Do you need to blow dry hair before straightening?

Question

Does it make the hair shinier if you blow-dry before straightening hair or does it actually damage it? Also is it better to blow dry wet or dry hair?
Thanks

thanks everyone for answering i really appreciate it. :-)
i kno ur not meant to straighten hair when its wet (unless you have special straighteners) and i only asked if it was better to blow dry dry hair because thats what my hairdresser did. Thanks again and because everyone's answered differently i guess i'll try blow-drying then straightening and just straightening and see which is better and quicker. x

Answer 1

Any heat you apply is going to damage it. My stylist told me if I feel that I must blow dry it prior to using my flat iron that I need to make sure it is 100% dry to avoid more damage. She said, never, never, never put an iron in your hair when it is still damp. She recommended I blow dry it at night and Chi it in the morning, which is what I have started doing and have noticed less breakage.

Answer 2

Do not, under any circumstances, straighten your hair before you blow dry it. That will totally damage your hair. If you have a wet-to-straight straightener, it's better to use with damp or completely dry hair. Products can make all the difference if you want shiny, smooth, hair. Use the products, but never straighten before blow drying.

Answer 3

Don't straighten it wet unless you have a straightener that is specifically for that purpose! Slightly damp is okay I guess, but that's just about as safe as straightening your hair over a sink full of water. Hello electricity.

Use products like thermasilk or other ones that have heat damage protection and blow dry. Your hair will stay clean looking longer if you blow dry first.

Answer 4

You should air dry your hair and then straighten it.
Your hair is most vulnerable when wet and blow drying damages your hair as well. If your not in a hurry just air dry but if you have no time put some moisturizer in your hair, blow dry it at a low level if you can then straighten. I have never heard that blow drying your hair makes it shiner. It is what you put in it that compliments your hair texture that makes it shine..

Answer 5

Hi for one thing you have to use hair straigteners on dry hair it doesnt matter if its slightly damp. Also if you dry your hair first you may find it will become more dryer and brittle as the heat from the hair dryer and the hair straigteners weaken the hair. I find my hair is more shiny if i use heat protection spray and then leave my hair to dry naturally then straigten when its dry, then i get a smoother shinier result as my hair hasnt been damaged from the heat of the hair dryer. As you have to wait for your hair to dry it takes ages so most of the time i use an hair dryer but i always make sure i use a leave in conditioner and heat protection spray before i dry it with the hair dryer. I then spray my dry hair again with the heat protection spray then starighten.
If you are just blow drying its better to dry damp hair with the hair dryer as it causes less damage.

Answer 6

Yes.. you should but some straighteners are the ones where your hair can be wet when straightening it.. BUT it would take Way longer to do it wet.. if your blow dry it your hair turns out softer and much more prettier. having it done wet can sue your hair to break off

Answer 7

If you have a wet to straight iron, you don't need to blow-dry, but it can take a bit longer.

If you blow-dry, then straighten, it's quicker, the trick is to put plenty of protecting product in, that will give a better shine too.

Answer 8

Ok ALWAYS,ALWAYS make sure your hair is bone dry before you put a straightener near your hair!
When your hair is wet it is at it's most weakest, you need to be super careful otherwise your hair will snag and break off.
Also, make sure you use a hair protection spray, Tresemme do a could one, don't know where your from but any equivalent of this will work wonders for you.

http://www.tresemme.com/products/show_product.cfm?pid=47

Answer 9

Get the best results l& most efficient time ike this:
1. allow hair to air dry half way before blow drying with a big round brush.
2. go over with a straightner to add sleek, straight shine.

Answer 10

Blow drying you hair does not make it shinier it damages your hair! And if your straightening your hair you might as well not blow-dry your hair.