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Hairstylist’s warning to throw away your old hair straightener due to ‘hot spots’ Credits: Social Media
By Ellissa Bain

Hairstylist’s warning to throw away your old hair straightener due to ‘hot spots’

By Ellissa Bain

If you’re still using a really old hair straightener that you’ve had for years, you might want to throw it in the trash.

A hairstylist has warned that your ancient flat iron could have temperature issues and be causing irreversible damage.

Rear view of slim teenage girl with long blonde hair standing in corridor and using hair straightener
Rear view of slim teenage girl with long blonde hair in dark home clothes standing in corridor with white walls using hair straightener, getting ready for upcoming party with friends. Credit: Tatsiana Volkava (Getty Images)

Throw away your old hair straighteners

Nickie Alton, a Master Stylist and Hair Extension Specialist at The Canyon Salon in Westlake Village, California, told The Focus that old flat irons can get hotter than they should.

“Older hair straighteners can have problems with their heating elements, which creates uneven temperatures,” she said.

This can cause “hot spots,” which are areas on the flat iron’s surface that become excessively hot, potentially damaging your hair.

“If the heating element fails, it could also underheat. This might force you to repeatedly pass the straightener over your hair to get it straight, which can also be harmful,” she added.

Generally, any temperature above 200�C/392�F will cause damage to the hair, Schwarzkopf Professional reveals. The hair can actually start to melt at 220�C/428�F, so it’s really important to ensure that your styling tools aren’t getting too hot.

You should not exceed 180�C/356�F when styling your hair. Most newer straighteners are fitted with advanced technology and heating regulators to stop them from going above a certain temperature and keep the heat even.

Always use a heat-protectant product and only style dry hair. If curling irons or straighteners touch wet hair, the water in the hair can boil. This turns the keratin soft, which creates steam inside the hair and causes extreme damage.

Brushing your hair when it’s wet can cause damage too as the hair is much more fragile and can easily snap.

Cropped shot view of Asian woman holding her damaged split ended and messy hair.
Hair damage is risk for further damage and breakage. It may also look dull or frizzy and be difficult to manage. Credit: Boy_Anupong (Getty Images)

7 signs your flat iron needs replacing

FHI Heat, who create hair styling tools for professionals and home users, say these are seven signs that your flat iron needs replacing:

  1. Your hair is snagging on the flat iron
  2. The plates are scratched
  3. There is a weird smell
  4. It takes a long time to style your hair
  5. Lights are flashing
  6. The temperature is changing on its own
  7. The wires are broken, frayed or damaged

Remember, it’s not just curling irons and hair straighteners that cause damage – blow dryers can ruin your hair too. They operate at a much lower tempearture, around 80-100�C/176�F212�F, but can still damage your hair if not used correctly.

Make sure you hold the blow dryer a safe distance away from your head. Holding it too close for too long can fry the hair and burn the scalp, potentially causing damage. Once your hair cells are broken, they can’t repair themselves – so the damage is permanent.