Burned Smell

Woman with a flat iron hair problem
Photo: Tinatin/Shutterstock
Q: I recently bought a ceramic flat iron and probably have used it 4 times. I got great results, but after doing it back to back in two days, my hair is noticeably less curly, especially the front sections of my hair. It is not frizzy and actually feels softer, but I miss my ringlet curly hair.
 
I can also still smell a burned smell when I wash my hair. Will it ever go back or will I have to wait till it all grows out? Do you have any suggestions? It has only been 3 days since I last straightened it.
 
A: Well, the first warning signal that goes off for me is your statement that you "can also still smell a burned smell". You should never smell or see smoke when you straighten your hair - to do so means that your flat iron is too hot for your hair and is causing damage.
 
You should always select heat styling appliances with adjustable temperature settings, and only use as much heat as is needed to get the hair straight. Furthermore, you should always test your appliances before actually touching them to your hair. You can find the method for doing this and other tips and guidelines to flat iron straightening here.
 
Since you aren't seeing signs of frizz, and the hair still feels soft, the damage seems to be slight, but should be taken care of immediately. If you are going to flat iron your hair, you need to begin now giving yourself deep conditioning treatments at least once a week.
 
Use a moisture-rich conditioning cream, apply it to the hair, cover with a plastic cap and wrap the head in warmed towels or sit under a dryer for 15-20 minutes. Afterward, rinse the hair with lukewarm to cool water.
 
Do this in conjunction with a daily routine of shampooing (if needed) and conditioning (whether shampooing the hair or not) and using an additional leave-in spray conditioner to protect the hair from heat-styling damage. As you restore your hair's moisture levels and maximize its condition, you should see your natural curl begin to reemerge.
 
And be prepared to give your hair a little time to recover. It always takes longer to undo damage than to cause it, which is why we always urge caution.
 
©Hairfinder.com
 
See also:
 
How to use a flat iron
 
Curling iron and flat iron damage
 
Flat irons and burning yourself
 
What is the best thermal protectant spray I can use when I straighten my hair with a flat iron?