How long should you leave hot rollers in?

By Leah Williams •  Updated: 08/26/22

Hot rollers are indeed vintage. For sure it’s something your granny used to use during her days.

Given the invention of wands, irons, and other high-tech hair tools, you might have thought of ditching those heated rollers. But you shouldn’t, jumbo rollers, specifically, come in handy, for those with naturally thick hair.

If you’re wondering how long do you leave hot rollers in, here’s what Lucky Curl has to say:

You can leave the hot rollers in for a minimum of ten to 30 minutes at most, depending on how well your hair holds the curls.

Let’s go into details below!

How long should I leave heated rollers in?

In general, it depends on the style that you’re aiming for.

Still, for longer-lasting curls, you should leave the hot rollers a little bit longer on your hair. On the hand, if you want softer curls with an added volume, leave the heated rollers for a shorter period.

Also, make sure to let the curls set to achieve the desired hairstyle.

Can you leave hot rollers in too long?

You shouldn’t leave the hot rollers or curling iron on your hair too long to avoid heat damage.

Leaving it for 25 to 30 minutes on your hair is ideal – that’s long enough to create the perfect curls for most hair types.

It won’t be that damaging to your strands but that depends on the quality of the heated rollers. Also, you must consider hair type as well.

Tip: If you’re fond of loose curls or tight ringlets, the jumbo rollers are a fantastic choice. These types of Velcro rollers allow you to curl your hair faster too!

How damaging are hot rollers?

Using hot rollers can be damaging to wet hair. Completely dry hair is more suitable for styling or curling, in general.

Moreover, to minimize hair damage, be sure to prep your hair before using the hot rollers. Shampoo, condition, and make sure your hair is dried thoroughly. Also, be sure to apply some heat protectant before using the heated rollers.

Tip: Plug in your heated rollers before washing your hair to make sure they’re piping hot when you’re ready. 

Final Say

You can leave hot rollers in for a minimum of ten minutes depending on the style that you want to achieve and your hair type too.

You can use it on slightly straight hair for a kink-free finish and on naturally curly hair to loosen the curls for a softer finish. Don’t forget the hair spray for the final touches!

If you’re wondering which one between the heated rollers and curling iron is better for curling hair, we’ve compiled some details about hot rollers vs curling iron. Check it out!

Leah Williams

Leah Williams is the founder of Lucky Curl and has been in the hair care and styling industry for the last 15 years. Since then, she has developed incredible expertise and a deep understanding of how to treat and style the most difficult hair types and is passionate about sharing her knowledge with the readers of Lucky Curl.

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