Flat Irons and Burning Yourself

Woman who burned her ear with a flat iron
Photo: Imarin/Shutterstock
Q: I would like to buy my own flat iron, but I hear so many horror stories about people burning themselves with hair straighteners. How dangerous are hair straighteners? Can they really burn your skin or are only low-quality flat irons doing this?
 
A: Well, flat irons are compact appliances featuring two heated plates designed to clamp down tightly on strands of hair. Because of how they work, they can cause painful burns if you do not handle them with proper care. This risk is not unique to flat irons. Curling irons and standard clothing irons carry the same dangers.
 
The belief that only low-quality irons cause burns is a myth. In fact, expensive professional flat irons can pose a higher burn risk because they heat up much faster, retain heat better, and sometimes reach intense temperatures, up to 230°C (450°F). But most burn injuries have nothing to do with how much the flat iron costs. They happen when someone is rushing, distracted, or using improper styling techniques.
 
You need to pay close attention when you are using a flat iron around sensitive areas that stick out (like your ears, forehead, and the back of your neck), as these can easily make contact with the hot plates or outer casing.
 
Additionally, there are some important safety factors to keep in mind when buying and using a flat iron:
 
• Choose a model with precise, adjustable heat settings: Avoid tools with just "On/Off" or simple High/Low switches. A digital or dial control gives you real control over the heat. Fine or damaged hair straightens at lower temperatures, and using unnecessary heat increases your burn risk without improving your results. Always begin at a low temperature and slowly increase it, if necessary.
 
• Never use standard flat irons on damp or wet hair: If hair is damp, pressing it between hot plates causes flash vaporization. The resulting pressurized steam shoots outward toward your hands and scalp. This results in rapid steam burns before you even realize what happened.
 
• Look for built-in safety features: Choose a flat iron with cool-touch tips (insulated ends you can hold for stability), an auto-shutoff timer (which turns the device off if left unattended), and a 360-degree swivel cord to keep the wire from tangling and twisting the hot plates toward your skin.
 
• Buy heat-resistant accessories: Heat-protective silicone gloves are inexpensive and safeguard your fingers. A heat-resistant silicone mat or pouch is also crucial so you can rest the iron down safely without burning your countertop or accidentally knocking a hot appliance into your lap.
 
©Hairfinder.com
 
See also:
 
How to use a hair straightener
 
How to choose a flat iron that meets your needs
 
Why do I smell a burned smell when I wash my hair?