December 22, 2005

If you’d like to temporarily transform your curly or wavy tresses into straight, sleek hair, a straightening iron can give you the smooth look you are after.

How do Straightening Irons Work?
When hair is heated and tension is applied, some of the bonds in the hair are disrupted. The result: temporarily straight hair. Wetting your hair will reverse the effect. In humid weather your hair absorbs moisture from the air and your straightened hair will not remain that way for as long as it would on drier days.

Ceramic or Metal?
Straightening irons are available with ceramic or metal plates. Professional hairstylists often prefer ceramic irons for the following reasons -

1. Ceramic panels are smoother than metal panels and are therefore less damaging to hair.
2. Ceramic panels heat more evenly than metal, giving a better hair straightening result.

Do Straightening Irons Damage Hair?
Straightening irons, like other heated hair appliances, can dehydrate (reduce the water content) of hair. If hair is overheated, hair breakage can result. Minimize damage by using your iron less often and by trying to keep the heat setting low.

Six Steps to Smooth, Straight Hair

1. Choose an iron that suits your hair type and length. For example, irons with wide plates are more suitable for longer hair.
2. If you are using an iron that is not designed for use on wet hair, ensure that your hair is completely dry. Otherwise, you risk damaging your hair. Therefore you should apply any leave-in conditioners or straightening balms before drying your hair.
3. Comb hair and heat iron.
4. Section off part of your hair ready for straightening, holding the rest out of the way with clips.
5. Carefully slide your iron over a small section of hair from root to tip. If the section of hair you are trying to straighten is too bulky, the results will not be optimal. Pull down (toward the floor) rather than out, but don’t pull too hard. Keep the iron moving to avoid overheating any one bit of hair.
6. Once all your hair is straightened, finish with hairspray if desired.