7 Tips on How to Curl Hair Without Damage

Love getting beautiful curls, but don’t want to damage your hair? Here's how to curl your hair without heat damage.

If you love curling your hair, but you are worried that frequent exposure to high heat may cause damage to your beautiful locks, you are not alone.

Luckily, you don’t have to conform with reducing the use of your curling wand to a minimum. By taking the right measures, you can continue using it without stressing about frizz, dryness and damage. In this article, we will give you our pro tips on how to curl your hair without heat damage.

And now, let’s get to the tips - but not without answering some of the most important questions first:

Does curling damage hair?

Yes, curling can damage hair if you are not taking the right measures, including washing and conditioning your hair, applying a thermal heat protectant, and using a curling wand with tourmaline plates. Tourmaline plates emit up to 6 times more negative ions than other types of plates, locking in moisture and thus preventing heat damage.

Applying heat to wet hair is a common practice among busy women who want to get straight to the curling, but it can be extremely damaging as it turns the hair into steam, which can lead to bubbles forming within the hair shaft.

Curling or ironing dirty hair can be just as damaging as it seals in the buildup of oil and product on the hair, and makes it more difficult to curl - on top of causing breakage and frizz.

How often can you curl your hair without damaging it?

While once per week is the general recommended frequency for curling your hair without damage, doing it as frequently as 2-3 times per week is still fine as long as you are using a curling iron or wand with tourmaline plates, and provide proper protection from heat with a thermal heat protectant.

And of course, don’t forget that your hair should be freshly shampooed, conditioned and fully dry before you turn the curling iron on.

How to curl hair without damage: 7 tips

1. Use a curling wand or iron with tourmaline plates

Nor all curling wands are made equal, and investing in a high-quality thermal hair styling tool with tourmaline plates is one of the best things you can do if you want to curl your hair without damage.

As we mentioned earlier, tourmaline plates have the ability to lock in moisture, distribute heat more evenly (achieving a more consistent curl pattern), and reduce frizz. That’s because they are made from tourmaline, a semi-precious mineral that emits negative ions when heated.

When the hair is exposed to negative ions, it helps to counteract the positive ions that can build up in the hair from exposure to environmental factors such as pollution and styling products.

The NuMe Automatic Curling Wand is a great option for a curling tool with tourmaline plates. Voted Best New Beauty Award 2022, it creates perfect curls at a push of a button - and uses proprietary far infrared technology for achieving gorgeous locks without damage.

2. Look for a hair styling tool with adjustable heat settings

Choosing the right curling iron is essential for being able to curl your hair without damage. Low-quality tools made from cheap materials not only have a shorter life and are not as comfortable, but they can also cause damage, breakage and frizz to your hair.

For this reason, when looking for the best curling iron, don’t compromise on quality if you want to keep your hair shiny and healthy for longer. One feature that no quality iron will ever exist without is adjustable heat settings, or the ability to choose your ideal temperature.

As we discussed in our previous article on the best temperature for straightening hair, different types of hair require different temperatures for achieving the desired result. Generally, thick and healthy hair can withstand higher temperatures than fine or damaged hair.

So, there is no need to turn on the heat to maximum if you can get the desired result with less heat - especially if your hair is already damaged.

3. Always use a thermal heat protectant

One of our most important tips on how to curl hair without damage is to always use a thermal heat protectant, such as the NuMe Watch me Werk. This must-use product adds an extra layer of protection against heat, shielding it from possible damage as a result of higher temperatures.

When you apply a thermal heat protectant to your hair before using a heat styling tool, it helps to distribute the heat more evenly and reduce the temperature required to style your hair.

This can help to reduce the risk of damage such as split ends, breakage, and frizz, leaving your hair looking smoother, healthier, and more manageable.

4. Start working on a clean base

We mentioned it earlier and we will say it again - curling dirty or wet hair can be extremely damaging for it, as both of its states make it more susceptible to damage.

Dirty hair carries a buildup of oil and dirt, while wet hair means that you will be essentially boiling your hair on a high temperature - which sounds anything but healthy.

So, if you want to learn how to curl hair without damage, always make sure that you are starting on fully dry hair that’s been freshly conditioned and shampooed beforehand. If you don’t have time to wait for your hair to air dry, you can use a hair dryer.

5. Don’t over-curl your hair

Holding your hair on the wand for too long can be very damaging, as you are applying high heat for a prolonged period of time. As a rule of thumb, you can hold it for 5-10 seconds (depending on the thickness of your hair), and then slowly release the hair strand.

The high heat from the curling wand can cause damage to the hair cuticle, making the hair more prone to breakage and split ends. In addition, over-curling can also dehydrate the hair, making it more brittle and prone to breakage.

6. Section your hair

If you are wondering how to curl hair without heat damage, something that it’s often underestimated is the process of sectioning your hair.

By dividing your hair into equal sections, and working only on one strand at a time, you will ensure a more even distribution of heat, as well as prevent the hair strand from overheating.

Overheating can easily cause hair damage, especially over the long run, so you should be extremely careful with it.

7. Keep your curling wand clean

Keeping your curling wand or iron clean is another important, but often underestimated tip when it comes to curling your hair without damage. If you are a frequent user of your favorite thermal hair styling tool, you probably don’t realize the amount of buildup that happens over time.

As time goes by, hair products such as hairspray, mousse, or other styling products can build up on the surface of the curling wand.

This buildup can affect the performance of the wand and make it less effective in styling your hair, and cause damage because it gets sealed within the hair strands.

What temperature should I set my curling wand at to prevent damage?

The ideal temperature for setting your curling wand to prevent damage will depend on your hair type - for example, thin and already damaged hair should be curled at a lower heat, ideally between 200°F and 300°F (90°C and 150°C). Thick hair gets better results at higher temperatures, usually between 350°F and 450°F (180°C and 230°C).

How long should I hold the curling wand on my hair to prevent damage?

To prevent damage to your hair, it is recommended to avoid prolonged hold.As a general rule, you should hold the curling wand on your hair for no more than 10-15 seconds.

If your hair is thin, fine or damaged, you may need to hold the wand on your hair for less time to prevent damage. If your hair is thick or coarse, you may need to hold the wand on your hair for a longer period of time to achieve the desired curl.

Can I use a curling wand on already-damaged hair?

You can use a curling wand on already-damaged hair, but make sure that you are using a curling wand with tourmaline plates to seal in moisture and prevent it from getting damaged further. In addition, make sure that you are curling your hair on the lowest heat possible to achieve the desired results, ideally between 200°F and 300°F (90°C and 150°C).

Using a heat protectant spray or cream can also help to minimize further damage. It's also important to take breaks in between curling your hair to allow it to cool down.