Although some people consider naturally curly hair a blessing, others envy those people who have straight hair. Thanks to a technique known as hair straightening, it’s possible to turn curly or frizzy hair into manageable straight hair. However, before getting your hair straightened it’s important to know the different types of hair straightening.
Types of Hair Straightening
Ceramic hair straighteners are the most popular type of hair straightening. That’s because they remain hotter for a longer period of time, leaving hair shiny and smooth. This type of hair straightening even works well on difficult hair textures. In addition to correcting frizziness, they flatten extremely tight curls in about half time needed for other types of hair straighteners.
Steam straightening, is cheaper, by doesn’t work as well for frizzy or exceptionally curly hair. This method may actually cause more frizz, keeping hair from being properly straightened. However, the steam method does best on hair that is already somewhat y straight.
Warnings for Chemically Straighted Hair
After getting hair chemically straightened it’s very important not to shampoo hair the following day. When you do shampoo your new straightened hair, be sure to use a shampoo especially designed for straightened hair recommended by your hair dresser. Also, wait to color your hair at least two weeks after hair has been chemically straightened.
The Purpose of a Flat Iron
Some people don’t get their hair straightened, but just use a flat iron to straighten their curly locks. Many people who do get their hair chemically straightened only get the procedure done about once or twice a year. During those in-between times it’s hellpful to use a flat iron to straighten new hair growth that comes in the usually curly or frizzy way.
Flat irons are made with a ceramic or tourmaline coating that has negative ions when they are heated. These ions interact with a hair’s positive electrical charges that are due to the hair’s natural movement or dry friction, making it harder to style. Positive electrical charges in hair result in the opening of hair cuticles causing unhealthy and dull hair. The negative ions of a flat iron cancel out the hair’s positive electrical charge. This results in hair smoothing and relaxing, as well as it being repaired.
Choosing a Flat Iron
There are really no differences between a ceramic and tourmaline flat iron. The size of the flat hair is related to hair texture and length. For example, while thick, curly long, extremely coarse hair needs a bigger plate size such as one that’s 1.5 to 3 inches long, very fine hair needs a smaller plate that’s 1 to 1.5 inches long, according to Folica.com. Medium textured long to short hair has plate sizes ranging from 1.25 inches (for long hair) to 1 to 1.25 inches (for short hair).Although smaller sized flat irons are easier and lighter, larger ones save time because they work faster with long thick hair. On the other hand, larger flat ones are less user-friendly and bulkier.
Finally, be sure to have a professional do the job. Although there are products sold to straighten hair, there’s too much risk in damaging your hair if you do it yourself. The process of chemically straightening hair needs the technical knowledge of a professional hair dresser who has much experience in doing the job right.
Resources:
- Folica: How to Choose a Flat Iron for Your Hair Type (date accessed 4/10/2010).
Venice Kichura - Venice Kichura is a freelance writer who writes on a variety of subjects. She holds a special passion for topics relating to art and ...
