What are hair straighteners and how to choose them?

Straighteners or hair straighteners have revolutionized the beauty industry, making the dream of millions of curly hair owners dream of perfectly smooth strands come true. But there is still controversy about how to choose a good device with attachments, and product reviews are controversial. All this, as well as how to perform the correct hair straightening with a curling iron, should be understood in more detail.

A hair straightener is a special device designed to straighten strands. This styling product is an electrical appliance and may have a power cord or built-in rechargeable battery. The iron may be intended for everyday use or have restrictions on the frequency of use. Outwardly, it resembles a curling iron a little, only the strands are not wound on the cylinder in a spiral, but pass through paired flat surfaces made in the form of "sponges".

The main classification according to which the straightening tongs are divided includes type of used plates... Like a curling iron, an iron can be metal, with ceramic or innovative coating, maintain cold treatment, ionize hair. And also there is a division by wired and wireless models, ordinary and professional options. All important features are worth studying in more detail.

This category includes household appliances designed for relatively short work. They are mass-produced, have a service life of up to 2 years, and are as easy to use as possible. Such irons are suitable for occasional hair styling, are inexpensive, and easily get dirty on contact with styling products.

If you plan to use the straightening device more than 2 times a week, it is better to give preference to professional models. They withstand the most intense operating loads, have additional attachments for different types of styling.

Tongs marked Professional differ from ordinary household appliances in a number of parameters. They are more powerful, designed for long-term continuous heating, have additional protection against power surges and other negative factors. In addition, professional pliers have a mode switch and options that are not available in household-class models.

Professional hair straighteners are made from durable, durable materials. They are protected from impacts, easy to clean from styling products. Even with daily use, their service life reaches 5 years. The safest and most high-tech options that do not harm hair are used as materials for the plates. In addition, the heating rate in such models is significantly higher - they are almost immediately ready for use.

According to the type of material from which the working surfaces of the hair iron are made, the devices can be divided into several groups.

• Metal, steel. The cheapest option, requiring strict control of the time of exposure to the hair surface. Due to the not too uniform heating and poor sliding ability, the risk of burning your hair is rather high instead of straightening.

• Teflon... This option is considered budgetary, but has its own characteristics. The teflon layer on the forceps gradually becomes thinner, underneath there is an ordinary metal that is not very useful for the hair. On average, the service life of such an iron with regular use does not exceed 2 years. But cosmetics do not stick to the special coating, and its care is minimal.

• Titanium... Expensive professional forceps that require careful and careful handling. If not properly cared for, the surface will scratch quickly. Titanium plates heat up quickly, and when using them, it is necessary to strictly control the temperature regime.

• Ceramic... A popular option presented in different price segments. Ceramic work surfaces are distinguished by good sliding, uniform heating, and do not harm hair. Such tools are inexpensive, get good reviews, but upon contact with styling products, they require mandatory subsequent cleaning. The forceps may break if dropped.

• Marble... A more expensive category of devices designed for professional or private use. Inside the body there are 2 sections at once, one of which heats the strand, and the other provides safe cooling. This type of device is considered safe, does not harm the health of the hair, even with frequent treatment.

• Tourmaline... They are also known as ionization forceps. The plates are made of tourmaline stone, which provides good glide and removes static electricity. The thermal effect on the hair is as gentle as possible.

• Jadeite... Their working plates are coated with natural stone and provide gentle heating. This is one of the few that are approved for use on wet hair. A good, if expensive, option for daily use.

• With silver ions. Such tongs have the most gentle effect on the strands, take care of them, and help to cope with static electricity.These devices are expensive, but really effective, the result of straightening lasts a long time.

The choice of material depends on the individual preferences of the master performing the installation.... Metallic options are the least valued. The more modern the coating is applied, the less damage is done to the hair during the procedure. The handle of the device is most often plastic, in more expensive models it has a rubber coating that does not slip in the palm of your hand.

High speed and intensity of heating is not the main thing in hair straightening irons. But this parameter becomes important if you want to tame violent curls in Afrostyle. Here, only professional models can cope with the task, capable of heating the plate to 200-230 degrees in a short time, and then maintaining a given mode.

