Q&A for How to Flat Iron Hair

No, don't ever use a flat iron on wet hair. If you do try to straighten your hair while it's wet, the flat iron will cause a lot of damage. It's likely that your hair will just fall out or break off afterwards. Make sure that your hair is 100% dry before you try to straighten it.

If the straightener you just bought is not working, you should try to take it back to the store to exchange it for another one. It's not possible to straighten your hair with a broken straightener.

If the heat protectant comes in a gel or serum, you should apply it when the hair is damp. If it's a spray, then you can apply on either dry or damp hair.

Try getting hair trims only, not cuts. Have these about once every three months to keep it even. Don't use too much heat on your hair if you want to grow it out. Make sure to condition/moisturize your hair quite often! Use leave-in conditioners to make your hair healthy.

No. Sea salt spray is all about adding texture and volume to your hair. If anything, it would make your hair look thicker and less straight. If you're going for straight hair, opt for the spray that's designed to reduce frizz instead.

I wouldn't. The extra moisture can cause your hair to break from being heated so quickly. Your hair should be as dry as possible.

Slowly pull the iron down your hair -- this can take anywhere from 5 to 10 seconds depending on your hair's length. Don't ever hold a straightener in one place; you should be continuously moving it from the root to the end of your hair.

Once moisture meets with the heat straightened hair, your hair will go back to its original state. Thus, it's best to do this on dry, sunny days without a chance of rain.

Anywhere from a few hours in a humid climate to a few days in a dry one. Hairspray or other post-straightening products can help.

If you have wavy, healthy hair, you can straighten every two to four days, as long as you use safe flat iron techniques and condition regularly. If you're transitioning from chemical straighteners to natural afro-textured hair, try to stick to no more than one flat iron treatment every two weeks. You can increase this to once a week or so as your hair becomes healthier.

First, section your hair off. Then try moving the flat iron down slowly, one section at a time.

It's not healthy, per say. It may cause brittleness of the hair.

It depends on your hair length and type. For long, thick hair, it can take anywhere between 45 minutes and 1 hour 15 minutes. The shorter, thinner, or straighter your hair is to begin with, the quicker it will be.

It would be a good idea because if hair is dirty when heat is applied, you may get frizz. Also, condition your hair, but rinse it out well or the conditioner will burn.

Give it a quick, nourishing treatment and secure it with hair spray before you sleep or do vigorous activities, such as sports or exercise.

You don't necessarily need a blow dryer, just be sure your hair is 100 percent dry before straightening. For this advice, you need a straightener though.

It would be best to let your hair grow out, so that you are only straightening healthy, undamaged hair. If you must straighten your hair, be sure to use a moisturizing shampoo and condition, as well as a heat protectant spray. Also, try to use a lower heat setting on your flat iron.

A flat iron wouldn't do anything for braids - real or fake - and could potentially mess them up. Unless you've taken apart the braids and want to straighten the extensions then, in which case, you could, but be careful.

About 10 to 15 minutes. You want to be sure the iron is hot enough.

Gray hair, if not dyed, typically tends to be weaker than your natural hair. It can be flat ironed but may not last as long or may not have the same effect. You also have a higher risk of hair shock which could result in some strands of hair falling out.

If you're really desperate to show off your luscious straight hair, then add more grease. Any grease would work. You can also give it a quick flat ironing before you go anywhere.

Yes.

It is possible, but extremely unlikely. Risk factors increase if your hair is already extremely thin or damaged.

TreSemme Thermal Creation Heat Tamer is a good serum for all hair types and is found in local drugstores.

It's best to use a heat protecting serum or spray, so the heat doesn't damage your hair as much.

Use lower heat to avoid frying your hair, apply conditioner a few times a week and use an oil only on the ends to tame the frizz.

Straighten your hair almost all the way to the end, but leave the tips alone. This might make them curl. You could also straighten your hair to the bottom and curl the straightener upwards at the end.

It can take up to 1 to 3 hours.

Nothing, as long as your hair is completely dry before you straighten it. Blow-drying just makes your hair dry much faster, if you don't have the time to wait for it to air dry. If you try to straighten hair that is still wet, it won't work as well and it will damage your hair more.

Most likely not, as it will form into the shape of the bun. If you straighten your hair, put it in a loose ponytail with a loose scrunchie, and just touch it up in the morning.