How to use hair straighteners in Egypt

Will my hair straighteners work in Egypt?

Check that your hair straighteners can work in Egypt:

If your hair straighteners can run on 220 volts or can support dual voltage (how you can check) then you will only need to use a suitable power adapter for Egypt listed below if the plug on your hair straighteners will not fit in the outlet.

If not then:

Use dual voltage travel hair straighteners ^[2] - you might still need to use a power adapter for Egypt however these cheap lightweight accessories are designed specifically for the rigors of travel.

Use a power converter (or voltage transformer) - this will enable you to use your existing hair straighteners and other applicances with an 220 volt Egyptian power outlet, however this is substantially heavier and more expensive than dedicated travel hair straighteners. A power converter changes the voltage but won't change the actual shape of the plug on your hair straighteners to fit in the wall outlet used in Egypt, so check that the power converter comes with a power adapter for Egypt otherwise you will still need to purchase another power adapter. Also worth noting that your own domestic hair straighteners might not be suited for travel and you could risk potential damage in a suitcase. [7] [AD]

Warning: If your hair straighteners won't handle 220 volts you run a risk of a blown fuse, damage to your hair straighteners or even an electrical fire hazard. Before attempting to use your hair straighteners in Egypt check the instruction manual first to ensure safe operation.

Using hair straighteners in Egypt

Will my hair straighteners work in Egypt?

It depends on if your hair straighteners can operate using the 220 volt power outlets used in Egypt:

If you're using either dual voltage hair straighteners or your hair straighteners is designed to operate using 220 volts and you have the correct power adapter then you should be able to use your hair straighteners in Egypt.
If not then then you will need to consider using either dual voltage travel hair straighteners ^[2] or a heavier and more expensive power converter, read the section on do you need a power converter to use a domestic hair straighteners for help deciding which solution is more suitable. [7] [AD]

Egypt power outlets and plug sockets

What electrical frequency is used in Egypt?

The frequency found in an Egyptian power outlet is 50 Hz. [8]

What voltage is used in Egypt?

Power outlets in Egypt are 220 volts.

Which plug adapter will you need to bring for using hair straighteners in Egypt?

There are two types of power outlets used in Egypt, types F and C with the primary power outlets being type F:

Plug Type C - You can recognise the wall socket by the 2 circular adjacent holes next to each other where the pins go.
Plug Type F - You can recognise this wall socket by the two 4.8mm circular adjacent holes next to each other where the plug socket pins go, plus a pair of metal grounding clips on the top and bottom.

A suitable power adapter to bring when using 220 volt hair straighteners in Egypt is a Type F plug adapter; read the step-by-step guide below for full details of how to use hair straighteners in Egypt. Note that unless you that have dual voltage hair straighteners you might also have to use a voltage converter. [6] [9] [AD]

Get a plug adapter for Egypt

Dual voltage hair straighteners

Are my hair straighteners dual voltage?

A simple method to tell if your hair straighteners will support a dual voltage power outlet is to look for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug or the handle. The location might depend on the make or model of your hair straighteners and should also be written on the box. Some dual voltage models might change automatically but other straighteners will have a button which allows you to toggle between different voltage ranges.

Single voltage could say a specific number - such as 110V. If this number matches the 220 volts used in Egypt then you should be able to use your hair straighteners with an Egyptian power outlet.
Single voltage might also have a small voltage range with a dash to accomodate small voltage fluctuations - such as 100-120V. If the 220 volts used in an Egyptian power outlet falls within the range shown on your hair straighteners then you should be able to use it in Egypt.
Dual voltage will typically say a large voltage range separated with a slash - such as 100/240V. Your hair straighteners will be capable of being used in Egypt or any other country if these numbers are shown.

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Travelling to Egypt with hair straighteners

Is it safe to bring my hair straighteners to Egypt?

Bringing dual voltage travel hair straighteners are preferable to packing your existing hair straighteners as it ensures that they will operate correctly with the 220 volt power outlets used with an Egyptian power outlet, provided that you use the correct power adapter for Egypt.

Note that packing your expensive domestic hair straighteners could place them at risk due to potential damage or loss in your check in suitcase by an airport baggage handler in Egypt. The cost and inconvenience of repairing or replacing expensive quality hair straighteners in Egypt could be more than buying cheap dual voltage travel hair straighteners ^[2] before setting off. If you intend to pack your own personal hair straighteners in your suitcase it is recommended to either slot them inside a boot or sneaker to protect from light knocks, alternatively use a heat resistant and shockproof hot tools travel case or heat resistant mat pouch for hair straighteners and curling irons which will also allow the hair straighteners to be transported immediately after use without risk of burning. [10] [11] [AD]

Can I carry on hair straighteners to Egypt in my hand luggage?

