# How to use a curling wand without burning yourself Source: https://plateandcurl.co.uk/blog/how-to-use-a-curling-wand-without-burning Published: 2026-10-12 Publisher: Plate and Curl **In short:** Always wear the heat resistant glove on the hand that wraps the hair, hold the wand pointing down and away from your face, and only touch the cool tip, never the barrel. Work with sections small enough to wrap without fiddling, keep the barrel clear of your forehead, ears and neck, and rest the wand on its stand between sections. If you have lost the glove, buy a replacement rather than using a tea towel or bare fingers. Curling wands have no clamp, so the hand that wraps the hair works close to a barrel that can sit at around 185 °C or more. Small burns on fingertips, the forehead and the back of the neck are common, especially while learning. Almost all of them can be avoided with the right glove, a few habits and a sensible set-up. This guide covers what to wear, how to hold the wand and how to set up your space. ## Wear the heat glove Most wands come with a heat resistant glove, often covering the thumb and first two fingers. Wear it on the hand that wraps the hair around the barrel, not the hand holding the handle. It is designed to let you touch the hair on the barrel briefly, not to hold the barrel itself. If your glove is lost or worn thin, replace it. Heat gloves for styling tools are inexpensive and widely sold. Fabric that is not designed for heat, such as a sock or tea towel, can let heat through quickly or slip. A worn glove with holes or thin patches should also be replaced. - Glove on the wrapping hand. - Fingertips on the hair, not the barrel. - Replace gloves that are thin, holed or stiff from product. ## Hold the wand the right way Hold the wand vertically with the tip pointing down. That keeps the barrel away from your face and lets gravity hold the hair on the barrel. Use the cool tip at the end as a steady point for your gloved hand if you need it. Wrap away from your face, starting a few centimetres below the root. Wrapping right at the root brings the barrel close to the scalp. At the front, tilt your head slightly away from the wand, and at the back, use a mirror or work by feel with smaller sections rather than reaching awkwardly. 1. Brush and section dry hair, clipping the rest away. 2. Hold the wand tip down with the barrel well clear of your face. 3. With the gloved hand, wrap the section around the barrel, keeping fingers on the hair. 4. Let go of the end and hold the end in place with the gloved fingertips only if needed. 5. Count the seconds, then slide the curl off downwards. 6. Return the wand to its stand before taking the next section. ## Set up a safe space Rest the wand on its built-in stand or a heat proof mat on a hard surface, never on a bed, carpet, towel or makeup bag. Keep the cord untangled so you cannot pull the wand off the table. Swivel cords help. Work in front of a mirror with good light, sitting if you can. Rushing is the main cause of burns. Keep children and pets away while the wand is on and cooling, and unplug it as soon as you finish. Many tools have a sleep mode, as our explainer on [whether straighteners turn off automatically](https://plateandcurl.co.uk/blog/do-straighteners-turn-off-automatically) describes, but do not rely on it. Note: If you burn yourself, cool the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes and seek medical advice for anything larger than a small surface burn, a burn on the face, or any burn that blisters badly. The NHS website has first aid guidance for burns. ## Other ways to cut the risk If wands make you nervous, consider tools that keep fingers further from the heat. Curling tongs have a clamp, so you hold the handle and lever rather than wrapping by hand; see [how to use curling tongs](https://plateandcurl.co.uk/blog/how-to-use-curling-tongs). Automatic curlers enclose the barrel in a chamber, as explained in [automatic curler vs curling wand](https://plateandcurl.co.uk/blog/automatic-curler-vs-curling-wand). Air stylers such as the Dyson Airwrap style at much lower temperatures. If you want a wand anyway, look for a cool tip, a stand, a glove in the box and a swivel cord. Our guide to the [best curling wands and tongs](https://plateandcurl.co.uk/best/best-curling-wands) lists premium options with these features. [See the best curling wands and tongs](https://plateandcurl.co.uk/best/best-curling-wands) ## Tricky areas: fringe, neck and ears Fringes and face-framing pieces bring the barrel closest to your skin. Take very small sections, lift them away from your forehead and wrap upwards and away. Some people find a small straightener easier for fringes. At the nape and around the ears, bend your ear forward with your free hand and use smaller sections. A hand mirror helps you see the back. Never hold the barrel against your neck to steady it. ## Frequently asked questions **What can I use instead of a curling wand glove?** Buy a replacement heat glove made for styling tools. Ordinary fabric is not designed for that heat and can slip. **Why do I keep burning my forehead with my wand?** You are probably wrapping too close to the root or holding the wand horizontally. Point it down and start a few centimetres from the scalp. **Are curling tongs safer than wands?** The clamp keeps your fingers further away, so many people find them easier to use safely. **How hot does a curling wand get?** Many premium wands, including ghd models, style at about 185 °C. Adjustable wands may go higher. ## Buying guides on this topic - https://plateandcurl.co.uk/best/best-curling-wands - https://plateandcurl.co.uk/best/best-straighteners-for-curling ## Sources - [NHS: burns and scalds](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/burns-and-scalds/)