You may have heard by now that heat is the worst for gray hair. Some will tell you never ever use heat, but I will be the first to tell you that does not need to be the only answer.
We all have different needs when it comes to styling our silvers and achieving the results we desire.
In this post and video, I give you all the reasons you may need to buy new heat tools. Before you throw out all your tools or invest in really expensive tools keep reading.
If you prefer my videos you can watch this corresponding video:
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Not Sure Why You Should Replace Your Heat Tools?
If you’re just starting this journey of embracing your silver hair, this is information you can use now to protect your new growth.
If you have been on this journey for quite some time and your hair is fully silver, maybe you’re struggling with a little bit of yellowing. Maybe you just can’t figure out where it’s coming from—this could be one of the causes.
This post is not designed to send you rushing out to buy new tools. Quite the contrary, if you don’t need new tools but you have thought you did, this should help you figure that out. Let’s just make sure you don’t have a hot tool that could be causing an issue you can’t undo.
The unfortunate thing about heat damage once it occurs—it is permanent. You must grow it back out. This could be information that protects you from the pain and frustration of permanent discoloration.
#1 Check the Heat On Your Heat Tools:
No matter how old your tools are, check your current tools for how hot they get with a simple Heat Check.
An inexpensive tool could save you from buying all new equipment you don’t need; I use a basic high-heat infrared thermometer.
Paper burns at the same temperature as hair…450°F, if your devices are hovering around that temp, avoid this zone, always turn your tools down.
The temps you want to know:
- Between 248°F and 392°F, heat degrades the proteins in your hair, damage starts with breakage and then this oxidization turns the white hair yellow.
- After about 420°F, the hair will start to feel rough and can burn the cuticle, essentially the keratin is melting.
- The degradation begins sooner than you think: Depending on the source, hair damage begins to occur at 230°F, at 365°F this should be the max point, and hair will burn at 450°F.
This damage includes breakage so if you struggle with frizz this could be a culprit.
Temps per tool:
- You shouldn’t need any irons over 365°F to achieve your styles.
- Blow dryers under 230°F should be okay for your hair especially with heat protection.
#2 Do a Smell Check:
- If your device emits a burning odor, it is definitely time to replace.
- Or you actually see smoke coming out of it.
Smoke coming off the heat plates, bristles, or barrel, could be product buildup and just need cleaning.
#3 Check for Modern Heat Sensors:
Heat regulating sensors check the temp on your device multiple times per second, these sensors will then drop or raise the temperature of the device to keep in range of the setting it is on. Frankly, these heat sensors are invaluable.
You may need to look up your tool online if you don’t have the owners manual, but if the tool is really old it likely doesn’t have these modern sensors in it.
#4 Chip & Scratch Check:
Inspect your curling irons and flat irons — If any of your irons are chipping or have nicks on the edges, it is time to replace them; those chips can damage your hair. If you can see through the coating to the under-plates this can burn your hair.
#5 Age Of Your Tool
If your tools are more than ten years old, I’d also say time for the recycling bin. Because of that new tech, it is worth it to save your silvers.
#6 Check the Type of Plates
I had no idea until I started studying heat damage what the differences between plates were.
No matter what color your hair is, using the wrong plates can make your hair frizzy, cause breakage and burning, eventually causing permanent damage to your hair.
- Tourmaline-coated: a crushed crystal coating, over any type of plate. When heated, tourmaline emits negative ions, which reduces static and frizz.
- Ceramic-coated plates: coating made of clay, they are more gentle on any fragile hair type. Best suited for fine to normal and thin to normal hair types.
- Titanium plates: metal plates, best suited for coarse and thicker hair types. Titanium plates get very hot, so use with caution. Avoid if you already have damaged hair.
- Overall, if you want to play it safe, stick to tourmaline coated ceramic.
#7 Check Range of Controls
The more controls you have the more you can customize your tool to your hair type.
Irons and Their Settings:
Because of the direct contact with your hair I think you should invest in the best curling and flat irons you can. It is worth it.
If your curling or flat irons have low- medium- high but don’t tell you the actual temps on the device, it might be time for new ones. Unless you can heat check the settings and confirm they stay low enough.
If you can see the temperature setting or reading on a screen, and it matches the temp check, that’s the best.
Hair Dryers and Their Settings:
- If your dryer only has low and high heat … these could be too limiting for protecting your silvers and getting your hair styled safely.
- You want controls for at least cool shot, low, medium, and high. Sometimes cool shot and low are the same.
#8 Inspect the Cord
If the cord is old or damaged, you could have electrical issues like surges that could cause the tool to malfunction and burn your hair. Inspect the length of the cord for any splits, burn spots, or cracks along the connector.
Some Hot Tool Buying Tips:
Review the Tech Specs:
When searching for new tools, you can usually find the tech specs for the devices on the manufacturer’s website. Check to see if they give you the temperatures per setting.
Again…You can always test the heat output yourself with an infrared thermometer. They aren’t that expensive. Or a simple meat thermometer can give you somewhat of an idea.
Buy from places that allow returns:
I highly encourage you to buy new tools from places that allow you to try the tools and return it if needed. Usually, this is not a big deal for major brands, they refurbish the item and sell it at a discount.
That way if you find the tool to be too hot or it does not have enough controls you aren’t stuck with it.
Dyson, Sephora, Ulta and sometimes Amazon all allow returns.
If your tools don’t pass this checklist, it might be time for new ones.
- Temperature Check
- Dryers below 250°F
- Irons Below 365°F
- Smell check
- Sensor check
- Check for Chips, cracks, scratches
- Age of Your Tools
- Check the Type of Plates
- Check range of controls
- Cord check
My favorites for my fine, thin, wavy silver hair:
Click the name of the product to purchase via my affiliate links.
- The Laifen Swift Hair Dryer • $10 off with code JOLILF
- Paul Mitchell Neuro Sleek Smoothing Hot Brush
My Honest Review: Paul Mitchell Neuro Sleek Smoothing Hot Brush
- Kristin Ess Hair 3-In-One Ceramic Flat Iron
You can also check out my Heat Tools Shop on Amazon
The planet and I thank you for recycling:
If you decide you need to replace your tools please recycle or pass your tools onto someone who can use them.
If you aren’t sure where to recycle you can do an internet search for “e-recycling near me” and you should be able to find a place nearby.
I hope you found this post educational and helpful.
Thank you for reading. Please feel free to share.
As always it is about so much more than the hair.
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