How to straighten & iron your hair without damage

We sometime want to change our looks by using a flat iron or hair straightener, but there are a few tips and tricks you should follow to make sure your hair stays healthy and avoid damage. Below are some tips by loks hair:
1. Make sure hair is thoroughly nourished. The better hydrated your hair is, the smoother and softer it’ll be after you flat iron. We suggest using a hair treatment once a week to keep hair moisturized.
2. Defend your hair. When styling with a flat iron (or any heat, really), always use a heat protectant before you begin styling. This is especially important for anyone who uses a flat iron daily.
Adjustable Temperature Tips(Set a low temperature, then change it gradually):
QUICK TEMPERATURE GUIDE

coarse or thick hair	380°F and above
wavy or curly hair	350°F – 370°F
medium thickness or straight-ish hair	330°F – 350°F
thin hair	300°F – 330°F
fragile or fine hair	240°F – 300°F
synthetic hair	0°F

Quick Flat Iron Tutorial:
Just in case you want to go back to the basics, we thought we’d share a few quick tips on how to properly flat iron your hair.
1. Turn on your flat iron and set it to the right temperature for your hair (guide above). Or maybe lower temperature at first, then change it if you need.
2. Apply heat protectant throughout your hair. This step is essential! As we mentioned earlier, heat protectants guard your hair against damage and makes your hair smoother, shinier and the results of your flat iron last longer.
3. Pin up the top half (or so) of your hair with crane clips and begin straightening the lowest layers, working your way up. Separate each piece of hair into roughly one-inch sections.
4. Remember, movement is essential. Use even, fluid strokes along each section. If you hold the flat iron on a piece of hair for too long, it may results in damage and/or breakage. It also causes you to not experience even results.
5. If you have pesky hair close to the scalp or at the nape of the neck that’s too short for your flat iron, try adding a little bit of hairspray before/after you flat iron your hair.
6. For finish, add a touch of shine spray or serum to polish off your look.
7. Often do deep condition if you iron or straighten your hair regularly.
article source: http://www.lokshair.com/how-to-straighten-iron-your-hair-without-damage-946.html