How to straighten your hair with an iron?

One of the most popular ways to straighten hair at home is to use an iron (straightener, styler, curling iron). However, not everyone is familiar with the intricacies of working with him. The consequence of this can be overdried strands, their untidy appearance, insufficient efficiency of using the device. You can avoid negative consequences thanks to the correct choice of ironing and following the recommendations for its use.

Choosing a straightener is a major step towards a beautiful, sleek hairstyle. It will depend on him:

1. the effectiveness of this straightening method;
2. preservation of hair health;
3. ease of use;
4. the ability to choose the optimal temperature;
5. safety of using the device.

This is the most budget-friendly option. However, it is hazardous to hair health. The metal plates in the device have uneven thermal conductivity. The result will be overdried, damaged strands. It is quite impossible to minimize the negative impact of such ironing.

These are Teflon coated metal plates. It provides an easier glide along the strands. They do not stick to such material and have a healthier appearance after the procedure. Unlike metal plates, Teflon plates neutralize static and lead to more efficient results. A significant disadvantage of these irons is their short service life, on average 1 year.

Here, a distinction must be made between ceramic coated and all-ceramic plates. The first option is comparable to Teflon coated plates in terms of properties and service life. The second option has become very common in terms of price-quality ratio.

Ceramic rectifiers are always equipped with a thermostat. They can have various useful functions, for example, ionization or steam supply. Such devices will last for a long time, depending on the quality of the ceramics and assembly.

These plates are made of tourmaline-coated ceramics, which significantly improves the quality of the irons. They do not need an ionization function, since tourmaline emits negatively charged particles when heated. This allows you to remove static.

The surface of the tourmaline straighteners is smooth for easy gliding. The styling products do not stick to her. With a gentle effect, these irons are suitable for weakened and colored hair. Their cost is higher than ceramic, but the long service life justifies the cost.

Titanium is the lightest and most durable metal. Plates made of this material heat up quickly and evenly. They also neutralize static electricity. These irons do not have a destructive effect and are effective in use.

Such plates include titanium-tourmaline, ceramic-marble and other types of irons. Combination inserts combine the best properties of various materials to achieve wear resistance and improve straightening quality.

When choosing, be sure to take into account the presence of a thermostat, the absence of sharp corners on the plates, the mobility, smoothness and width of the plates, depending on the length and structure of the hair. The longer the length, the wider the plates can be. For coarse hair, it is better to choose narrower plates for better processing. To straighten bangs and multi-level hairstyles, you also need to choose a straightener with narrow plates so that no creases form during pulling.

Rinse your hair thoroughly, paying special attention to the root area, and then apply conditioner. It is better if it has a smoothing property to facilitate further work. All products must be well washed off in warm water to smooth out the scales. After that, the hair should be lightly wrung out with a towel and combed using a damp hair brush.

You can dry your head naturally or with a hair dryer. It is better to refuse any styling products before straightening. When exposed to high temperatures, they begin to bake on the hair, damaging it.

The exception is thermal spray. It glues the hair plates together and prolongs the straightening effect. It is better to apply the spray on wet hair before using the hair dryer. This makes it easier to distribute.

The main thing is not to dry your head at this stage. If you use a straightener on completely dry hair, then during the procedure it will begin to use the vital moisture from its structure. However, it is also not worth carrying out the procedure on damp hair, otherwise the effect of the device on them will be too long.

Hair should be about 5% damp after blowing a hairdryer. This percentage is difficult to determine tactilely. During drying, you need to control the humidity with your hand. At the moment when moisture ceases to be felt on the treated area, you need to stop using the hair dryer.The residual excess water will remain and will not only minimize the impact on hair health, but will also help the iron to do its job well.

The entire preparatory stage should be reduced to ensuring easy gliding of the iron and its short effect on the strands. Therefore, the hair must be well prepared for straightening. Especially if you have to straighten curly strands. In this case, it is better to start pulling them while drying with a hairdryer using a brush.

The procedure can be easily performed at home by yourself. It is enough not to rush, step by step performing all the actions.

First of all, the hair must be properly fixed. If they are short, then you can collect them in two tails: at the back of the head and at the top of the head. If the hair is long, then one tail can be made taller. The tail should be weak so that the strands can be pulled out easily. After that, you should proceed to the main stage.

Straightening starts from the lowest strands near the neck. You must first move horizontally until the bottom row ends, then go up a row higher. The thickness of one strand is on average 3-4 cm. The straightener is carried out from the roots with a slight indentation so as not to burn the scalp and damage the hair follicles to the ends. And so each row of strands is processed from bottom to top.

After using the styler on the root area, the hair subsequently gets dirty more quickly. Therefore, if the hair is naturally straight, and the styler is used to give it additional smoothness, then you can start straightening not from the very roots, but slightly below.

