Today's hair-care tools can make straight hair curly or curly hair straight. They can dry and style wet hair within minutes. This convenience may come at a price, however. When the appliances are too hot or left in contact with the hair for too long, damage results, says AgingSkinNet, a website from the American Academy of Dermatology. Even brushes and combs can cause damage. Being judicious with these tools keeps your hair both healthy and stylish.
Combs and Brushes
Both combs and brushes come in a variety of forms to suit different hair types and styling needs. Combs with shorter teeth work well with short hair, and those with longer teeth work best for longer hair. Besides their obvious function of detangling hair, wide-tooth combs can be used to evenly distribute hair care products, says stylist Nick Arrojo in his book "Great Hair."
Different brush types manipulate the hair in different ways. Round brushes help curl the hair or simply provide lift, depending on how they're used. Flat paddle brushes smooth longer hair. Vent brushes allow air from a hairdryer to flow through, drying the hair more quickly. Don't brush or comb sopping wet hair, says AgingSkinNet, because wet hair is more vulnerable to breakage.
Blow-Dryers
When used along with a styling brush, a blow-dryer may allow you to eliminate other heated hair appliances and shave time off your morning routine. In "The Complete Book of Hairstyling," author Charles Worthington recommends a dryer with at least 1,500 watts to cut the drying time. Using a dryer with a nozzle lets you concentrate the heat where you want it, making styling easier, Arrojo says. Use the blow-dryer's "cool shot" button to dissipate the heat and set your style. Before blow-drying, let your hair partially air-dry to protect it from damage, says AgingSkinNet, and skip blow-drying altogether every few days to give your hair a rest.
Irons
Curling irons use heat to provide curl, and flat irons use it to take curl and frizz away. Neither should be used on wet hair or overprocessed, damaged hair. Curling irons with smaller diameters can be used for short hairstyles or tight curls, notes "The Complete Book of Hairstyling." Irons with larger diameters provide larger curls. Curling brushes combine the heat of a curling iron with the bristles and styling capability of a brush.
Flat irons come in various widths, from 1 inch to 3 inches. The largest iron is meant for straightening and smoothing long, thick hair; the smallest can be used on short hair. Arrojo recommends a width of 1½ inches for most users. Buy a flat iron with a built-in temperature reading and apply a hair care product that contains a heat protectant to keep damage at bay.
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