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Best Hair Straighteners That Don't Cause Hair Damage

Straightening your hair can be a quick and easy method of looking put together, with minimal effort. They're simple to use, great for almost all hair types, and with an abundance of models on the market - you're spoilt for choice! But there's one big stigma around hair straighteners - that heat = damage.

Damaged hair can lead to flyaways, breakage, and strands that feel more like straw than hair - which we're sure you want to avoid at all costs. But what can you do about it? Luckily, ghd has invested in research and development, to create several options that won't damage your hair. Keep reading to learn more!

At what temperature does damage occur?

While all hair types and textures can respond to heat settings differently, there is a particular heat setting that most styling experts recommend avoiding - and that is 200 degrees Celsius. In fact, hair can begin to melt at 220 degrees Celsius, which can cause irreversible damage!

Knowing this, you will not find a ghd styler that exceeds 185 degrees - as our experts have found this to be the optimal temperature that can both style and protect the hair at the same time. 

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What makes 185 degrees the optimal temperature to straighten hair?

We're so glad you asked! 185 degrees is the safest and best temperature for styling hair, no matter your hair type or thickness. But why is that?

When styling your hair at a temperature above 190 degrees, you risk internally damaging the cortex of the hair, which is irreversible and will definitely lead to damage in the form of breakage, dryness, and split ends - everything we're trying to avoid.

When styling your hair with temperatures cooler than 160 degrees, you can also damage your hair. This time, the external cuticle might be the victim, leading to drier, more porous hair that stops your style from holding.

Don't panic though - 185 degrees is the sweet spot! This is the optimum temperature that allows our styling tools to offer salon-worthy results without compromising your hair's health and leading to unnecessary damage.

Which ghd straightener should I choose for my hair?

We have plenty of amazing straighteners that have all been designed to reduce damage as much as possible. But the perfect option for you will come down to your hair type and the results you want. Here are some of our all-time favourites:

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ghd Chronos

the best option for long-lasting, salon-quality results

Hair Types

  • Curly hair
  • Wavy hair
  • Straight hair

Product Summary

The ghd chronos straightener is our professional HD motion-responsive styler, which is two times more responsive than other stylers for super-fast personalised styling. These straighteners can transform any type of hair in just one stroke, so there's no need to keep passing over the same section to get a straight, silky finish.

The ceramic plates make sure the heat energy is delivered evenly to your hair, straightening it all at the same time without leaving kinks or hot spots that will be more susceptible to damage.

Reasons to buy

If you find yourself without much time in the mornings, the ghd chronos will be your best friend. It can cut your styling time in half due to its intuitive design that anticipates your every move. The optimal heat settings help to keep your hair straight for a full 24 hours, so you don't have to risk damaging your hair by re-straightening it throughout the day.

What Customers Say

  • ​​​​​​​Many buyers loved how quickly the ceramic plates heated up, letting them use the styler quicker without wasting time.
  • Most customers have noted that these straighteners are perfect for all hair types. 
  • A fan favourite feature of these stylers was how sleek and shiny the tool left the hair, with noticeably less frizz appearing throughout the day.
  • Some buyers even noted that the results lasted for days, so it was well worth the money! 

Product Specs

  • ​​​​​​​Plates: Ultra-gloss coated plates
  • Settings: 185 degrees
  • Cord length: 2.7 m
  • Warranty: Three years
SHOP GHD CHRONOS
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GHD DUET STYLE

the best option for those who want to style wet hair without heat damage

Hair Types

  • Curly hair
  • Wavy hair
  • Straight hair

Product Summary

The ghd duet style is the first 2-in-1 hot air styler that can both dry hair and style it at the same time, using up to 45% less energy and saving you plenty of time after a shower! This styler has won multiple awards for its ingenuity and uniqueness, with thousands of customers making the switch.
The best thing about this revolutionary styler is that it dries and styles using the optimal temperature, alongside Air-Fusion technology, which means it doesn't damage hair, either.

Reasons to buy

The ghd duet style utilises its powerful performance to expertly dry hair from the roots to tips, while maintaining a consistent heat. The smart styling plates feature infinity sensors which predict your hair needs, finished with an ultra-gloss coating to make sure the results are smooth, frizz free, and last all day long.

What Customers Say

  • Most customers love how much time this styler can save by drying and styling hair at the same time.
  • Some buyers mentioned how they achieved salon-quality results in just 15 minutes!
  • Customers claim that their hair remains styled for multiple days at a time.

Product Specs

  • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Plates: Ultra-gloss coated smart styling plates
  • Settings: Air-fusion technology for wet hair
                   Shine shot mode for dry hair only
  • Cord length: 2.7 m
  • Warranty: Two years
SHOP GHD DUET STYLE
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ghd Max

the best option for long, thick hair with wavy and curly textures

Hair types

  • Curly hair
  • Wavy hair
  • Straight hair

Product Summary

The ghd max straightener comes with impressive 1.65-inch plates, making it wider than many other models on the market. These let you pass over larger sections of hair at once, speeding up the styling process. The optimal temperature means you don't have to go over each section multiple times, preventing damage as much as possible as less heat touches the hair.

The wide plates aren't the only selling points of the max styler, as there are heat sensors found all along the plates. These sensors ensure even heat distribution, limiting heat exposure on even already-heated hair.