Such heating is contraindicated for thin and weakened hair.... Here, the lower threshold for warming up the working surfaces matters. It is good if it is set at 130-150 degrees. This will help prevent damage to your hair. For healthy strands without staining, split ends, depending on their thickness, a temperature of 150-200 degrees is suitable.

This parameter is important if the amount of straightening work is quite large. Irons with wide plates useful for owners of thick and long hair. In this case, the processing will be faster, it will be possible to capture larger strands. For thin, short-cropped, sparse hair, suitable mini versions or models with the thinnest plates... They should be enough to eliminate curls and creases.

In addition to the classic irons, in which the position of the plates is adjusted only by the clamp, there are innovative models. They are equipped with floating elements to provide a gentle effect even on loose or damaged strands. In addition, the change in pressure also affects the exposure temperature.

The device is easy to operate, suitable for home use... When sliding through the hair, the effect remains as gentle as possible; if the compression is too strong, the spring element softens the contact, making it safer.

Many manufacturers today offer hair straightening irons with various options. First of all, we are talking about ionization - hair improvement, improvement of their structure. But sometimes this mode turns out to be just a publicity stunt, you should be careful when choosing a trustworthy brand.

Models with attachments allow vary the width of the working plates. This is convenient if the installation is done in turn by several people, or the device is purchased for professional use. And additional attachments can turn technology into multistyler, designed not only for straightening, but also for curling, creating curls or soft waves.

Hair straighteners are produced by dozens of brands today. Among inexpensive models, you can consider proposals Polaris, Scarlett, Maxwell. These companies produce low-cost appliances with ceramic coated plates. Firms Braun, Bosch, Philips, Bellissima many irons for home use with different types of coatings.

GA.MA Is a European manufacturer with a good reputation. The Italian company produces equipment with tourmaline plates for home use. A Chinese company was also noted in this direction. Xiaomi, producing its own version of the iron with a bright design and compact size. Model has Yueli Hot Steam Straightener there is steam humidification. Among manufacturers from the PRC, they are also popular Pritech, Sinbo.

Professional equipment is produced by brands Dewal, Moser, RiFF, Mark Shmidt, BB One, GHD, Hairway.

Choosing a good hair straightening iron also needs to be correct. There are a number of important parameters that you should pay attention to.

• Type of food... The device can have a built-in rechargeable battery, operate from the mains or support both methods of connection. If the model is combined, you should make sure that the 12 volt AC adapter is included in the package. If there is only a wired connection, the plug of the device must comply with the standards of the country in which it will be used.
• Type of plates. If you plan to straighten your hair often, you do not need to save. The best choice would be a device with tourmaline, marble plates. Among the budget models, ceramics are in the lead. With an average frequency of use, you can take models with a Teflon coating - they are quite durable.
• Temperature control method. Non-adjustable devices have long gone out of circulation. A modern iron can have manual control with a rotary controller, which is convenient for single-handed use of equipment, as well as buttons. In professional models, an electronic display is required for accurate control over temperature indicators.
• Plate width. It ranges from 15 to 80 mm, the narrowest options are convenient for pulling short strands and bangs. Wide ones easily cope with long or heavily curly hair.
• Form of work items... In multi-stylers, it is rounded, since the device is also used as a curling iron. In classic ironing, the corners of the plates should be straight and clear.
• Cord length. For home use, it should be at least 1.5 m. For professional models, this range is even wider - an indicator of 2-2.5 m or more is considered the norm.
• Equipment... Additional attachments for creating a corrugation effect, pulling with brushing, and other types of styling are not always an advantage. Many of them will never be used. But the case for storing and transporting the device is a useful addition.

Correctly straightening and not ruining your hair helps to follow the simple rules for using the iron. Let's analyze the order of actions when performing the procedure.

• Apply protective and styling agents to damp hair... It is important to do this after shampooing. It is not recommended to straighten dirty strands - the result will be much less impressive than on clean hair.
• Use a hairdryer. The hair should give off excess moisture, but you do not need to dry it out too much. Curly curls are dried with a brushing attachment, pulling them out.
• Adjust the temperatureby setting limits for heating the appliance. Here you must take into account the type of hair. Thin and porous 190 degrees will be enough, thick and dense will need to heat the plates to 200 degrees Celsius for straightening. It is important that the instrument maintains an accurate adjustment. Dyed, severely damaged hair is treated at a temperature not exceeding 150 degrees.
• Divide the strands. It is better to purchase special hairdressing clips in advance - they can be flat or in the form of crabs. The separated strands should not exceed the width of the working surface of the plates.
• Straighten... A strand is placed between the plates, then they are gently passed along the separated hair strip. The action can be repeated if the first time fails to achieve the result. They always start work from the back of the head.
• Fix the hairstyle... To keep the styling attractive longer, it is worth using varnish or other means of fixing.

