Saw a stylist use a flat iron on wet hair yesterday

Was at Supercuts on Broadway getting a trim. Stylist next to me sprayed water on a client's head then went right in with a 450 degree flat iron. Heard that sizzle sound. Client didn't even flinch. I had to bite my tongue. I know we all get busy but that's a fast track to fried ends and breakage. Anyone else seen this kind of thing and said something or just let it slide?

3 comments

3 Comments

theajohnson18d ago

Honest question though-how do we know that hair was actually wet wet and not just damp or misted? I've seen some stylists use a light water spritz just to reactivate products before ironing and it's totally fine.

bailey.jennifer19d ago

450 degrees on wet hair? That stylist should have their license looked at. Water hitting a hot flat iron basically steams the hair shaft from the inside, which is a one way ticket to gummy, broken strands. I've seen it happen before and it's just sad to watch because the client probably has no idea what's happening.

young.thomas19d ago

My cousin did that once with a cheap straightener set to 400 on damp hair and her ends literally looked like chewed string after. I had to cut like 4 inches off and start over with a good heat protectant and letting it air dry 90% first. What worked for me was using a microfiber towel to get most moisture out, then a leave in spray with thermal protection before ever touching the iron. After that mess I just never use heat over 350 on anything less than bone dry and it's been fine for years.