The 12 Best Hair Curling Irons That Don’t Damage Hair, According To Experts

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With so many options to choose from, finding the perfect curling iron can be a difficult task. It becomes all the more challenging if you’re searching for a curling iron that is relatively damage-free. That’s where materials, features, and price all come into play when choosing the best selection for you and your hair needs. Luckily, StyleCaster spoke with four different hair experts who shared their favorite hair curling options for minimal damage.

Best Curling Irons That Don’t Damage Hair at a Glance

• Best Overall: Hot Tools 24K Gold Curling Iron/Wand , $56
• Best Splurge: GHD Classic Curl 1.25’’ Curling Iron , $209
• Best Budget: WavyTalk 5 in 1 Curling Iron , $46
• Best Wand: Drybar The Wrap Party Curling & Styling Wand , $118
• Best for Beginners: BabyLiss Pro Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron , $60
• Best Thermal Brush: WavyTalk Thermal Brush , $46

What to Look for in a Curling Iron That Won’t Damage Hair

Getting a hair curler with adjustable settings is key to ensuring less hair damage, shares trichologist, cosmetologist, and V&Co. Beauty Brand Ambassador, Sophia Emmanuel. “This will allow you to adjust the heat according to the texture of your hair or if your hair is chemically treated,” says Emmanuel. “Irons with an on-and-off switch cannot have their heat controlled, and you risk scorching your hair if the iron heats up too hot for your hair texture.”

Another feature Emmanuel recommends for selecting a damage-free hair curler is an automatic shutoff. This feature prevents the risk of overheating your curling device and burning your hair in the process.

Lastly, when it comes to materials, she notes that ceramic and tourmaline-plated curling irons are some of the best for damage-free styling. “You should use ceramic or tourmaline barrels for curling irons or plates for flat irons,” says Emmanuel. “They distribute heat evenly and do not get as hot as titanium material.”

What to Avoid in a Curling Iron if You Don’t Want Excessive Hair Damage 

Emmanuel makes it clear that using curling devices made purely for salon use might not be safe for non-professionals. For example, staying away from titanium-plated irons might be smart as they “are best for in-salon use on smoothing treatments, because they get hotter than ceramic and tourmaline irons, which helps process smoothing treatments.”

Along with avoiding professional-grade tools, making sure you’re not using poor-quality or metal-plated curling irons is key to avoiding damage on your strands. As Emmanuel also adds, “It is important not to skip using [heat protectant], as it puts a protective coating on your hair to prevent damage.”

Do All Curling Irons Damage Hair?

Though it may seem like all curling devices damage the hair in some way, Emmanuel disagrees. She points more towards improper use being the biggest issue when it comes to hair damage from curling irons. She explains that curling your hair when it’s unclean or has heavy products in it largely increases the chances of heat damage. “Product build-up and sebum (the natural oil from your scalp) can react to the heat from the curling iron and literally fry your hair. This can lead to damage and hair breakage, especially along the ends of your hair.”

Overusing curling irons can also promote heat damage. She explains that repeated use of curling irons disrupts disulfide bonds in your hair, which are usually only broken down by chemical relaxers. “Disulfide bonds are responsible for our hair’s strength and elasticity,” says Emmanuel. “When these bonds break, your hair is weaker and more susceptible to breakage. She considers repeated use to be using a curling iron more than three days a week.

Shop the best curling irons that will wreak minimal havoc on your locks down below.