As women, we are always asking ourselves hard-hitting questions. Which career path should I follow? Should I learn to sail and travel the world? Why is my hair poofy after I straighten it?
Okay, that last question was a bit of a joke, but when your hair gets poofy after straightening, it can be seriously annoying! You go to all this trouble to get a perfect silk press and then your hair has the audacity to get poofy!
That poofiness isn’t just annoying though, it’s an indication that the hair is damaged! I know you love your hair, and you want it to be healthy like you. To help prevent more damage from occurring to your precious locks, here’s are answers to why hair gets poofy after straightening — and how to fix it.
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Does Your Hair Get Poofy after Straightening? Fix It Now!
The process of straightening hair involves exposing the hair to high heat. When styling tools use too much heat, or if the stylist does not use an adequate heat protector, the hair gets damaged, resulting in poofy hair.
Because the damage is caused by high heat, the solution is pretty simple: lower heat exposure to hair and use the correct protecting products for your hair type. I know finding the right flat iron and products can be confusing, so I’ve put together a guide here to help you do exactly that.
How to Fix Poofy Hair after Straightening
If your hair is getting poofy after you straighten it, there is damage occurring during the straightening process. There are several parts of the straightening process where damage can occur. More importantly, there are three big mistakes people can make when straightening their hair: using too high of a heat setting, using a poorly-made flat iron, and not using a heat protector. If you can fix these issues, you’ll be golden.
If your hair gets poofy after straightening it, you have to run some diagnostics. The first thing you should check when diagnosing the problem of poof is your flat iron. Is the flat iron you’re using damaging your hair? A poorly-made flat iron will make it poofy after you straighten it. Here’s how you can tell if your flat iron is a workable styling tool, or if it’s secretly the cause of your hair poof.
What Should I Look For in a Flat Iron to Prevent Poofiness?
We all have our cheap flat iron horror stories. You know what can happen with a bad flat iron: uneven heating, hot spots, and burned hair. Bad flat irons are the number one cause of hair poofiness after straightening, so be careful when selecting a flat iron!
Because there are so many flat irons out there, it can be extremely confusing to choose a good one. But don’t worry, I’ve got your back! When it comes to choosing the correct flat iron to prevent hair poof, there are a couple of key features to look out for.
High-Quality Plate Material
I cannot stress this enough: when it comes to flat irons, plate material is the name of the game. Ceramic and titanium are materials that are known to heat evenly and generate ions that smooth the hair as they straighten. Sometimes these plates come infused with tourmaline crystals to enhance the ionization.
If you look at the box, and it does not say ceramic, titanium, tourmaline, or some combination thereof girl, do not waste your time and risk your precious hair with this subpar flat iron.
Temperature Settings
Hair poofiness is caused by overexposure to heat, so it’s very important that your flat iron has the ability to adjust its temperature. If you see a flat iron with only one heat setting, run! I’m just kidding, throw it away. You need a flat iron with an adjustable temperature in order to straighten your hair without damaging it.
If you want to take the guesswork out, some higher-end flat irons even come with microsensors to ensure that it stays at the correct temperature to straighten the hair without damaging it. That said, a decent flat iron need not break the budget, it just has to have multiple heat settings.
When you are using your flat iron to straighten, start slow. Put it on the lowest setting, let it heat up, and see what that does to your hair. If that doesn’t straighten it, put it to the next setting and try again. The goal is to find the lowest heat setting possible that still straightens the hair.
I know it can be tempting to crank up the temperature, especially if you’re in a rush, but beauty rewards patience. Be kind and gentle with your hair, and it will love you back. Make sure to use the lowest heat setting possible to style your hair, and remember to always use a heat-protective product in the styling process.
Top 3 Products to Help Deal With Hair Poofiness
The second most important aspect when it comes to making your hair less poofy when straightening the hair is the product used while straightening. Think of your hair the same way you think of your skin: if you want to expose it to harsher elements, it needs a layer of protection. I used to think straightening my hair was just a plug-and-play deal and girl, my hair has paid the price! Before I discovered heat protective products, my hair was a poofy mess.
From sprays to oils to leave-in serums, there are many types of heat protector products available. It’s important to pick one that works well for your hair type. For most people, a heat-protective hair spray will work just fine, but don’t be afraid to play around with different products! You never know what’s the best product for your hair until you try. Here are a few of my personal favs when it comes to preventing hair from getting poofy when straightening.
1. IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray
Those in need of a heavy-duty heat protector: your prayers have been answered! This spray can protect hair up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the maximum temperature anyone should be using on hair. This frizz-fighting hair spray mimics the smooth, glossy, poof-free results of keratin treatment. It works for all hair types, but should not be used every day because the heavy protective factor can also lead to buildup.
IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Spray is best for people who use high heat when styling and need a lot of protection for their hair. So if your hair is heat resistant and needs a lot of power to get flat, get a hair spray like this that can adequately protect your hair.
2. CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray
For those looking for a lighter hair protective spray, CHI 44 Iron Guard Protection Spray is your new best friend! It has no issues with buildup, so if you’re straightening your hair a lot this protection spray has got your back. The lightweight formula is suitable for all hair types. It might feel a little damp when applying, but don’t worry that’s just the spray coating the hair completely. People with fine hair are advised to wait a few seconds to let the product settle before using high heat styling tools.
If you’re looking for an everyday heat-protective spray that also smells great, CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray is perfect for you.
3. Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3
Now this product here isn’t actually a hair protector, but I felt the need to include it because it is one of the few products that can actually repair damage after the fact.
Olaplex has a patented active ingredient that rebuilds broken bonds within hair—this leave-in hair treatment reduces hair poofiness by structurally reforming the hair itself. That is some super cool sci-fi stuff there! If you’re looking for a leave-in treatment that reduces poofiness by repairing the bonds in the hair, you have to try Olaplex.
Conclusion
The reason why hair is poofy after you straighten it is that your hair is damaged. Damage occurs to hair when it is overexposed to heat during the styling process. Overexposure may be caused by a subpar flat iron or a lack of heat-protective products used when straightening the hair.
To prevent hair damage and poofiness, be sure to only style with a flat iron made with high-quality material and has adjustable heat settings. Make sure to use a heat-protective product that is appropriate for your hair type. With the help of this guide, you can say goodbye to post-straightening poof and hello to shiny, smooth, healthy hair!
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