When working with an iron, it is important to observe standard safety precautions... Avoid skin contact with the heated surface of the plates. If the manufacturer limits the duration of continuous operation of the device, you should adhere to the mode set by him in order to avoid equipment breakdown.

For information on how to properly straighten your hair with an iron, see the next video.

During the operation of the hair straightener, he may need care... First of all, this applies to household models, on the surface of which plaque from styling products is easily formed. When heated, these deposits can harm the hair and cause splitting at the ends. It is quite possible to clean the working surfaces from plaque at home. This will require soft terry cloth or microfiber cloth.

It is possible to remove carbon deposits from the plates only in a heated state.... So the deposits on them will heat up, become soft. The plates should be warm, but not too hot. After that, the device is disconnected from the network, the napkin is moistened in clean warm water, wrung out, rubbed with the soles of the iron. Likewise, you can remove traces of styling products from other parts of the appliance.

After each use of the appliance plate, you can wipe with paper towels or napkins soaked in alcohol solution, water. After that, the iron is left to dry completely.

The use of harsh abrasive compositions is excluded when caring for the iron. This can scratch or wear off the protective layer, making the appliance unsafe to use. Strong pressure should be avoided when cleaning. In hard-to-reach places to remove dirt, you need to use cotton swabs moistened with water. It is strictly forbidden to make any manipulations with the device connected to the network.

When using an iron, hair receives an intense thermal effect. Proper thermal protection helps to minimize harm from contact with hot plates. Most modern products are suitable for wet application, but it is better to distribute the composition just before straightening.

In case of violation of safety measures, overheating, low quality or improper use of the device, it is almost impossible to avoid problems. Damaged hair needs restoration that can eliminate split ends, return them to their natural moisture and thickness. It will be useful to follow the recommendations of specialists.

• Replacement of conventional care products with special ones. You need to choose a shampoo, balm marked "for damaged hair." Keratins, natural oils, herbal ingredients are welcome in the composition. Sulfate-based products will definitely not work - they will only exacerbate the problem.

• Use of masks for intensive recovery. It is good if a professional salon care product is used in this capacity. Depending on the type of hair, the mask will have to be applied from 2 times a week.

• Undergoing a keratin restoration procedure... This stage is suitable for those whose hair has already come to a deplorable state and cannot be regularly exposed to heat. The effect of the procedure will last for up to 6 months.

• Damaged hair protection... For them, the influence of sunlight, sea salt, chlorinated water is dangerous.Contraindicated for the recovery period and visiting a bath or sauna, intense discoloration of the strands, their discoloration with compositions using hydrogen peroxide. It is also better to refuse a hair dryer and hard combs.

• Homemade Nutrients... You can make your own rinse based on burdock broth, make a burdock oil wrap. Masks based on honey, fermented milk products will bring benefits. It is only important that there is no allergic reaction to them.

• Trimming damaged areas. If the hair is badly damaged, the most sensible solution would be to remove the most problematic areas. Most often these are the ends of the strands, sometimes you have to part with 10-15 cm of length.

Most reviews about hair straightening irons can be classified as positive... Consumers choosing products from well-known companies note the high quality and long service life of the devices. Modern models have convenient thermostats and other options that make the straightening procedure at home an alternative to going to a beauty salon. Among the useful functions, there is protection against cord kinks - models with a rotating mount are convenient to use when styling your hair yourself.

The big advantage is the low weight of such equipment, its compact size. It is convenient to take the straightening tongs with you on trips, on vacation, on a business trip. The latest generation models with an information display and a wide range of adjustable parameters are also highly appreciated. The most positive reviews were received by irons, in which the plates have an increased width - they cope better with the treatment of thick, long hair.

There are also negative opinions or criticism. For example, Chinese-made models do not always have an AC adapter available, especially if the goods are shipped from abroad. Some users are unhappy with the limited operating time of the devices, too short power cords.