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Are infrared hair straighteners better for your hair? We asked experts about the next generation of styling tools

 

When it comes to the best infrared hair straighteners and other hairstyling tools, there’s a lot of buzz around what exactly this so-called “revolutionary” infrared technology is. And as with many beauty and hair care trends, what’s actually worth investing in — and what makes a significant difference to your hair health — is not always completely clear.

That’s why we’ve consulted six professional and celebrity hairstylists on everything you need to know about infrared hair tools, their top picks and answers to some of your most common questions.

What are infrared hair tools?

Infrared hair tools utilize infrared light, an invisible and naturally occurring part of the light spectrum that produces heat using electromagnetic waves. “The specific wavelength of heat penetrates deeper into the hair shaft, heating it from the inside out rather than just blasting the surface,” Joseph Maine, a celebrity hairstylist and the founder of Trademark Beauty, said.

While traditional heat styling tools often rely on high and direct heat that can strip moisture and cause damage over time, infrared heat distributes heat more evenly and gently, according to Adam Federico, a professional hairstylist and the vice president of technical education at R+Co. He said this helps to reduce the risk of overdrying or hot spots.

This technology reduces the risk of damage, frizz or moisture loss and results in a “smoother, shinier finish with less stress on the strands,” Christine Bellemare, a professional hairstylist and the owner of Maven A Collect, said.

“From a stylist’s perspective, this translates to smoother results with fewer passes, and less stress on the hair overall,” Federico added. “Especially if you’re styling regularly, that difference matters.”

The best infrared hair straighteners

Chi Original Lava Ceramic Flat Iron

“Made with volcanic lava and ceramic plates, this combines even infrared heat with a smooth glide,” professional hairstylist Jerome Lordet said. Lava is a natural conductor of infrared light, at wavelengths invisible to human eyes. Lordet recommends this straightener specifically for those with coarse or curly hair.

DNA Hair Tools Infrared + Titanium 1.5-Inch

Both Bellemare and Federico recommend this versatile straightener. “It uses floating titanium plates and true far-infrared heat to evenly penetrate the hair shaft,” Federico said, “locking in moisture while creating a sleek, glass-like finish without excessive heat exposure.”

Croc Infrared Flat Iron

This ergonomic straightener features titanium plates and ceramic heaters, which our experts recommend as a great complement to infrared heat technology. In addition to distributing heat consistently and evenly, the ceramic material boasts instant heat recovery. In other words, the straightener returns to its set temperature immediately after use.

Silk'n SilkyStraight Infrared Hair Straightener

With 12 different temperature settings and a super-quick heating time, this infrared straightener is a great option for those looking to preserve their hair health. “Even though infrared technology is gentler, any heat can still cause damage over time if it’s too high,” Bellemare said. It also features a built-in locking design, a heat-resistant travel bag and an 8-plus-foot-long cable ideal for those on the go.

Sutra 1-Inch IR2 Infrared Flat Iron

This no-frills straightener from Sutra utilizes the brand’s Healthy Heat technology, which combines infrared and ionic technologies for a heating process that’s fast, effective and less damaging to your hair. It’s available in two different sizes: this 1-inch option for those with shorter or finer hair, as well as a 1.5-inch option for those with longer or thicker hair.

The best infrared hair dryers

L'Oréal Professionnel AirLight Pro Hair Dryer

Clayton Hawkins, a celebrity hairstylist and an AirLight Pro ambassador, calls this hair dryer his personal favorite. “It's lightweight, crazy fast and leaves hair smooth and glossy,” he said. It was one of the very first hair dryers on the market that utilized infrared heat, and we loved its highly customizable settings — from fan speed to temperature — when we tested it. It even has preset styling settings for different hair types. “It’s the next generation in hair drying,” Lordet said. “Dry with the speed of light, without damage.”

Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer

“I’ve had good results with this hair dryer,” Federico said. “While not infrared in the strictest sense, its intelligent heat control shares some of the same benefits.” Unlike the other infrared hair tools on this list, this hair dryer uses the technology to detect how close it is to your scalp — as opposed to the way in which it heats — automatically adjusting temperature to preserve your hair and scalp health.

Sutra Infrared AC Blow-Dryer

Federico recommends this hair dryer, which “combines far-infrared and ionic technology with an AC motor for fast, glossy, long-lasting results.” It utilizes the same Healthy Heat technology — designed to minimize heat damage without sacrificing speed or efficacy — as the brand’s straightener (above).

The best infrared round brushes

Trademark Beauty Hot Rod

For those who have yet to master an at-home blowout using a round brush and a hair dryer, professional hairstylist Shelly Aguirre recommends this user-friendly, all-in-one tool.

“It’s the only one I’ve seen that combines infrared heat, ionic technology, ceramic bristles and adjustable heat settings, which makes it super versatile and a lot gentler on the hair,” Maine said. He opts for this when refreshing a blowout or adding some soft volume to hair. “It’s kind of my secret weapon for getting a polished look fast, without doing a full restyle.”

