Coarse or curly hair can be straightened with hot combs.They are more temporary than chemical relaxers, and they can get closer to your head than flat irons.Before you use a manual or electric hot comb, you need to prepare your hair for the heat.
Step 1: If your hair has been treated with a chemical, grow it out.
It is not advisable to use a hot comb on hair that is already weakened.If you want to use a hot comb, you need to grow your hair out an inch or more.
Step 2: You should wash and dry your hair.
Before you try to change it, make sure it is clean and dry.Make sure that your hair is clean.If you stretched your hair out, you will have more success with the hot comb.Run a brush through it as you dry it.
Step 3: You should apply a heat protectant to your hair.
If you want to protect your hair from the high heat, apply a product to each section.Purchase a special heat protectant spray at a drugstore or beauty supply store, or use a carrier oil at home.If you want to prevent heat damage to your hair, use a heat protectant spray.They have higher burn points than other oils, so use them.
Step 4: Remove the tangles from your hair.
Before you start, make sure you can run the plastic-toothed comb through your hair without resistance.The hot comb will burn your hair if you leave tangles in.
Step 5: You need to separate your hair.
Half of the comb should be taken up by each section.You should make your sections one to two inches wide depending on the size of your comb.Attach a hair clip or pin to each section.
Step 6: The ceramic or metal comb has a heat resistant handle.
Do not use a comb with no handle.The hot comb needs to be made of metal or ceramic so that it won't melt, and it needs a heat- resistant handle so you don'T burn your hand.At beauty supply stores, hot combs can be purchased.
Step 7: For 30 seconds, hold the comb over the stove burner.
If you have a gas stove, hold the comb so the teeth don't get brushed by the top of the flames.To use medium to high heat for an electric stove, hold the teeth against the burner.
Step 8: The comb should be tested on a white paper towel.
After 30 seconds, set the comb on a white paper towel.Your comb is too hot if the towel turns brown.Before you use it in your hair, make it cool for a minute and test it again.If the comb is too hot, your hair will burn or fall off.
Step 9: A section of hair needs to be loosened.
The bottom back section of your hair is held by a clip.Before using the hot metal comb, you should give that section a quick comb-through.The hot comb can get stuck in your hair.
Step 10: The comb should be placed close to your head.
The comb should be placed on the hair near the roots.Don't allow the comb to touch your hair, but get it as close as possible so you can get rid of any new growth.
Step 11: Pull the comb out of your hair.
Holding the section of hair out from your head with one hand, use the other to gently pull the comb all the way from the root through the ends of the hair.If you keep the hot iron comb in one spot, you could burn your hair.
Step 12: If necessary, repeat on the same section.
You can go over it again with the hot comb if one pass-through didn't get it straight enough.You risk burning your hair if you do this more than once.For fine or medium hair, one pass is enough.Coarse or thick hair may need two passes.
Step 13: The comb needs to be reheated periodically.
When you run the comb through your hair a few times, it will lose its heat.It won't take as long to warm back up if you hold it over the flame or on the burner again.To make sure the comb isn't too hot for your hair, heat it up on a white paper towel.
Step 14: The rest of your hair needs to be combed.
Continue combing from your neck to the top of your head.It's easier to see what you're doing if you have the rest of your hair in clips.
Step 15: Purchase a hot comb that has variable heat settings.
There are a variety of electric hot combs to choose from.If you want to adjust the temperature to your hair texture, look for one that has multiple heat settings.They come in a variety of sizes and materials, including titanium, ceramic, and gold, which can heat up in less than 30 seconds.If you have thick or coarse hair, a manual hot comb may be the better option.
Step 16: The comb should be placed on a heat-resistant surface.
Most hot combs have a kickstand so that the spine isn't touching anything as it's heating up.If you aren't careful, the device could tip over, so make sure it's heating up on a countertop away from towels, hair accessories and products.
Step 17: The comb should be set to the hottest temperature for your hair type.
Information about what temperature or setting to use for your hair type should be on your comb.If you have lost this paperwork, you should increase it if it seems like you aren't getting your hair straightened quickly enough.Higher temperatures will be for thicker hair.
Step 18: The comb needs to be close to your head.
If you want to keep your hair straight, you need to unclip one section of hair near the nape of your neck.Since the comb can burn you instantly, be careful not to let it touch your skin.
Step 19: Pull the comb out of your hair.
Holding the section of hair out from your head with one hand, use the other to gently pull the comb all the way from the root through the ends of the hair.Stop the comb before it reaches any hair that has been processed.If one pass-through didn't get it straight enough, repeat the process on the same section of hair.
Step 20: The teeth should be facing up for more volume.
Put the comb under the section of hair with the teeth pointing up, and comb away from the roots in an arching motion.As you are straightened, this will add more volume.You can get a little bit of curl at the bottom of your hair by rotating your wrist as you approach the ends.
Step 21: Take care of the rest of your hair.
Continue combing, working your way up from the nape of your neck towards your face.Someone can help you reach the back pieces.
Step 22: The hot comb should be turned off.
When you are done, turn off the device.You risk starting a fire if you leave a hot comb unattended.