What do you think is the most damaging?

[MakeLoveNotWar]

What do you think (or know) is the most damaging to your hair?

[Gumball]

Severe heat, heavy bleach, and harsh brushing through wet hair can all be big damage contributors.

[spidermom]

The most damaging thing I can think of is a curling iron because I always left that thing clamped onto my hair for a full count of ten, done as "one thousand one, one thousand ....". Oh, and perms. Actually, one perm was all right, but when I went back 2 years later to perm again, all the re-permed ends disintegrated on me. No kidding - I had to get a short cut almost immediately after the perm, and short, tightly curled har was beyond hideous on me.

[LittleOrca]

I think out of the three options, straightening and the curling iron (as well as a flat iron, even that silly instyler) are the most damaging to your hair. A blow dryer can be damaging, but many here use it on a low setting and several inches away from their hair. You can't hold a curling iron several inches from your hair and still expect it to curl.

[MandyBeth]

Whaaazzzz???? Why can't I hold the curling iron 12" away from my head and have it produce pretty curls?

Eh, hair dryer is the worst in my world, mainly because I won't use a curling iron or flat iron - why bother, my hair goes back to what it wants to do in 2 minutes anyways. But until the dryer broke down, I could be tempted to, at least once a week, use it for time saving - which granted, I then spent more time griping about my hair being crispy instead.

[SlightlySoprano]

I think the curling iron and the flat iron because its VERY VERY VERY HOT and its going directly on your hair! Blow driers you can lower the heat setting and it's not directly touching your hair

[Elainehali]

From the way my lovely roommate uses all of these I think the curling iron must do the most damage. You clamp it on the ends, wind it up...let it SIT then take it out.

With the flat iron they find a section and run it down the length.. then repeat. Seems like the hair wouldn't get as hot.

lol Look at me the 1a has no idea about flat irons.

[florenonite]

I think it depends on how each is used. As others say, the curling iron involves holding it, which would cause more damage. However, some people go over the same section of hair repeatedly with a straightener or blow-dryer (held close to the head), which could accumulate the same amount of damage.

Furthermore, curling irons tend to be a once-in-a-while treat whilst straighteners or hairdryers are more likely to be used daily or at least several times a week.

[LawyerGirl]

I'm voting "straightner" aka flat iron because I tend to go over the same sections more than once, and when I curl, I don't use a curling iron, but hot rollers... I figure if they are not too hot to touch, they can't be as bad as the flat iron.

[teela1978]

For me its the flat iron. I always used it a lot hotter than I would use a curling iron... and more often... and repeatedly over the same piece of hair... the flat iron is not good on my hair