How to use hair straighteners in French Guiana

Will my hair straighteners work in French Guiana?

Check that your hair straighteners can work in French Guiana:

If your hair straighteners can run on 220 volts or can support dual voltage (how you can check) then you will only need to bring a suitable power adapter listed on this page if the plug on your hair straighteners will not fit.

If not then either:

Use dual voltage travel hair straighteners ^[2] - you may still need a suitable power adapter for French Guiana but these cheap lightweight accessories are designed specifically for travel.

Buy travel hair straighteners for French Guiana

Use a power converter (or voltage transformer) - this will enable you to use your existing hair straighteners and other applicances with a 220 volt French Guianese power outlet, however this is significantly bulkier, heavier and more expensive than dedicated travel hair straighteners. A voltage transformer will change the voltage but won't change the physical shape of the plug on your hair straighteners to fit in the types of power outlet used in French Guiana, so please check that the power converter has the correct power adapter for French Guiana 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 damage in transit. [9] [AD]

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

Using hair straighteners in French Guiana

Will my hair straighteners work in French Guiana?

It depends on if your hair straighteners can operate using the 220 volt power outlets in French Guiana. If you're using either dual voltage hair straighteners or your hair straighteners is designed to handle 220 volts and you have the correct power adapter then you'll be able to use your hair straighteners in French Guiana. If not then you will need to consider buying either dual voltage travel hair straighteners ^[2] or a heavier and more expensive power converter, read the section on will a power converter work with domestic hair straighteners in French Guiana for help deciding which solution is more suitable. [9] [AD]

French Guiana power outlets and plug sockets

What voltage is used in French Guiana?

The standard voltage in French Guiana is 220 volts.

What electrical frequency is used in French Guiana?

The frequency of the current in a French Guianese power outlet is 50Hz. [10]

Which plug adapter do you need to bring to use hair straighteners in French Guiana?

There are three types of power outlets used in French Guiana, these are type D, C and E with the primary power outlets being type D:

Plug Type C - This ungrounded power socket (called the Europlug) can be recognised by the two adjacent holes where the twin pins go.
Plug Type D - You can recognise this power socket by three circular holes in a triangular shape for live, neutral and ground pins.
Plug Type E - You can recognise this power socket by two large round holes 19mm apart from each other for live and neutral pins with a single metal grounding pin protruding in the top forming a triangle pattern.

A Type D plug adapter is suitable for powering 220 volt hair straighteners in French Guiana; read the step by step instructions below for full details of using hair straighteners in French Guiana using a power adapter. Please note that unless you that have dual voltage hair straighteners you might also need to use a power converter. [6] [11] [AD]

Plug adapters for French Guiana

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 check for either a sticker or numbers printed on the handle or the plug. This location will vary depending on the make and model of your hair straighteners, it could also be written in the instruction manual. Some dual voltage hair straighteners can change automatically, however other straighteners will feature a button which allows you to change between different voltage ranges.

A specific number such as 110V indicates single voltage hair straighteners. If this number matches the 220 volts used in French Guiana then you should be able to use your hair straighteners with a French Guianese 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 a French Guianese power outlet falls within the range shown on your hair straighteners then you should be able to use it in French Guiana.
A large voltage range separated with a dash or slash such as 100/240V indicates dual voltage hair straighteners capable of being used in French Guiana or any other country.

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Travelling to French Guiana with hair straighteners

Is it safe to bring my hair straighteners to French Guiana?

It is preferable to bring dual voltage travel hair straighteners instead of packing your existing domestic hair straighteners to French Guiana as it ensures that they'll operate correctly with the 220 volt power outlets used with a French Guianese power outlet, as long as you bring the correct plug adapter for French Guiana. It is also worth bearing in mind that bringing expensive domestic hair straighteners might put them at risk because of potential damage or loss in your check in luggage by an airline baggage handler. The cost and inconvenience of replacing or repairing expensive quality domestic hair straighteners in French Guiana could be more than buying cheap dual voltage travel hair straighteners ^[2] before setting off. If you intend to pack your own hair straighteners in your luggage it is recommended to either slide them inside a boot or sneaker to protect from light damage, or use a shockproof and heat resistant hot tools travel case or heat resistant mat pouch for hair straighteners and curling irons which also allows the hair straighteners to be packed whilst hot without waiting to cool down. [12] [13] [AD]

Can you carry on hair straighteners to French Guiana in your hand luggage?

According to the TSA guidelines for hair straighteners there is no restriction on carrying mains powered hair straighteners in your carry on hand luggage through airport security in the US. The TSA also recommends that you should check that the airline who is taking you to French Guiana will allow hair straighteners onboard and that they will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the airplane.

Packing the hair straighteners in a dedicated heat resistant protective hot tools travel case leaves them easily accessible for airport security, 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 recommended to bring hard carry on luggage as this provides the greatest protection against knocks and bumps during your journey. [2] [12] [14] [15] [AD]

Power converters for French Guiana

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

The correct model of power converter (or voltage transformer) allows hair straighteners using a different voltage to work with the 220 volt power outlet used in French Guiana. Travellers wishing to use their own 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 buy a power converter. A power converter is also significantly heavier than travel hair straighteners making a power converter less suitable for travelling compared to travel hair straighteners. [9] [AD]

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

A small, cheap and lightweight power adapter (or plug adapter) changes the shape of the plug on your hair straighteners to slot into a power outlet found in French Guiana, however a heavy and bulkier power converter converts the voltage of 220 volts from a French Guianese power outlet to work with non-220 volt hair straighteners. [9] [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. [12] [13] [16] [17] [18] [19] [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.