Q&A for How to Use Hair Rollers

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  • Question
    How long do you leave Velcro rollers in your hair?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    You should leave Velcro rollers in for between 10-30 minutes usually, but you can leave them in longer if you wish. Since there's little to no heat or moisture involved the timing is flexible.
  • Question
    Can I put curlers in my hair when it wet?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, but you need to use magnetic rollers. You can also roll damp hair with velcro rollers, but don't use them on soaking wet strands.
  • Question
    How can I heat my rollers now that the heater has broken?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    You can still use the rollers without the heater but the results will be softer. Prep hair with a heat reactant spray or light styling mousse. Roll with firm tension and pin in place. Use a hairdryer to gently heat the completed roller set and then allow to cool for 15 minutes before removing rollers.
  • Question
    How long do you leave hot rollers in your hair?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    You don't want to remove them until the hair has completely cooled. This usually takes between 10-20 minutes.
  • Question
    Is it okay for guys to roller set their hair?
    Community Answer
    Why not, if your hair is long enough? There are no laws against it.
  • Question
    Can I use rollers on dry hair, if I put mousse or hairspray on it once they're all placed?
    Community Answer
    You can, but the curls might not last as long. If your hair is dry and you want to use rollers, use a spray bottle to easily dampen your hair with water as you place the rollers.
  • Question
    How can I sleep with curlers in my hair? Are there tips to make it more comfortable?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it's uncomfortable. One thing you can do is to find one comfortable position that doesn't irritate your head. Or, use soft roller which can press down without hurting.
  • Question
    Can I curl natural African hair without applying chemicals?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but you should use low heat.
  • Question
    How can I curl just the ends of my hair with rollers?
    Community Answer
    You can curl just the ends of your hair using the same techniques described in this article. Instead of rolling the roller all the way to your head, however, just roll it as far as you want the curls. If you want to make your hair curve inwards or outwards, like a flip, then consider using the largest roller you can find.
  • Question
    Should I use hairspray when I take the rollers out?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you may use a light mist of hairspray to set the style.
  • Question
    What will happens if I don't dry my hair and take the hair rollers out?
    Community Answer
    Your hair will fall limp and the curls will come out. It will be as though you did nothing to begin with. You must let your hair dry with the hair rollers in.
  • Question
    What can I use beside clips to keep the rollers in my hair?
    Mekalea Hoover
    Community Answer
    You could use two or three bobby pins to keep the roller in place.
  • Question
    Can my hair be wet for the first method?
    Community Answer
    Just spray your hair enough to dampen it before letting it out, then flip your hair (almost like head banging) afterwards.
  • Question
    How long do I keep the hair rollers in?
    Community Answer
    It depends on your hair type and which roller you use. Normal hot rollers are more commonly used. If you have thick hair, 30 - 45 minutes. If you have thinner hair, 20 - 30 minutes should work perfectly.
  • Question
    I want to curl my hair in a couple of days but I only have 30 minutes to get it to curl. My hair does not easily curl, and I don't use products except hairspray. Will I be able to get it to curl well?
    Community Answer
    Maybe. Separate yout hair into parts and use rollers. Use a hair dryer to dry them, then apply the hairspray.
  • Question
    Should I sleep with Velcro rollers in?
    Community Answer
    If you can. Sleeping with Velcro rollers in will make your curls be more defined, however it may be more uncomfortable.
  • Question
    If I use Velcro rollers, won't my hair get caught in the Velcro?
    Community Answer
    No, the Velcro is only to ensure they grip on their own in the hair, but only if used correctly. If you don’t curl it right it will probably get caught in the hair.
  • Question
    is it acceptable for a guy to have a full head of curlers?
    Rhona1000
    Community Answer
    No law against it and hair rollers are the best way to curl your hair. Rollers aren't gendered.
  • Question
    Can I curl my hair all by myself if I'm 9?
    Community Answer
    Yes! Age doesn’t limit curling hair. If your parents allow it, curl away.
  • Question
    Does this work for flat or thin hair?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Just use a mousse or volumizing hairspray to help your curls hold.
  • Question
    How can I get my hair to hold a curl?
    Community Answer
    Use some hairspray or a little wax. If this doesn't work, try leaving the rollers in longer.
  • Question
    How do I get permanent curly hair?
    Community Answer
    You can get a "perm" - talk it over with your stylist to see if it's right for you because you'll want to make sure you get the right amount of curl or wave you're looking for and in some shops, if you go in for a "perm" sometimes it means straightening. A perm chemically alters the structure of your curl pattern to fit whatever curlers they use when they do it, and it can do some damage to the hair. However, with the right stylist and care routine, you can still have the healthy, curly hair you want after a perm.
  • Question
    What mousse should I buy?
    Community Answer
    You'll need a curl activating mousse. I use Smooth'n Shine Polishing curl activating mousse. Ordinarily, you can buy it at stores like Walgreens, Target and CVS.
  • Question
    How can I take the velcro rollers out without frizzing my hair?
    Community Answer
    Before applying the rollers, use a frizz control serum, and avoid blow drying. If possible, air dry.
  • Question
    The Velcro ones keep getting stuck in my hair. How can I stop this?
    Community Answer
    Free the roller of hair from any hair around it (adjacent curls etc.). Tease out the hair that is at either end of the roller, then continue toward the middle of the rolled hair as you slowly unwind the curler.
  • Question
    Instead of using gel in the third method, could I just leave my hair a little damp and let it dry? Will the curls come out the same?
    Community Answer
    You could. They will come out the same, but they might not last as long. Even a cheap mousse would help curls to stay in throughout the day.
  • Question
    Can you reuse foam rollers? If not, are there any types of rollers that can be reused?
    Community Answer
    I'm pretty sure all curlers can be reused! Especially foam rollers. I've owned the same set of foam rollers for at least 5 years, and they still work great.
  • Question
    Can I use the same method with foam curlers?
    Community Answer
    If you're using foam rollers, don't heat them. Just follow the instructions for Method 3.
  • Question
    I have some 3/4" and 1" plastic salon type rollers. How long does my hair need to be to use these rollers as my hair is currently growing out and it's between 2 to 3" in length?
    Rhona1000
    Community Answer
    You need to be a be able to wrap your hair at least 1.5 times around rollers for a C curl or 2 x for an S curl. So keep on growing your hair to say 4.5 inches at least for 3/4" rollers and 6" for 1" rollers to create C Curl. If you want S Curls hair lengths should be 6" for 3/4" and 8" for 1". However, if you just want volume only, you need to put roller 1x, so 3/4" rollers will be okay for 3" hair length and you could try 1/2" rollers in your 2" hair length.
  • Question
    Will my hair break if I use the foam rollers to curl my hair every day?
    Community Answer
    No, foam rollers are made to be soft enough to prevent hair breakage. You are more likely to get tired of putting them in or sleeping on them than that they will harm your hair.
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