Getting salon-perfect hair at home requires a few tools.

A curling iron or blow dryer might be in your haircare arsenal.

Using heated styling tools can be intimidating, especially with the risk of damage on the horizon.

women at hair salon

If you let your hair air dry on a cold day, your strands can dehydrate.

As a result, your hair will suffer from breakage.

Most styling devices require heat, evenGigi Hadid’s favorite hair tool.

woman blow drying hair

Ideally, you should not use heated stylers too often or on your hair for too long.

But what is the best heat setting for healthy hair?

The lowest heat setting is always ideal.

woman burning hair with flat iron

Fine straight hair and thick curly hair alike should use the minimum setting.

Applying a heat protectant likeargan oil before any heat stylingcan also help guard your hair’s cuticles.

Blow dry on the lowest setting if air drying is out of the question.

With a blow dryer, a minimum of five inches between your hair and the tool is optimal.

Although higher heat configs may get the job done faster, it comes with the risk of excessive damage.

Straighter hair will lose its shine and appear lifeless and dry.

Temperatures higher than 300 degrees Fahrenheit can change your hair’s keratin build.

As a result, your hair loses elasticity and strength.

Hair.comadds that heat damage to your luscious locks is permanent.

Since there is no way to reverse the weakened hair, a trim is your number one ally.

Cutting away the fried strands will make way for new healthy growth.

However,preventing heat damageis better than repairing it.

The lowest heat setting keeps your styling tools from becoming weapons of mass hair destruction.