How to Use a Hair Steamer

Steamers for the hair can come in several different forms:

• Curlers
• Rollers
• Steam Cap
• Professional Steamer
• Straightener
• Brush

Each steam tool will be used in a slightly different way. So, let’s have a look at how we can use them...

These can be used for the following reasons:

• As a deep conditioner

  Wash your hair, towel dry, and apply a deep conditioning mask. Sit under the steamer for 20-30 minutes and then rinse thoroughly. This will allow the nutrients to deeply penetrate the hair. It is great for very dry and damaged hair.

How to Use:

1. Shampoo the hair twice, towel dry and apply the conditioning product onto the hair.
2. Comb through thoroughly, you may want to clip the hair up.
3. Put on a shower cap.
4. Sit under the steamer for 20-30 minutes.
5. Rinse thoroughly.

• Hydrating treatment:

  Apply conditioner to dry hair, and steam for 20-30 minutes. Then shampoo and condition as normal. This is also great for dry and damaged hair, however by applying to dry hair it gives more hydration.

How to Use:

1. Apply the conditioning product onto the hair, dry.
2. Comb through thoroughly and clip up.
3. Pop on a shower cap.
4. Sit under the steamer for 20-30 minutes.
5. Shampoo and condition your hair as normal.

• Pre-Cleanse

  Apply essential oils to the hair and scalp, massage in, and steam for 20 minutes. Wash as normal. This is another really great way to add moisture, I wouldn’t recommend doing this on finer hair types.

How to Use:

1. Apply the essential oils onto the hair.
2. Comb through thoroughly and clip up.
3. Pop on a shower cap.
4. Sit under the steamer for 20-30 minutes.
5. Shampoo and condition your hair as normal.

These are generally used in the same way as a normal curler but just with a few differences.

How to Use:

1. Fill the water tank up following the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Use a heat protector prior to use.
3. Curl the hair as normal.

Dress the hair out as normal.

These are used in the same way as any normal hair straightener; however, we have to remember the water tank.

How to Use:

1. Ensure the hair is dry before starting.
2. Fill the water tank up following the manufacturer's instructions.
3. Use a heat protector prior to use.
4. Section the hair off (you want to use small sections).
5. Allow the straightener to slowly glide down the hair, from root to tip.
6. Repeat until the whole head has been covered.

Steam rollers are used in the same way as normal heat rollers; however, the water tank will need to be filed up prior to use.

How to Use:

1. Fill the water tank up with cool water, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you're using the correct amount, and turn on.
2. Once you have given the steamer a few minutes to heat up, place the first roller in and wait three to four seconds for the steam to soak up into the roller. Check this on your manufacturer's instructions as some may take longer.
3. Always start at the top of your head, take a section about half an inch wide and 1-2 inches long, comb the hair up, and roll the roller down from tip to root (you may then want to clip this in place).
4. Repeat this technique - I would always recommend you working from the center of your head, right down to the back of your neck first.
5. Once this section is complete, work down both sides at the front and then the back.
6. Leave to cool for around 20 minutes.
7. Remove all rollers from the hair.
8. Dress your curls out! You can do this in a few different ways:

• Run your fingers through to loosen the curls.
• Give your hair a shake, this will look slightly messier.
• Softly run a brush through them for more of a wave.

Steam brushes are used slightly differently to a normal hairbrush, but they are very similar to heat styling brushes.

How to use:

1.  Start by shampooing and conditioning your hair as normal.
2.  Dry as normal, ensuring you are using a heat protector.
3. Fill the steam straightener with the required amount of water. Always check your manufacturer's instructions.
4. Set your desired temperature, higher for thicker hair, lower for finer hair.
5. Section your hair into small sections, start at the root and slide it through to the ends of your hair.
6. It is better to do 1 slow glide over each section than loads of small ones.
7. Repeat until you have finished the whole of your hair.