How to use hair straighteners in Argentina

Will my hair straighteners work in Argentina?

Check that your hair straighteners can work in Argentina:

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 listed below if the plug on your hair straighteners will not fit in the outlet.

If not then either:

Use dual voltage travel hair straighteners ^[2] - you might still need the correct power adapter for Argentina but these cheap lightweight accessories are designed specifically for the rigors of travel.

Buy travel hair straighteners for Argentina

Use a power converter (or voltage transformer) - you can then use your existing hair straighteners and other applicances with an 220 volt Argentinean power outlet, however this is considerably heavier and more expensive than dedicated travel hair straighteners. A voltage transformer changes the voltage but not the shape of the plug on your hair straighteners to fit in the types of wall outlet used in Argentina, therefore check that your voltage transformer includes a suitable power adapter for Argentina otherwise you will still need to bring a seperate power adapter. Be aware that your own personal hair straighteners might not be suitable for travelling and you risk damage in your suitcase. [7] [AD]

Warning: If your hair straighteners won't handle 220 volts used in Argentina you run the potential risk of blowing a fuse, damage to your hair straighteners or even an electrical fire hazard. Before using your hair straighteners in Argentina please read the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using hair straighteners in Argentina

Will my hair straighteners work in Argentina?

It depends on if your hair straighteners can operate using the 220 volt power outlets used in Argentina. If you're using either dual voltage hair straighteners or your hair straighteners is designed to handle 220 volts and you have the correct plug adapter then you'll be able to use the hair straighteners in Argentina. If not then you will need to consider purchasing either dual voltage travel hair straighteners ^[2] or a heavier and more expensive power converter. Read the guide on do you need a power converter to use a hair straighteners for help deciding which option is more suitable. [7] [AD]

Argentina power outlets and plug sockets

What voltage is used in Argentina?

The standard residential voltage in Argentina is 220 volts.

What electrical frequency is used in Argentina?

The frequency from an Argentinean power outlet is 50Hz. [8]

Which plug adapter do you need to bring for using hair straighteners in Argentina?

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

Plug Type C - You can recognise this wall socket by the two circular holes next to each other where the live and neutral plug socket pins sit.
Plug Type I - The wall outlet, technically called a type I power outlet, can be identified by the three slots for the live, neutral and ground blades.

A Type I power adapter will allow you to use 220 volt hair straighteners in Argentina - read the simple instructions below for full details of how to use hair straighteners in Argentina using a travel adapter. Note that unless you that have dual voltage hair straighteners you might also need to use a voltage converter. [6] [9] [AD]

Get a plug adapter for Argentina

Dual voltage hair straighteners

Are my hair straighteners dual voltage?

A simple method to tell if your hair straighteners supports a dual voltage power outlet is to look for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug or handle. The location might vary depending on the make or model of your hair straighteners, it should also state in the instruction manual or on the box. Some dual voltage models will change automatically but other models will feature a button or switch which allows you to toggle between different regions depending on which country you are in.

A specific number such as 110V indicates single voltage hair straighteners. If this number matches the 220 volts used in Argentina then you should be able to use your hair straighteners with an Argentinean power outlet.
A small voltage range with a dash such as 100-120V also indicates single voltage hair straighteners which can accomodate small voltage fluctuations. If the 220 volts used in an Argentinean power outlet falls within the range shown on your hair straighteners then you can use it in Argentina.
A large range separated with a dash or slash such as 100/240V indicates dual voltage hair straighteners capable of being used in Argentina or any other country.

[2] [AD]

Travelling to Argentina with hair straighteners

Is it safe to bring my hair straighteners to Argentina?

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 Argentinean power outlet, as long as you use the correct plug adapter for Argentina.

Please be aware that packing expensive domestic hair straighteners could put them at risk due to potential loss or damage in transit by a baggage handlers in Argentina. The inconvenience and costs involved in repairing expensive specialised hair straighteners in Argentina might overshadow the cost of purchasing cheaper dual voltage travel hair straighteners ^[2] before travelling to bring along with you. If you intend to bring along your own personal hair straighteners in your luggage either slide them inside a sneaker or boot to protect from light damage, or use a heat resistant and shockproof hot tools travel case or heat resistant mat pouch for hair straighteners and curling irons which also allows the hair straighteners to be transported whilst hot without waiting to cool down. [10] [11] [AD]

Can I pack hair straighteners in my hand luggage?

According to the TSA guidelines for hair straighteners there is no restriction on bringing mains powered hair straighteners in your carry on luggage through airport security in the US. The TSA recommends that you should verify that your airline that is flying you to Argentina will allow hair straighteners onboard and that they will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the airplane. Packing your hair straighteners in a dedicated heat resistant protective hot tools travel case leaves them easily accessible by airport security, they can be packed away quickly avoiding a tangle of wires in your carry on luggage (the TSA suggests wrapping cords tightly around hair straighteners). If you do intend to pack fragile or expensive hair straighteners in your hand held luggage then it is recommended to use hard carry on luggage as this offers the most protection against drops and knocks during your journey. [2] [10] [12] [13] [AD]

Power converters for Argentina

Do I need a converter to use my hair straighteners in Argentina?

The correct voltage transformer (or power converter) allows your hair straighteners using a different voltage to work using a 220 volt power outlet used in Argentina. A power converter is suitable for travellers who want to bring along their own hair straighteners, but it could be more costly to purchase a power converter than it is to buy dedicated dual voltage travel hair straighteners ^[2]. Also, a power converter is considerably bulkier and heavier than travel hair straighteners making a power converter less suitable when packing compared to travel hair straighteners. [7] [AD]

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

An expensive and heavy power converter transforms the voltage of 220 volts from an Argentinean power outlet to work with non-220 volt hair straighteners, however a more lightweight and cheaper power adapter (or plug adapter) will change the shape of the plug on your hair straighteners to fit into a power outlet in Argentina. [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.

[16] [18] [AD]

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.