How bad are GHDs for your hair?

[Doshusallie]

I have recently bought some and have used them 3-4 times already, love the straight look on my usually very curly hair, for a change.

Haven't got around to buying any heat protection spray yet though and am worried that it is really drying out my hair...does it take years to damage your harid by straightening it or should I be worried?

I have been using them for years with no problems, I dont use heat protection spray, my hair is a little dry at the ends but I think its all the colouring I get done.

Hi Doshusallie

I'm a hair dresser and I'd never recommend using straightners or any other heat product (eg curlers) without heat protector.

A lot of the high street ones (thinking VO5 here!) aren't worth the money.

I'd recommend Kerastase Ciment Thermique, which you should be able to get from a salon or online for about £8. You only need to use it once in every four or five times you use straightners so it does actually work out cheaper than the crappy £4 high street heat protectors.

I'd also recommend a regular (every couple of days) use of coconut oil to the ends of your hair if you're using heat on it.

Some people go for years using GHDs and similar without any issues but the vast majority of people get split ends and in a lot of cases hair just snaps off after a while.

HTH

www.gorgeousshop.co.uk/shop/kerastase-all-products-1685/kerastase-ciment-thermique-125ml-752.html This is the one I'd recommend although I suspect you can buy it cheaper elsewhere online.

oooh that's brilliant Toastie, am going to buy it right now, thnaks very much! And notsoblonde! Don't colour my hair so that's ok.

Should add Doshusallie that you only need a teeny bit of the Kerastase stuff as well- a bit bigger than a pea for shoulder length hair- so it'll last for ages

And it smells like cucumber, which is always a bonus.

I use this, and the cheapest I've found it is £13.61 with free delivery on www.feelunique.com (this price includes a 10% discount for new customers). I think its good - my hair is in better condition than it was when I wasn't using it, and I straighten my hair twice a week.

Thanks happy - have bought toastie's recommendation but will book mark that site thanks alot.