Hair Straighteners – How To Buy (part 2)

Hair Straightener Technology

Now that you have your list what you require from your hair iron, lets look at how hair straighteners deliver performance. As the iron is clamped on the hair passed over it, the iron breaks down the hydrogen bonds found in the cortex, or the very middle of the hair strand. Once the hydrogen bonds are broken, the hair will not hold its natural for or shape. [1] Once the hair is exposed to moisture, the bond reform and the hair returns to its natural texture. Straightening sprays and gels coat the hair to prevent moisture from reentering, helping your hair stay straight for longer.

Flat Plate Straightening Irons

Choosing the right iron starts with the plates. Since the plates can cause both heat and mechanical damage, choosing the right plate is essential. Plates begin as a metal alloy and are coated to protect the hair. Inferior hair straighteners use teflon or even high temperature paint. These are to be avoided as the coating will quickly deteriorate and cause major damage to the hair.

The best straightening irons begin as a metal alloy and are treated with a hard ceramic  or tourmaline coating. This coating heats quickly, maintains an even temperature, and protects the hair from mechanical damage. Additionally, ceramic and tourmaline plates create negative ions when heated. These negative ions counteract the positive ions that hair makes from natural movement and friction.

Hair Straightener Heaters

Not all flat iron heaters are the same, nor do they all have the same quality. Many lesser brands use inexpensive PTC heaters to control temperature. The problem with this is the ability to control plate temperature. These control maximum temperature fine but have poor characteristics when controlling temperature in their lower to middle ranges.

The best flat straighteners on the market use two different heaters. PFTC and MCH heaters provide the best heating and control characteristics needed in salon quality hair straighteners. They heat quickly, their temperature can be easily controlled, and they self regulate maximum temperature.

This article is part two of an ongoing mini-series. Please check back soon for part three.

Hair Straighteners – How To Buy (part 1) – Hair Straighteners – How To Buy (part 3)

[1] Wikipedia – Hair Straighteners Article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair_straightener

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