The biggest mistake women make when straightening their hair is assuming the heat from their flat iron can work overtime and help dry their hair while styling it. But not drying your hair completely before submitting it to the extreme temperatures of a flat iron is a surefire way to damage and even destroy your strands.

Even though steam irons will work on slightly damp hair (but never wet!), Strength x Beauty founder Lisa Abbey says she doesn’t recommend these because when wet, hair is elastic and more prone to stretching and snapping when tension is applied.

 “Always coat the hair (when wet) with a protective leave-in conditioner (we use Instant Beauty Balm), moisture serum or thermal protectant and blow dry thoroughly before ironing,” Abbey says. “Use the blow dryer to do the work drying the hair and only use heat irons as a ‘finisher’ because of the intense heat they generate. The less time irons touch the hair, the healthier the hair will remain.”

 And, if you are devoted to your flat iron, Abbey has one last suggestion about how much time you spend with your beloved device: “Keep it healthier by keeping it short and sweet,” she says. “Only flat iron each section of your hair once or twice at most, keeping the iron moving quickly (and downward so as not to ruffle the cuticle) at all times.”