A straightening brush is meant to save you time in the morning…

…So wouldn’t it be ideal if you could hop out of the shower, use your styler and walk out the door with dry, straight hair in a matter of minutes?

Sorry to burst your bubble, but these types of devices are not meant to be used on sopping wet hair. So can you use a hairbrush straightener on wet hair at all?

Technically yes, but it’s not ideal.

When you heat water it expands, including the water inside your hair.

As the water molecules inside your hair expand, they can cause some serious damage to your hair shaft.

But if you protect your hair and use your electric brush properly, you can use it on hair that is merely damp.

This will still save you time each morning.

Pros and Cons

So should you use a hair straightening brush on wet hair, even if it’s only damp?

Using your heated styler comes with its own list of pros and cons, but these change a bit when you’re talking about wet hair.

Pros on using a Hair Brush Straightener On Wet Hair

Skip A Step

Put away that blow dryer. You can skip it if you’re using a hair straightener on damp hair.

Less Curls To Fight

Curls tend to get tighter as your hair dries. If your hair is damp, it will be easier to get straighter hair.

Cons on using a Hair Brush Straightener On Wet Hair

Risk Of Serious Damage

It’s always best to use your brush straightener on dry hair. But if you know the risks, you can take the proper measures to hopefully prevent them.

Damage To Hair Brush

Not all electric hair brushes are designed to be used on damp hair. Find out more to decide which straightener is best for your needs.

How to Use a Hair Straightening Brush on Wet Hair

So I’ve already mentioned that using a hair brush straightener on wet hair might not be the best idea. But if you don’t have a choice, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Wash Hair

This might sound silly because we’re talking about wet hair, but don’t just spray your hair down with some water. Make sure you take the time to shampoo and condition it. Remove dirt and buildup and prepare your hair for the day with a strong, moisturizing conditioner.

Towel Dry

If you don’t have time to use a blow dryer, at least take a moment to use a towel and blot your hair dry as much as you can.

Detangle

Don’t grab your hair straightening brush just yet. Use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to remove all tangles and knots from your hair. As you’re doing this, work a heat protectant product into your hair. A spray or cream will work.

Brush Gently

Now it’s time to use your hair brush straightener on wet hair. You might be tempted to use a higher temperature, but in this case, lower is better.

Brush gently and deliberately. Make sure you hit each section of your hair evenly. Because your hair is wet, you’ll probably have to go over each section a few times.

Hair Brush Straightening: Wet Hair vs Dry Hair

If you haven’t realized it yet, it’s always best to use a hair straightening brush on dry hair. But if your schedule just doesn’t give you the time to dry your hair first, refer to the next section regarding proper precautions.

Precautions to Take

If you’re going to use a hair brush straightener on wet hair, keep these tips in mind:

1. Always use a high-quality shampoo. You want your hair to be as healthy as possible.
2. Don’t skip conditioner. You want your hair to be as moisturized as possible. If you would like Men specific conditioners, check out our top picks here.
3. Always detangle your hair before using a electric brush. It should only be used to straighten.
4. Use the right temperature. Because your hair is wet, you don’t want to use too high of a temperature. If you hear sizzling, your hair brush is too hot.
5. Never use a heated brush without applying a heat protectant product.

It is possible to use a straightening brush on wet hair, as long as you’re using the right hair brush and taking the proper precautions. So save yourself some time in the morning and enjoy beautiful, straight hair.