About Ceramic Straighteners
Hair straighteners with ceramic (and tourmaline) plates may be more expensive, but cosmetic scientists and even physicians concede that they have an advantage over other styling tools. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, ceramic straightening irons allow heat from the iron to be distributed more evenly and rapidly, allowing those who use them to style their hair more quickly, which in turn leads to less hair damage. The cosmetic scientists at the Beauty Brains website agree: The plates on cheap straightening irons "can't handle the heat"---and can snag your hair, which damages it.
The Process of Straightening
Applying heat to the hair is one way to get it straight. The Beauty Brains state that the reason why hair curls and frizzes is because of its water content and the chemical bonds in the proteins of the hair. Applying heat to the hair breaks down the hydrogen bonds in the inner core and temporarily re-forms it. Ceramic flat irons work similarly to heated blow-dryers, only the hair is pressed through heated plates. Straightening irons give more pronounced results and can be used on any hair type. The Beauty Brains compares straightening hair using heat to ironing the wrinkles out of clothes.
Ceramic Straightener Use
To get the best results from a ceramic straightener, first blow-dry the hair as straight as possible using a paddle brush or barrel brush. Styling serums, such as heat protectants, may be applied to the hair. Separate dry hair into manageable segments using hair clips---the smaller the segments of hair, the easier it is to straighten the hair. Straighten one segment at a time in one smooth motion from top to bottom without pausing. Larger segments of hair may require one or two more passes to get them completely straight.
Cautions
The AAD warns that ceramic hair straighteners can damage the hair when used improperly or too often, as altering the inner core of the hair can damage the outer cuticle of the hair, causing breakage. Many ceramic irons have heat settings that permit the iron to get as hot as 410 degrees F. The AAD notes that studies show that temperatures between 347 and 419 are sufficient to damage hair when used for only five minutes. The AAD recommends that styling products that offer heat protection be used on dry hair only and that ceramic hair straighteners never be hotter than 347 degrees F during use.
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