5 Hair Tool Rules to Follow If You Want Healthy Hair

Ingrie WilliamsUpdated: Oct. 02, 2018

Experts shed light on the best ways to keep your mane in tip-top shape.

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Photo Credit: Shutterstock

The tool rules you should know.

Keep your cool

Don’t be a fool with a tool: hotter isn’t better when using a hair dryer, flat iron or curling wand. “All it takes is one time for heat damage to occur and hair is permanently altered. You can’t revive it, and you have to cut it out,” says David Lopez, a New York-based T3 lead stylist, “For drying, 320-350 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimal temperature for most people.”

Fit to be tied

Putting hair up has a down side (tension damage, headaches), but small changes can help. First, an accessory upgrade. Invisibobble has a smooth surface and spiral-shaped form that doesn’t leave a kink, is water-repellent and guarantees a strong grip for various hair textures, says Stefanie Schütz, an educator with the brand. Next, practice healthy habits. “Don’t wear a hair tie tight every single day,” says Anna Giannini, a L’Oréal Professionnel Portfolio Artist.

Essential equipment

The best brush for you? Depends on the task. Giannini likes the overall gentleness of boar bristle, the smoothing power of a paddle brush and the frizz-eliminating volume that ceramic round styles offer. What isn’t negotiable is technique. “Always start brushing at the ends and work your way up, this causes less stress on roots. Take your time. Aggressive, fast brushing creates too much friction and makes split ends more noticeable.”

There’s the rub

If your hair had care instructions, gentle drying would be encouraged. Giannini cautions against twisting, wringing or leaving wet hair wrapped in a towel for a prolonged period. “Avoid rubbing hair with the towel, instead blot — the gentler, the better, and just enough to soak up all the drips.

Wake up call

Silk accessories reduce friction and moisture loss, so beauty sleep takes on new meaning when you protect your hair while snoozing. “I’ve used silk pillowcases previously, which helped with breakage (Here are 5 more little things you can do to help prevent hair breakage.), but this hair wrap also helps save my hairstyle, so I can avoid extra heat styling between washes,” says Michelle Levine, director, 6 by Gee Beauty. Read on for the best tools to help keep your hair in tip-top condition.

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