The steam straightener is nothing but a hair straightening tool with the most advanced features and types available currently in the market. Unlike the traditional hair straightener, it has bristles inside of it.
As the name sounds, it uses steam to straighten your hair and theoretically is less damaging than the traditional flat irons. When using steam straighteners , you can not only get sleek, straighten hair, but also you can have super shiny strands as well.
The most frequently asked question about the steam straightener is whether you should use a steam straightener on wet hair or not. So, we have dedicated this article to answer this question.
Straightening With Steam Straightener?
Before getting directly to the answer, it would be better for you to know (if you don’t know yet) how the steam straightener works actually. This will help you better understand why you should or shouldn’t use a steam straightener on your wet hair.
Steam hair straighteners work as regular straighteners do – you place your strands between the plates, which are generally covered with bristles made with ceramic (in general), and gently pull throughout the hair to make it straight. These are the best for straightening curly weave
The only difference is here in the steam straightener. There are bristles on the plates, which work like a brush, unlike the flat plates from the regular hair straighteners.
However, steam straighteners use steam technology (alternatively called vapor infusion technology), where the steam is derived from the water to provide heat. You need to fill up the water chamber with water (of course) every 15-20 minutes. The steam released from the tool adds moisture to prevent your strands from overdrying and makes your hair shiny and healthy.
Can You Use a Steam Straightener on Wet Hair?
You probably have heard that any hot tool on your hair is harmful, and the damages can be more if you apply the tool on your wet hair. What about the steam straightener? The same thing applies with this tool too. Many wonder, why arent’t steam straighteners harmful to your hair if they use water as a basis for the straightening process? The reason is that these tools have vents that allow the water to evaporate. Therefore, no damaging water molecules are left on your hair to cause any damage.
Now, another common question. If you can blow-dry your wet hair, then why you can’t use a steam straightener on it? Then the answer is simple. Steam straightener uses heat, and your hair gets direct contact with it. When you are using it on your wet hair, it will destroy your hair molecules too fast and burn your hair. This will also cause frizz and destroy your hair texture as well.
Morevover, we hear from the girls that they felt shocked while using a steam straightener on their wet hair. Moreover, it makes their hair full of static and makes their hair damp permanently.
We have seen that if your hair is completely dry, direct heat on it can cause frizz and breakage. So, we always recommend you use a heat protectant on your dry hair before using any heat tools. Some girls say in humid weather, a steam straightener works better as your hair does not become fully dry, and with the moisture, the steam straightener can make your hair shiny and smooth. But that does not mean we recommend you to let your hair wet and use a steam straightener on that wet strands. It is better to use a low heat setting if you are straightening dry hair, damaged or colored hair.
However, some brands say a steam straightener is best to use when your hair is 90-95% dry. But if you are into flat irons and cannot depend on the steam straightener, you can blow dry hair completely (100%) and use a flat iron instead. It will be a lot safer. Besides, though a steam straightener can add shine to your hair, you will not get volume after straightening with this tool. So, if you want volume or have thin hair, avoid a steam straightener.
Also Check Out: Is Steampod Better for Your Hair
What Can You Do Now?
If you like to use a steam straightener, here are some important things to follow.
- Wash your hair properly with shampoo and conditioner before using a steam straightener
- It is better to towel dry your hair or let it dry naturally
- Apply a heat protectant before using a steam straightener
- You must split your hair into small sections while straightening
- Allow the too to heat up before using it on your hair
- Start styling from the lower section of your hair
- Set the unit in wet mode. Choose the right temperature according to your hair type and the condition
- Put the vent holes away from your scalp and hand to prevent burning. Steam burns are more painful than any other irons.
That’s all for today. We have included some other factors for your better understanding. Hope you now fully understand that can you use a steam straightener on wet hair or not.
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Writer and Content Manager at InStraight. Lovella’s philosophy is that everybody’s beauty is merely a reflection of loving yourself . ♀️ She loves to write and discover new cultures. Find her on Facebook
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Lily is the Editor-in-Chief and one of the writers here on InStraight and ThoseGRACES.com. Growing up with thick hair that has a mind of its own, she’s always been passionate about finding the gentlest yet most effective products to help tame her wild mane. You can find more about her HERE. FOLLOW HER on FACEBOOK.
Hi,
I was always confused about how a steam straightener works and after reading this article, now I understand its mechanism. However, I still have some questions. On which type of hair should I use this type of flat iron? Is it safe for all types of hair out there?
However, I must say that it’s a great piece of writing. Very neat and well-described!
Keep up the good work!
Best wishes to you and your team.
Dear Oprah,
Thank you very much for your kind words. We appreciate our readers’ feedback.
You can use a steam flat iron on any type of hair. It doesn’t matter if you have fine or thick hair, a steam straightener would produce the same result on all hair types.
We hope this would help.
Hello there,
As far as I know, straightening your damp hair causes bubble hair. But nowhere in this article have you mentioned this. May I know why?
Other than this, this content is really readable. You have researched well before penning it down. Keep up the pace guys!
Thank you.
Dear Patricia,
Thank you very much for your sweet words. We appreciate our readers’ reactions.
Yes straightening your damp hair with a flat iron indeed causes bubble hair. But it’s doesn’t occur with steam flat irons as they help to evaporate the water from the hair. And that’s why we didn’t mention it here.
We hope this would help you.
Thank you very much for clearing it up. Much love!
Dear writers,
This is an excellent piece of writing that explains everything about the topic. I just love how you guys always stick to the main point and don’t include any rubbish in your content.
That’s a praiseworthy aspect.
Keep providing us with such informative yet enjoyable writings.
Thank you.
Harper.
Dear Harper,
Thank you very much for your kind, inspiring words. We always enjoy our readers’ feedback.
Hello there,
There is no doubt that it’s an amazingly put together piece of writing with just the right amount of information. I enjoyed reading every part of it.
But I do have some minor disappointment.
If you had added some pictures and make some subheadings and bullets in the main content, I think, I would have been even more delightful to read.
Nonetheless, it was good.
Dear Simi,
First of all, you very much for your encouraging words. We are overwhelmed.
Secondly, we appreciate your suggestion. We would keep this in mind in the future.
Hello there,
After going through the whole article, I have noticed that you didn’t recommend any steam flat iron for your readers. How are we supposed to find the best one in the market if you guys don’t suggest us any?
In some of the articles you recommend so many products and in some you don’t even give any hint. I would like to see a balance.
Just a friendly suggestion; nothing personal!
Dear Kelly,
Thank you very much for your feedback. We appreciate our readers’ reactions.
The reason we didn’t recommend any steam straightener in this article is that we have a whole piece of writing dedicated to this topic on this website and therefore, we didn’t want to bore our readers.
Moreover, as the content itself is quite long, we though suggesting products and adding their names will make it even longer and annoy our readers.
We hope we could answer you.