BondiBoost Infrared Heated Thermal Hot Round Brush

We're no strangers to a good thermal brush, and both Federico and Bellemare recommend this option from BondiBoost. Perfect for touch-ups on dry-style days, this brush “delivers infrared heat through aloe-infused bristles,” Federico said, “smoothing hair from the inside out for polished blowouts with reduced frizz and damage.”

“Make sure the tool actually uses far-infrared heat and is not just a hot surface marketed as such,” Hawkins said.

“Reputable brands will explain how their tool emits infrared wavelengths — and back it with performance data,” Lordet added. One of his favorite infrared hair tools, L’Oréal’s AirLight Pro Hair Dryer, was actually created in collaboration with tech startup Zuvi and features a patented type of award-winning infrared light technology. The brand has also cited testing to support claims that infrared light is less damaging to hair — when compared to traditional convection hair dryers — and contributes to faster drying times.

Consider your hair type and styling goals

For those with thick, coarse or curly hair, Maine and Lordet recommend a tool with higher and adjustable heat settings, wider plates and strong heat recovery. On the flip side, fine hair may require less heat and a smaller plate. If you have hair that’s easily damaged, Maine recommends tools with ceramic or tourmaline-infused plates or barrels. “They tend to pair well with infrared because they distribute heat evenly and reduce hot spots,” he said.

Prioritize multiple heat and speed settings

“When shopping for an infrared hair tool, look for adjustable heat settings,” Bellemare said. Even though infrared technology is gentler on the hair, using heat that’s too high for your hair type and overtime can still cause damage, she explained. In addition to different heat settings, Hawkins recommends adjustable speed settings when it comes to infrared blow-dryers.

Opt for something lightweight and thoughtfully designed

“A lightweight, ergonomic design makes a big difference in how often you’ll actually use your tool,” Maine said. Especially if you’re using something like a hair dryer on a daily basis, Hawkins added, your arm will end up thanking you in the long run.

Ultimately, “weight, grip and control all play a role in how well the tool performs,” Federico said.

Related articleThe best hair masks to soften and repair your locks, according to hairstylists

FAQs

The following FAQs have been answered by hairstylists Shelly Aguirre, Christine Bellemare, Adam Federico, Clayton Hawkins, Jerome Lordet and Joseph Maine.

Are infrared hair tools worth it?

“If healthy, shiny hair is your goal — yes, they are absolutely worth the investment,” Lordet said. “The technology is gentle, efficient and produces long-lasting results with significantly less damage over time.” Especially for those with chemically treated hair or those who heat style their hair regularly, our experts agree infrared styling tools can be a smart preventative investment.

“It’s one of those technologies that you don’t necessarily see working,” Maine said, “but over time your hair tends to feel healthier and hold styles longer.” Lordet agreed, adding that he’s seen clients switch over to infrared tools and notice improved texture, shine and manageability within just a few weeks.

Is an infrared hair dryer better for your hair?

“Infrared hair tools can be gentler on your hair because they heat from the inside out, which helps reduce surface damage and moisture loss compared to traditional tools that apply intense heat directly to the hair’s surface,” Bellemare said.

If you’re someone who regularly uses heat to style your hair, “tools that incorporate infrared can help minimize long-term damage and keep the hair looking smoother and shinier,” Maine added.

“That said, your styling routine is just as important as the technology itself,” Federico said. As Bellemare noted, “any hot tool can still cause damage over time.” They both recommend a high-quality heat protectant spray as essential before styling — Federico’s top pick is the R+Co BLEU Hypersonic Heat Styling Mist — while Maine advises selecting the right heat setting for your styling, sectioning your hair properly and not overworking each section. If you’re dealing with existing heat damage, we’d also recommend adding restorative products like a hair mask to your routine to help prevent future hair damage and combat frizziness.

Can you use infrared heat tools on wet hair?

In short, it depends on the tool. “Infrared dryers are made for wet-to-dry styling and are great at speeding up the process without overheating the cuticle,” Federico said. Most other tools like flat irons or heated brushes — infrared or not — should never be used on wet hair.

Though some infrared styling tools may be labeled “wet-to-dry,” using a straightener on soaking-wet hair will still cause damage to your hair, Lordet said.

“When high heat hits wet hair, the water inside the shaft turns to steam too quickly, which can crack the cuticle and lead to immediate breakage, split ends and loss of shine,” Bellemare explained. To avoid this, our experts recommend checking the manufacturer’s instructions to confirm whether a tool is designed for wet-to-dry styling and making sure to towel dry or rough dry your hair first.

Meet our experts

For this article, we consulted six hairstylists to gain their professional insights.

• Shelly Aguirre, a professional hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago
• Christine Bellemare, a professional hairstylist and owner of Maven A Collect in Boston
• Adam Federico, a professional hairstylist and the vice president of technical education at R+Co
• Clayton Hawkins, a celebrity hairstylist and an AirLight Pro ambassador
• Jerome Lordet, a professional hairstylist and the owner of Jerome Lordet Salon
• Joseph Maine, a celebrity hairstylist and the founder of Trademark Beauty

Why trust CNN Underscored

CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this story, contributing writer Noelle Ike talked to professional hairstylists about infrared hair tools and their top picks.