Flat iron and hair straighteners are very handy and convenient tools. They heat up very fast, usually in less than 30 seconds and can be used to straighten even the most course texture of hair. Just like in any other electrical appliance, the key to purchasing the right flat Iron is a solid basic understanding of the type of hair to be attended to. Buying the wrong tool could lead to serious damage to the hair strands and roots. Likewise, below is a detailed guide of what to look for in a flat iron and hair straightener.
Buying Flat Irons And Hair Straighteners
Size of the Plate
Keep your hair texture and the kind of styling you need in mind when getting a flat iron and straightener. Most versatile tools come with a plate size of 1 inch. These are ideal for short and soft hair for curling and straightening. For long and thick hair types, larger plates are preferable because they save the user a lot of time spent on going over the same spot several times to achieve desired results. Running a flat iron on the same spot many times weakens the hair.
Temperature Setting of the Tool
High temperature is not necessarily essential in hair straightening tools, contrary to what many customers think. Some hair textures change color or break when subjected to extreme levels of flat iron temperature. Choose a hair straightener that has an adjustable temperature setting so that when in use, you can start with a low temperature and regulate the temperature up to the degree that suits your hair. However, for thicker hair, you can start with a higher temperature so that you only run the straighter once on each point.
The Construction Material of the Plate
Flat iron and hair straightening tools are constructed using either Ceramic, Tourmaline or Titanium plate material. Ceramic is the most popular for business and home use because it heats up relatively fast, and the heat is distributed evenly. However, be keen before purchasing because some tools’ plates are not constructed entirely with ceramic, but have a ceramic coating. These tools work well for some time, but after a while, the coating wears off leaving the user with no other choice but to purchase a new tool.
On the other hand, Tourmaline is a relatively new material used to construct heat styling tools. It is an organic crystalline mineral material which produces more negative ions than ceramic material. Negative ions are important as they effectively balance the positive ions from the hair so that the hair lays flat and is completely free of frizz.
Plates made from Titanium material transfer heat the fastest among these three materials. They are preferred because they deliver instant results regardless of the texture of the hair. Titanium makes a heavy duty iron plate material, making it the best option for thick textured and curly hair.
Other Features
Hair straightening tools come with a variety of distinct features. If the type of hair to be attended to is naturally curly, the best tool to go for is the one that has a built-in steam function or comb teeth for easy taming of unruly hair. Cordless flat iron and straighteners are ideal for jet-setting, and instant heating straighteners are an excellent home hair appliance for people who may not have a lot of time to get ready, especially when going to work in the morning.