According to the TSA guidelines for hair straighteners there are no restrictions when bringing mains powered hair straighteners in your carry on hand luggage through airport security in the United States. The TSA suggests that you should verify that the airline which is taking you to Egypt will allow hair straighteners onboard and that they will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the aircraft. Packing the hair straighteners in a dedicated heat resistant protective hot tools travel case leaves them easily accessible for airport security checks, they can be packed away quickly and should avoid a tangle of power cords in your carry on luggage (the TSA suggests wrapping wires tightly around electric items such as hair straighteners). If you intend to bring fragile or expensive hair straighteners in your hand held luggage then it is advisable to bring hard carry on luggage as this offers the greatest protection against knocks and bumps during transit. [2] [10] [12] [13] [AD]

Power converters for Egypt

Do you need a voltage converter to use hair straighteners in Egypt?

A voltage transformer (or power converter) will allow your hair straighteners using a different voltage to operate using a 220 volt power outlet used in Egypt. Travellers wishing to use their existing hair straighteners can use a power converter, however it might be considerably less expensive to buy dedicated dual voltage travel hair straighteners ^[2] than it will be to purchase a power converter. In addition, travel hair straighteners can be significantly lighter than a power converter making travel hair straighteners more suited for travelling. [7] [AD]

What is the difference between a voltage converter and a power adapter for Egypt?

A heavy and bulky power converter converts the voltage of 220 volts from an Egyptian power outlet to work with non-220 volt hair straighteners, but a more lightweight and cheaper power adapter (or plug adapter) changes the shape of the plug on your hair straighteners to fit into a power outlet found in Egypt. [7] [AD]

Hair straightener safety

Are hair straighteners dangerous?

The temperature of the ceramic plates used in hair straighteners can reach over 200 degrees with the potential to burn hair, skin, and even start a fire if not used correctly. According to figures from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service electrical beauty products have been responsible for an estimated 650,000 fires in the United Kingdom alone.

How can I minimise risk using hair straighteners?

Skin protection: Wear heat resistant gloves during styling to protect hands from heat.
Children's protection: With 10% of children's burns being caused by hair straighteners it is recommended to look for flat iron hair straighteners which include a heat resistant bag to keep the plates closed shut when not in use, making it easier to store out of reach of children.
Luggage protection: Placing hair straighteners directly into luggage without allowing them to cool down can risk damage to clothes and heating up combustible or flammable packed items. If your hair straighteners weren't supplied with a heat protective cap then wrap them in a heat resistant mat or use a hot tools travel case to pack them into luggage whilst warm. A travel case will also keep expensive hair straighteners protected from damage during transit.
Hair protection: Applying a heat protectant spray prior to using hair straighteners is essential to prevent burning, as well as using the correct technique for your hair type - read our guide on how to use hair straighteners for comprehensive information.
Fire protection: It can take up to 40 minutes for hair straighteners to cool down so resting your straighteners on a heat resistant mat could reduce the risk of setting fire to furniture. Forgetting to turn off hot domestic appliances can also cause fires. This risk can be reduced by using a model of straightener with a timer socket which will turn itself off automatically after a certain length of time, you can also add this feature to any basic straighteners by using a timer socket in a power outlet. [10] [11] [14] [15] [16] [17] [AD]

How can I add a safety timer to my existing hair straighteners?

1 in 12 owners of hair straighteners admit to forgetting to turn them off after use, unless your hair straighteners have a built in automatic timer then leaving them on could potentially start a fire. However you can add this functionality to any model even if it doesn't have an integrated timer:

Add an automatic timer to any hair straighteners by plugging them into a timer socket then plugging the timer into a power outlet.
Turn on the timer and use the hair straighteners as normal.
After you have finishing using the hair straighteners turn off the power at the outlet.
However if you forget to turn the power outlet off then the timer will automatically switch off the straighteners after a pre-set length of time. Depending on the model of timer this could be 15, 30, 60 or 120 minutes - ideally pick the shortest length of time possible.
For added peace of mind use a power outlet splitter to share the outlet from the timer with both your hair straighteners and a lamp. When the timer is running both the straighteners and the lamp will be turned on, making the lamp a clear indicator that the straighteners are still being heated. When leaving a room it is second nature to ensure all lights are turned off, if the lamp is still on then this acts as a reminder to switch off the straighteners.

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How to treat a hot iron burn

If you accidentally burn yourself run cold water under your burn and if it is severe it is advised to seek medical attention from a doctor or hospital.