Hair that falls out because of the straightener, what to do?

Hair that falls out, becomes thinner or even loses volume… What if the straightener was responsible? This is the question you have been asking yourself for some time. Although there are many causes for hair loss, you are sure your hot plates are the cause. And you are probably right! So, what to do about hair that falls out because of the straightener? Rest assured, your hair is not doomed. Although hair loss is a warning signal, and it is essential to listen to it. So, find out first why you are losing your hair because of the straightener. Then discover all solutions to prevent hair loss due to straightening.

In this section:

Why is your hair falling out due to straightening?

1 - Can the straightener cause hair loss?

Hair loss, loss of volume, baldness in the hair, hair that becomes thinner, which no longer grows, which dries up, which breaks or which even seems to "shrink" are all consequences that can be attributed to straightener. Note that hair that falls out abnormally is also commonly seen in people using the straightener.

2 - Why does the straightener cause hair loss?

There are two possible reasons for hair falling out due to the straightener :

The first is probably the most common: it is due to the heat that this one releases. At such high temperatures, and in particular above 180 ° C, the straightener burns the hair. Usually, at first, the hair is simply dry, brittle, and much more fragile. Over time, the hair follicles are also affected. As a result, they produce thinner, poor quality hair. And when they are totally destroyed, they go so far as not to produce any at all.
The second reason for a hair loss that comes from straightening do we call " traction alopecia". Traction alopecia is hair loss that occurs when you pull on it too much. Very often it is attributed to repetitive hairstyles that are too tight, too pulled, or even too heavy. But it can also appear following too frequent and too violent straightening. The common point between repetitive hairstyles and straightening is the weakening of the roots due to their too frequent stretching. The hair follicles, subjected to too intense traction, end up being damaged. As a result: the hair falls out!

As we do not all have the same metabolisms, nor the same hair, hair weakening and hair loss related to straightening will not be the same in individuals. This is how some individuals will hardly notice any changes when using the straightener. While for others, the latter will have catastrophic consequences. The straightener is generally much more impactful on fine hair weakened by colorations. The most resistant hair will be thick hair.

3 - How to recognize that falling hair is linked to the straightener?

La hair loss due to straightening is most often recognized by its location. It is mostly found on the front of the head, around the face on the forehead area and temples. This is because it is both the hair most used by the straightener, but also the most exposed to external aggressions.

Important Note : There are many other causes for excessive hair loss. They can come from internal factors and external factors. Sometimes hair loss can be caused by several factors combined. We invite you to read our article on all the causes that can lead to significant hair loss by clicking here.

Solutions to prevent hair loss from hair straighteners

First of all, we advise you to go for a general health check-up to detect any deficiencies or hormonal dysfunction. You can also complete your examination by consulting a dermatologist who will establish an external diagnosis of your hair, and will make a report on the condition of your hair. In this way, you will be able to understand where your hair loss is coming from, and if it is indeed due to the straightener.

In the case where your falling out hair is undeniably from the straightener, we invite you to combat this phenomenon to follow the advice below.

Make the right hair actions against hair loss related to the straightener

To prevent your hair from falling out due to straightening, here are some hair rules to follow :

Pay attention to the temperature of the straightener. The heat should not be too high. We recommend that you do not exceed 180 ° C. This is the ideal temperature to avoid burning the hair fiber too much and still manage to smooth your hair. However, depending on your hair type, you will need to adjust the temperature more or less strongly. Find out the ideal temperature for your hair below in this article.
Avoid smoothing the roots to prevent hair loss due to the straightener. Start straightening your hair at least 2cm after the root. This will partially protect the hair follicles from the heat of the straightener.
Do not leave your plates on the hair. The stopping of the plates on an area of the hair causes overheating and weakens it enormously. In addition, by proceeding in this way, the heat can be diffused to the hair follicles, which will in turn be weakened.
Make one pass by wick. For this, it is essential to have a good straightener, which smoothes your hair quickly and efficiently.
Avoid daily smoothing. To avoid damaging your hair follicles and having your hair fall out from the straightener, straighten your hair as little as possible. The best is to smooth them out once after each shampoo.
Start your straightening by brushing with lukewarm air. Be careful, avoid pulling your hair too much. Finish with the straightener with a low temperature.

Choosing the right hair products to avoid falling out

To avoid hair loss due to the straightener, in addition to performing the right styling gestures, you will need to use the right hair products such as a good straightener and good styling products.

