dear asking for a friend,
i am a regular user of a flat iron for my hair, but my stylist says it is contributing to breakage and making my hair dry. i love my straight iron, please don’t tell me i need to stop using it.
signed,
worried about my hair
dear worried about my hair,
the pursuit of sleek, shiny, straight hair can take a bit of work with styling tools – unless you have your own styling team like beyoncé or kim kardashian to create silky, pressed hair for the red carpet.
that said, many people love the look and make the effort part of their regular routine. as with any heated hair tool, there’s risk of damage and breakage with a straight iron because of technique, length of exposure to too-high heat, and the need for additional hair products to protect your strands and get best results.
a 2020 study in the
indian dermatology online journal
looked at hair loss in women and the connection to frequent use of blow-dryers, flat irons (also known as straightening irons) and chemical processing. the researchers found that ongoing use does cause microscopic changes to the hair structure, leaving it more vulnerable to loss and damage.
so how do you mitigate potential problems?
getting some how-to advice from a professional stylist can help keep your hair healthy and glowing, according to morgan tully,
toronto hair stylist and founder of thic studio
salon and haircare products and accessories. the barbados native has been in the industry for 20 years and is known for her signature “effortless waves” that she styles with a flat iron. it’s one of her favourite tools.