All it takes is one wrong movement and you could end up with an ugly burn on your face, neck or ears while trying to create curls with a curling iron. Curling irons can heat up to well over 400 degrees Fahrenheit, warns Electrical-Forensics.com. Just one brief second on the skin can render you with an ugly scar. Curling iron burns are highly preventable with the right steps.
Step 1
Purchase a curling iron that features a plasticized tip. When you curl your hair, you may reach up to steady the iron by touching the tip with your finger. If the entire barrel of the curling iron heats up, you'll end up with a nasty burn on your finger. Instead, look for a plastic or rubber-tipped model that stays cool on the end.
Step 2
Heat your curling iron only as much as necessary. If your hair holds a curl well and only needs half the heat of your curling iron to get results, don't set the curling iron to full power. Curling irons can become extremely hot and burn your hair as well as your skin. The lower you're able to set your curling iron, the less likely you are to be burned by the barrel.
Step 3
Slide a plastic comb in between your scalp and your hair to reduce scalp burns while curling, suggests "Cosmopolitan" magazine. A comb that is an eighth of an inch is thin enough that your roots can still be curled, while it's thick enough to protect your scalp. Keep a comb with your curling iron so you remember to use it.
Step 4
Curl only the ends of your hair. If you're prone to burning your face, neck and scalp with your curling iron, keep it away from those areas. Instead, grasp a small section of hair and wind only the first three or four inches around the curling iron barrel. Hold the barrel vertically beside your head for 10 seconds before releasing. You'll get bounce and curl at the ends without sacrificing your skin.
Step 5
Unplug your curling iron when it's not in use and keep it away from children, warns FamilyDoctor.org, a website maintained by the American Academy of Family Physicians. Even if your curling iron has an automatic shut-off timer, a child could grab the barrel or you could accidentally knock the curling iron with your arm while applying makeup. Once you're done, unplug it and allow it to cool before storing.
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