or there would be gross neglect and the person was not following the manufacture directions. After reading the reviews I have a high confidence factor that the product will perform as advertised.

If you are skeptical you can always test the product before actual use on your own hair. One way is to test the actual temperature by using a non-contact digital laser infrared thermometer temperature gun. They usually run less than $20 at the time of this writing. You will need to make sure your temperature gun is capable of at least detecting 425°F. Let the bush heat up and then take it’s temperature.

According to Todd E. Schlesinger, MD, FAAD, FASMS Medical Director, Board-Certified Dermatologist, Fellow, American Society for Mohs Surgery at the Dermatology and Laser Center of Charleston, “Too much heat can cause damage.  Flat irons, hair dryers, curling irons, hot rollers – every day many women subject their hair to an increased about of directly applied heat.  Doing so on a frequent basis can lead to dry, damaged hair.  Try letting your hair air dry naturally as often as possible and reduce the amount of time direct heat is applied to your strands.“

NOTE: I would not recommend taking off the protection cage while using the brush. And I would not recommend using this product on wet hair. I would not use the product on any kind of synthetic hair extensions. Read the manufacturers directions and manual before using the product.

NOTE: “It is important to keep your InStyler clean, as hair product build-up can accumulate on the barrel and bristles. With the unit unplugged, wipe the outside surface only with a lightly damp cloth. Bristles can be lightly scrubbed if necessary. Make sure the InStyler is completely dry before plugging into any power source”.

Hair not as straight as it could be but not damaged

There are some reviews I read where people said after use their hair was not as straight as they had hoped for. That using other products they got better results. Particularly the GHD product was mentioned. Their hair was straighter and it lasted longer. Using the product gave good lift and bounce but it could not beat a flattening iron.

Other reviews complained about hair taking on curls. The product just did not create a long lasting curl. The curl created was more of a weak curl than a real curl. Even after using spray to set the curl in place it did not last. These reviews were few and far between. The most common review was its worth every penny and they are not going back to a flat iron. I do not doubt the less than stellar reviews. It just  may be due to their particular hair or the way they are using the product it’s not optimal for them. And like I said at the beginning of this article I have never yet seen a perfect product.

NOTE: According to the manual it specifically says “Thick or Coarse – Set your InStyler at the highest heat setting and style as desired. With coarse hair, 2 to 3 passes with the InStyler should be enough to set your style. Don’t rush! Remember to Take your time and move slowly through the hair“.

Pros and Cons found on the InStyler

Pros

1. Heats up fast and is ready to use fairly quickly. This is great for in the morning when you are in a rush to head out the door.
2. Does not damage your hair. A flat iron if not use correctly can easily damage your hair. You can get that fried hair smell quickly if you are not paying attention. The InStyler is much safer and treats your hair much better.
3. The majority of people say it smooths out their hair quickly and does a great job.
4. Add lift and great volume to your hair.

Cons

1. Curls do not last as long as anticipated. People mentioned there were better tools to create a longer lasting curl.
2. Fairly expensive product as compared to other products on the market.
3. Does not give you that pin straight hair. Even with multiple passes pin straight hair was not obtainable.
4. For those having longer hair it takes a long time to work through the hair.

In my opinion after research the cons mentioned above are subjective and would depend on your particular hair type and desired style.

Conclusion and closing thoughts on the InStyler burning hair

After doing a lot on online digging and research my conclusion is that I would recommend the product. I am not denying there are people out there where this product does not work out 100% for them. But they seem to be a small percentage. The majority of people using this product are going to be happy with their purchase. None say that the product burned their hair. Some reviewers said they need at least 2 pass before they got the desired results. The majority of the reviews say it took their curly and frizzy hair and by using the InStyler and it made their hair look controlled and beautiful.  My final thought on the product is I would recommend its purchase and would definitely make sure not use it on wet hair.

 All that being said there is more to healthy hair that your should know about. What products you use does matter but also very important is your diet. According to Kimberly Livingston Maino, MD, FAAD, FASMS Board-Certified Dermatologist, Mohs Surgeon, “Hair care starts inside your body.  As with many things, what you eat has a great impact on your physical appearance and your hair is no different.  A lack of zinc in your diet, for example, can lead to hair loss.  Protein is a key ingredient in healthy hair.  Without proper levels of protein, you may notice your hair appears dull or brittle compared to how it looks when you are enjoying a balanced, healthy diet.“

Hot brushes are great time saving tools. But some are better than others and there are features you will want to have. What are the most important features? I analyzed the top brands and documented my findings. You can find my articles here: “Hot Brushes“. 

References:
InStyler