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Reasons to Buy

The ghd Max straightener has been designed with minimal heat damage in mind, even when used on long, thick, or curly hair. The heat distribution is as effective and even as possible, keeping curls moisturised and protected without hot spots damaging your curl pattern. With 80% more shine and up to 2x less frizz, you can enjoy beautifully styled hair all day long.

What Customers Say

  • Many buyers really liked how effortlessly this styler tackled curls and coarse hair, helping them keep their hair styling time to a minimum no matter their hair type.
  • Most customers loved the wider plates and how these straightened more hair in less time.
  • These straighteners have been voted by plenty of customers as the best for people with long or thick hair.
  • Some buyers even mentioned that these straighteners made their hair feel healthier compared to other straighteners as a result of the optimal heat temperature.

Product Specs

  • Plates: Super wide 1.65-inch ceramic plates
  • Settings: 185 degrees
  • Cord length: 2.7 m
  • Warranty: Two years
     

SHOP GHD MAX
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ghd Mini

perfect for short hair & fringes

Hair Types

  • Wavy hair
  • Straight hair
  • Short hair

Product Summary

Do you have short hair that normal straighteners tend to be too bulky for? Then let us introduce you to the ghd mini, a styler specifically designed for short hair queens. The plates are 40% slimmer, making them perfect for sculpting pixie cuts, bobs, and even fringes, letting you get right next to the roots to prevent kinks and flat patches.
The slimline dual-zone technology uses two heat sensors to consistently monitor the heat, leaving the hair more healthy-looking and shiny, no matter what your hair type.

Reasons to buy

The mini styler is perfect for shorter hair and fringes. Many people with short hair use normal sized stylers only to find them too big, and the plates often can't reach the tightest areas like the roots. While this isn't usually a problem for people with longer hair, short hair tends to make it much more noticeable. So, the 15 mm plates are perfect for reaching these pieces without having to pass over the hair multiple times, avoiding heat damage.

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What Customers Say

  • ​​​​​​​Some buyers really like that they can curl their hair with these straighteners, too, making them a 2-in-1 styler.
  • Most customers love the mini for fine hair which doesn't usually hold style very well.
  • The optimum heat temperature keeps your hair protected from damage with the heat sensors, keeping it smooth and sleek after each pass.
  • Some customers loved that the smaller size made it perfect to travel with.

Product Specs

  • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Plates: 15 mm high gloss coated plates
  • Settings: 185 degrees for optimum styling
  • Cord length: 2.7 m
  • Warranty: Two years
SHOP GHD MINI
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ghd Unplugged

perfect for those looking for a portable, travel hair straightener

Hair Types

  • Curly hair
  • Wavy hair
  • Straight hair

Product Summary

The unplugged stylers let you take care of your hair anywhere in the world! They're the only cordless hair straighteners that heat up within 45 seconds with 20 minutes of styling time on a single charge, letting you touch up little imperfections within seconds. This is perfect for preventing unnecessary heat damage by straightening your entire head again, as you can only pass over the few sections that actually need it.

These straighteners work at the optimum styling temperature of 185 degrees, keeping your hair sleek and shiny without exposing it to extreme heat. The styler fully cools down within just 15 minutes, so you can take it anywhere without creating a safety risk.

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Reasons to buy

The unplugged styler is super compact and lightweight, being 47% less heavy and 30% smaller than the average straightener. The USB charger could not be easier to use and there's a battery level indicator to make sure you're never caught without your trusty back-up.

What Customers Say

  • Some customers were impressed with how many times they could use this styler on a single charge.
  • Perfect if you're looking for a styler that's small, lightweight and quick to use away from home.
  • Many customers liked the included accessories including the USB charger and travel case.
  • Some buyers loved that they could charge the straightener up and keep it in their bag for emergencies.

Product Specs

  • Plates: Smooth contoured plates with high gloss coating
  • Settings: Up to 20 minutes of cordless styling at 185 degrees
  • Cord length: Cordless
  • Warranty: Two years
SHOP GHD UNPLUGGED

What are the challenges of styling hair with adjustable temperatures?

Many stylers on the market have adjustable temperatures between 170 and 250 degrees, giving users the ability to choose the heat settings for their hair. While this might sound appealing, it comes at a huge cost... irreversible damage.

It can be tempting to use a higher temperature when you're in a rush as you might think it'll speed the entire process up, but this isn't the case. Our optimum temperature setting of 185 degrees is the perfect temperature to straighten hair quickly, keep it styled all day long - all without the risk of damaging your hair.

Other tips to help protect hair when using a straightener

Here are some of our expert tips on how to protect your hair when using our styling tools:

  • Always use heat protectant spray! We recommend ghd Bodyguard for all hair types.
  • Make sure your hair is completely dry before using a straightener, unless you're using the ghd duet styl
  • Avoid making multiple passes over the same piece of hair while it's still hot, as this can increase the chance of damage.
  • Only use premium quality tools, as your hair deserves the best!
  • Take care of your hair between styling sessions, by using conditioning treatments and re-moisturising oils.
  • Only use a lightweight hair spray to avoid your hair getting weighed down - we recommend ghd Perfect Ending.

Final Thoughts

We pride ourselves on utilising an optimal styling temperature of 185 degrees in our hair styling range, to avoid damage as much as possible. Any straighteners with varied temperatures come with the risk of damaging hair, both if you use it too hot or too cold. Try ghd to prevent damage and keep your hair as healthy as possible! 

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