A hair roller system that comprises a hair roller having a heating element, a battery, and a signal receiver is described. In one embodiment, the hair roller system also comprises a signal output device that allows a user to activate a hair roller to heat after being placed in their hair. Activating a heating element in a hair roller after it is placed in a person's hair avoids burns and discomfort from handling excessively hot rollers. In some embodiments, a hair roller may comprise an on/off switch, a temperature set point feature, and/or a heat duration set point feature.