1 - A good straightener against falling hair

In a way to avoid hair that falls out from straightening, the first thing to do is obviously touse a good straightener. That is to say a straightener which makes it possible to avoid too strong attacks on your hair, while smoothing your hair correctly. For this, you will need a straightener that is equipped with:

An adjustable thermostat which allows you to adjust the temperature according to your hair type. here are the ideal temperatures to avoid attacking your hair and hair follicles:
- For thick, curly, afro, frizzy and difficult to straighten hair between 180 ° C and 220 ° C.
- For normal hair between 150 ° C and 180 ° C.
- Finally, for fine and fragile hair between 100 ° C and 150 ° C.

Technologies developed to protect your hair. This makes it possible to attack them less. The best technologies not to dry out your hair and therefore fight against hair loss related to straightening are:
- the steam straightener. The steam type hair straightener works by giving off a continuous flow of steam. This technology diffuses heat over the entire hair fiber to preserve it by moisturizing the hair.
- ceramic or tourmaline plates with keratin. These materials allow heat to diffuse evenly over the hair. As a result, they damage the hair less. In addition, the plates slide perfectly well, and avoid prolonged friction on the hair. Tourmaline allows an even more efficient glide to avoid attacking your hair. Finally, keratin helps protect the hair when straightening.
- Un integrated heat sensor which adjusts the heat according to the humidity of your hair to avoid drying it out is also a good option to prevent excessive hair loss from the straightener.

2 - Gentle products to prevent hair loss

Repeatedly straightened hair therefore ends up being weakened by heat. And to add to that, the hair products we use also put a strain on the hair. Harmful to health, and composed of ingredients from petrochemicals, they participate in the aggression of the hair follicles and therefore in hair loss. To choose truly gentle hair products, especially avoid in their composition sulfates, silicones and parabens.

Sulfated surfactants that you should banish to avoid falling out hair are: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS) and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS).
To recognize silicones, know that their name often end with "cone" and "xane".
In addition, watch out for shampoos and conditioners that say "free of sulfates, silicones, and parabens" when they replace them with other substitutes that are often just as harmful. We recommend that you use natural and / or organic shampoos. To help you choose your products, you can use the app INCIBeauty that analyzes your cosmetics.

We advise you extra-mild coconut and vegetable keratin shampoo

hair loss due to straightening solutions

Why choose it?

A very gentle shampoo enriched with organic coconut oil to nourish the hair and with vegetable keratin known to fortify and regenerate it.
Suitable for all types of hair, even sensitive ones.
Formulated with 96% ingredients of natural origin. It is sulfate-free, silicone-free and without toxic risk products.
Makes hair silky, soft, and shiny.

View product

3 - Protect your hair with thermo-protective products

To fight against hair that falls out due to the straightener, use thermo-protective products. As we have seen, when the hair is heated to too high a temperature, the heat can affect the hair follicles. As a result, they will weaken and cause hair loss.

So to avoid this, you will need to protect your hair from the heat and the aggression of the straightener with thermo-protective products, preferably natural or organic. They will prevent the heat from diffusing too violently into the hair fiber. You can easily get it in pharmacies, supermarkets, hairdressers or online. Again we advise you to use the app INCIBeauty to analyze the sprays and avoid ending up with too chemical products.

Use alternatives that smooth but without straighteners

As you can see, to stop hair loss linked to the straightener, you must first of all avoid that the hair is exposed to too high and repetitive heat. So, if you tend to straighten your hair every day and / or you have to use the straightener at a temperature above 180 °; we advise you to opt for another method smoothing :

Permanent straightening is the best solution to prevent hair falling out due to the straightener. There are two recognized: Japanese smoothing or Brazilian smoothing. These are permanent smoothings, making it possible to reduce or even stop the use of the straightener. Japanese straightening modifies the structure of the hair, makes the hair straight like sticks and makes it possible to completely stop the use of the straightener. Brazilian straightening is based on keratin. Unlike Brazilian straightening, it will not modify the structure of the hair: it will roll up the hair fiber and keep them straight. If you want them as stiff as slippers, from time to time you will need to add a small cost of straighteners. In both cases, it is necessary to consult a hairdresser before starting.

The rotating blower brush reduces the frequency of use of the straightener and thus prevent hair loss due to straightening. It works in the same way as a brushing, but it facilitates the work thanks to its blower directly integrated into the brush. It allows an effect above all "wavy" more than totally stiff.

The Wrap technique, curlers, Kardoune straightening or even straightening with the brush and a hair dryer at low temperature are also methods that can help you reduce your smoothing frequencies.

Assume your hair naturally: the best solution against hair loss

When you use the straightener, the hair follicles are still active, but weakened. By stopping the straightener, your hair should grow back normally after a while. It can take years to regain healthy, healthy hair. In addition, to achieve recovery of your hair, you will have to cut damaged areas, use soft products, and take appropriate care. Stopping using the straightener and assuming them natural is therefore the best solution to stop hair loss.