The same recommendation is suitable for those who want to end up with a voluminous hairstyle. In this case, owners of curly hair need not touch the root area on the inner strands of the hairstyle. And straighten the upper strands from the roots with a safe minimum indent.

In order for the hairstyle to be perfectly straight and smooth, you need to iron exactly in a straight line, without turning around its axis. The stiffer the structure, the thinner the strand should be. You need to move slowly, not staying in one place for more than two seconds. It is advisable to carry out one strand with a styler no more than once. The ends of the hair can be slightly curled - the hairstyle will look natural.

In general, such styling is performed quite quickly, and the effect is very noticeable. But remember that this effect will quickly disappear in a humid environment. Rain, snow, and even styling or hair care products can quickly ruin your hairstyle. Especially if your hair is naturally curly.

Each hair type has its own temperature range. For thin, weakened or colored surfaces, a heating temperature of 130 ° C to 160 ° C is suitable. Normal hair can be straightened at temperatures between 160 ° C and 175 ° C... For strong, tough, you can set the temperature from 175 ° C to 200 ° C.

Having chosen your range by structure, you need to start straightening along its lower border. If, for example, a strand of fine hair is effectively smoothed at 130 ° C, no further increase in temperature is required. If the result is not enough, it is worth adding the temperature one step of the thermostat. And so you can move in your range until the most acceptable mark is selected.

Having chosen the safest temperature for your hair, knowing the technique of working with a styler, it is important not to forget about safety precautions when using it.

The rules for using the iron include both general requirements for electrical appliances and individual recommendations to minimize its negative impact on the hair. The list includes a number of items.

1. Do not allow water to enter the iron.
2. Keep it away from children.
3. Do not touch the hot parts. If necessary, you can use a thermal protective glove.
4. The device can only be placed on a heat-resistant surface.
5. Do not leave the rectifier turned on unattended.
6. It is not recommended to use the iron at the maximum temperature.
7. After each use, it must be wiped off first with a damp cloth and then with a soft dry cloth.
8. Do not wrap the cord around the appliance. It is necessary to periodically check its serviceability.
9. It is undesirable to use the rectifier frequently. It is recommended to straighten their hair no more than once a week.

After exposure of the hair to high temperatures, they inevitably lose vitality, become more vulnerable. Therefore, you need to protect them from additional negative external influences. Among them, the harmful effects are:

1. direct sunlight;
2. chlorinated water;
3. aggressive substances in hair care products;
4. metal brushes and hairpins;
5. tight hairstyles;
6. aggressive styling;
7. diet;
8. procedures to change the appearance of hair, for example, dyeing, lamination.

There is a wide selection of hair restoration products on the market. It must be remembered that many of them only mask the problem, but do not have a beneficial effect on the hair. In order not to aggravate the situation, it is imperative to get acquainted with their composition. Among the various products, masks and oils have worked well.

Masks can be mixed from natural products at home. It is an economical hair care option that does not harm your hair. Among the ingredients most often used are egg white or yolk, honey, herbal decoctions (chamomile, calendula, burdock and others), kefir, cognac, tincture of capsicum. Well-proven capsules with vitamins A and E, which are added in the amount of two drops to the selected mixture.

Several types of oils are most effective for hair.

This oil is intended for hair restoration after curling, straightening. It nourishes hair with antioxidants, restoring its healthy appearance. In addition, it has a firming effect and prevents the formation of dandruff.

Due to the content of vitamins and phenols, olive oil has a nourishing and regenerating effect on the hair structure. It is recommended for dry, brittle hair. In addition, it has a beneficial effect on dry scalp.

The oil is able to penetrate deep into the hair, nourishing and restoring it from the inside. This action is possible due to the content of fatty acids in its composition. The hallmark of castor oil is its ability to enhance hair growth.

Burdock oil has a pronounced moisturizing effect.It smoothes unruly strands and protects hair from adverse external influences.

This firming oil can not only improve the appearance of hair, but also promote hair growth, elasticity and shine. It slows down cell aging and has an anti-inflammatory effect on the scalp.

The oil is intended primarily for dry and lifeless hair. It gives them back their shine and strength. In addition, it has an antimicrobial effect, relieving inflammation and itching on the scalp.

Moisturizing and nourishing oil is rich in vitamins. It is suitable for all hair types, strengthens its structure and stimulates growth. It can often be seen in various cosmetics.

The oil is known for its cleansing and strengthening effects on split ends and damaged hair. It prevents them from falling out and is often used in combination with other oils.

With constant care and gentle handling, your hair can be kept in good condition, even with weekly styler use. And although the strict geometry of the lines in the hairstyle is in fashion, and women are increasingly resorting to the help of styling devices, first of all, you need to remember about the well-groomed hair. Any hairstyle is variable. Always relevant and beloved by many, the square, for example, looks beautiful both in a smoothed and wavy, slightly sloppy form.

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