When you aren’t blessed with naturally silky-smooth, perfectly-coifed hair, you need to take matters into your own hands. But what is safe for your hair, and how much heat is too much heat? With the right prep and the right product, like one of Paul Mitchell’s styling irons and straighteners, you can safely achieve the look you want. Or, if you want to try a less harsh approach, there are still plenty of options at your disposal.

Paul Mitchell Company Overview

In 1980, Paul Mitchell and his business partner, John Paul DeJoria, founded John Paul Mitchell Systems. DeJoria is now 75 and is still managing the company and calling the shots. Sadly, Paul Mitchell died in 1989, but the brand still carries on his name and legacy.

The two business partners met at a beauty show in Miami in 1971. They became friends, and over some years of knowing each other, they formed ideas, recipes, and formulas. They basically concocted the plan for what later became the basis of their company and the professional hair care products it offers.

The duo went to work in 1980, executing their plan by selling their own products door-to-door. I guess you could say that this is a classic story of the American Dream. Two friends create a company and work hard to break out. Mitchell and DeJoria were dedicated and tenacious, even when – at one point – DeJoria was homeless and sleeping in his car. Their hard work and commitment paid off. Today, Paul Mitchell is worth several billion dollars.

This is a company that is best known for its line of professional hair care products, but also for its beauty schools and other cosmetics-related entrepreneurial endeavors. There are beauty salons which carry their products exclusively, and some which carry them alongside other companies’ products.

Take Me Straight To Buy Top Paul Mitchell Products

Are Hair Irons And Straighteners Safe?

Straightening your hair leads to dry and split ends.

It’s no secret that applying heat to your hair can cause damage. Basically, heat dries out your hair, making it more prone to breakages and split ends. Heat can also lead to fly-aways and shaggy, thinner hair. And it’s especially bad if your hair is already naturally dry or if it’s been bleached, permed or dyed. The more often you use heat on your hair and the higher the intensity, the more damage you can cause. Even five minutes of high heat can hurt your hair. Which brings me back to the question, are hair irons and straighteners safe?

If you must iron or straighten your locks, there are ways to do so more safely. Firstly, make sure to use a hydrating shampoo. Once you’re out of the shower, ensure that your hair is completely dry before using an iron. There are some irons which say they can be used with damp hair, but it’s always a safer bet to not do this. And before you do start using the straightener, make sure to protect your hair from the heat using a heat protectant spray, a leave-in conditioner or a hair cream with a heat-resistant formula. This creates a barrier between your hair and the heat to keep your hair healthier.

When selecting a flat iron which will cause minimal damage to your hair, there are several factors to consider. For instance, an iron with a ceramic coating will be less harsh on your hair and will give it more shine. Also select a straightener with different heat settings, since different types of hair require different heat intensities.

Top 5 Paul Mitchell Hair Irons And Straighteners Reviewed

Because each person’s hair needs vary so much, there are a bunch of different irons and straighteners on the market. And Paul Mitchell, a leader in hair care, has a wide selection for you to choose from.

Express Ion Smooth+ Flat Iron

This iron is a bestselling product which will smooth and straighten your hair speedily and gently. The Express Ion Smooth+ Flat Iron has cushioned ceramic plates 1.25 inches in width and they have beveled edges. The iron’s Express Ion Complex technology delivers a healthy, straight and shiny look. The iron has a digital control panel to adjust the temperature. And it can go up to 410 degrees in just 60 seconds, and it only has a 5-second heat recovery time.  It also has dual voltage, so take it all over the world with you!

Learn more: Express Ion Smooth+ Flat Iron

Neuro Flat Iron With Neuro Protect

Woman with straight healthy hair.

This iron is a great way to smooth, straighten or curl your hair into professional waves. The Neuro Flat Iron with Neuro Protect has 1.25-inch plates and adjustable temperature up to 450 degrees (in half a minute!) so that you can pick the heat setting that is best for you. It’s made with IsoTherm titanium plates and it includes a SmartSense microchip for a super quick heat recovery time so you can do your hair fast without ruining your routine. And with the dual voltage feature, you can use this iron anywhere in the world. It also features an auto shut-off so that you can breathe a bit easier after using it. Get it here.

Express Ion Style+ Styling Iron

Try this iron if you want to get a professional ‘do from the comforts of your own home. You can style your hair as curly, wavy or straight with this iron that uses infrared technology to give you fast, quality results. The Express Ion Style+ Styling Iron has 1” ceramic plates with beveled edges for a nice finish. And with its premium heaters, the heat will be dispersed equally amongst your hair for an even styling experience. The iron can heat up to 410 degrees in just a minute. And with a digital temperature control panel and 9’ long swivel cord, this product is great for professional hair stylists too.

Express Ion Style+ Styling Iron

$125

Buy Now

Neuro Style Flat Iron With Neuro Protect

This item is also one of Paul Mitchell’s most professional irons. The IsoTherm titanium plates are 1” wide and have a contoured shape. Use the Neuro Style Flat Iron with Neuro Protect to make your hair smooth and straight or to create beachy waves or bouncy curls. And if your hair requires a bit more heat than other people’s, this iron goes up to 450 degrees in just half a minute! And no need to worry about the iron cooling off in between sections of hair, the SmartSense technology monitors the iron’s temperature 50 times per second! Get it here.

Neuro Halo 1” Styling Iron With Neuro Protect

Last but not least, consider this iron when creating your next look. It too has IsoTherm titanium plates, SmartSense technology for a quick heat recovery time, and a touch-screen panel to make setting the temperature super easy. The Neuro Halo 1” Styling Iron with Neuro Protect’s 1-inch-wide, extended plates gives you a speedy, quality look. And with dual voltage, this iron can follow you all over the world.

Order now on Amazon: Neuro Halo 1” Styling Iron with Neuro Protect

Safe Alternatives To Using A Hair Iron

There are other ways to style your hair without causing any heat damage.

Although there are ways to protect your hair from the heat of an iron, it’s still likely that frequent high-heat application will damage your hair over time. If you want to style your hair but don’t want to take any chances, try using a hair blower on the cool setting.  

Another option is to put rollers in your hair to achieve the hairstyle that you want. First wash your hair with a straightening shampoo, such as one with keratin and argan oil. Then use a deep conditioner and leave it on for 5 minutes before rinsing it out. Using a microfiber towel, lightly wring out your hair. Next, use a small amount of anti-frizz serum in your hair starting from the middle of your hair and working your way all the way down to the bottom. Following this, comb your hair. Take a 2” section, and, using a 2 or 3 inch self-adhesive roller under the hair, roll the hair towards your head (use a clip to keep the roller there if you need to). Repeat this process for the rest of your hair, wait for your hair to dry completely, and then lightly brush through your hair to smooth it out. And then to seal the hairdo, just spray your hair with anti-humidity hair spray.

Conclusion

So, while heat may not be good for your hair, there are still ways to use heat to get the style that you want while preserving the quality of your hair. With the right heat protectant spray and the right iron, you can get your hair to behave without punishing it. And because it’s important to give your hair a break from the heat as much as possible, try some alternative styling methods to get that smooth finish without the iron. Paul Mitchell has plenty of options to make your hair feel silky-smooth. You won’t regret buying any of their products.

Up Next: L’Occitane Review: The Best In Skin Care?