By themselves, hair straighteners don’t easily cause dandruff. They can however, be a factor.
Hair straighteners have come a long way very quickly, becoming a mainstream styling tool found in many homes.
Unfortunately, they’re not without pitfalls. While straighteners don’t directly cause dandruff, the damage they cause can lead to it.
The cause of damage
Modern hair straighteners heat ceramic plates to nearly 400°F (over 200°C).
Used at this temperature, they are incredibly damaging to hair:
- Hair cuticles are damaged at temperatures above 350°F
- The heat of a straightener can also dry out the skin on the scalp
- The pulling motion of a hair straightener damages and weakens the hair clamped into it
The damage here is not insignificant.
The scalp can become dried out, causing it to become weak and less healthy. This can also impact the health of your hair.
So, if you are susceptible to dandruff – even if you’re not experiencing symptoms at the time – then drying out the scalp could make it worse..
How to protect your hair
Luckily, there are a few easy ways to keep your hair and scalp healthy.
- Use a lower heat setting, below 350°F
- Always use conditioner, to allow your fibers to glide more easily through the device without damage
- Be gentle when pulling the straightener down your hair
- Straighten your hair only when it’s dry, as the damage point of wet hair is lower than that of dry hair
Choosing the right shampoo can also go a long way to keeping your hair protected.
Look out for a proven anti-dandruff shampoo that will help to prevent the symptoms flaring up.
Plus, if you’re worried your scalp and hair are drying out, look for a dry scalp shampoo that’s been proven to help restore the scalp’s natural moisture balance.
And if you’re already suffering from damaged hair, try our Damage Rescue shampoo to help bring your hair back to its best. Read more hair care tips and advice.