Comparison of Hair Straighteners
Curly hair can be beautiful, fun and charismatic. Natural curly hair can also sometimes be irritating. Women with natural curls often long for straight hair and go to many lengths to get it.
|
Below is a detailed comparison of the hair straighteners available on the market today. Whether by temporary or permanent methods, chemical or device, you can straighten those curly locks in no time!
Ceramic Flat Iron Hair Straightener
The ceramic flat iron is used by many teenage girls and women as a temporary "fix" for moderate to extremely curly hair. This type of hair
straightener provides the desired look of straight hair without making a permanent or long-term change.
Flat irons are hand-held and medium in size. Most are smaller than the average hair dryer and operate very similar to a curling iron. The portion
of hair to be straightened is placed between the two heating iron pads and enclosed as the heat begins to straighten your curls.
Benefits and Disadvantages
A major benefit of using a flat iron is the fact that the iron
uses ceramic or tourmaline ions to gently heat the hair with infrared heat.
Frizz-free hair can be accomplished without damage from heat.
Another benefit is that the flat iron can be used as a tool to create a
variety of hair styles - one every day if you wish. You'll never be bored with your hair style again!
A disadvantage of using the ceramic flat iron is the straightening results
are only temporary. As soon as you wash your hair, you'll have to repeat the process. This can get quite tiring after a while.
Thermal Reconditioning
The results can last up to six months with some hair. This works well with hair that is very difficult to straighten using other methods.
Benefits and Disadvantages
Thermal reconditioning offers the benefit of long-term results, where using solely a flat iron would need to be repeated daily or with each wash.
A disadvantage, however, is that the process takes quite a while to complete
- usually several hours. So you'll need to determine if it's worth the effort.
Chemical Hair Straighteners
Chemicals are sometimes used to straighten hair by breaking down the very structure of the hair and removing curl. If you're trying to straighten
your hair from a previous curly perm and your hair is naturally straight, the chemicals will permanently remove those curls.
For natural curly hair, the curl will usually be removed until new curly hair grows in its place.
The chemicals most commonly used are sodium hydroxide, also called lye or guanidine hydroxide (no-lye.) Lye mixtures are more powerful than no-lye
straighteners.
Lye mixtures do have drawbacks. They can be damaging to the scalp and hair if
not applied correctly.
No-lye mixtures can be drying to the scalp and irritating to the eyes or skin
although they're not as harsh as the lye chemicals.
Make sure you choose the right salon and the right product for chemical hair straightener or
relaxer treatment.
Cysteamine Hydrochloride based hair relaxers are gentle and less damaging but if
not rinsed correctly can leave hair with unpleasant smell.
Make sure you choose the right salon and the right product for chemical hair straightener or relaxer treatment.
Other Temporary Straightening Techniques
Other ways hair can be straightened temporarily are by using a curling iron or hair dryer.
Curling irons are "ironically" used to press the hair as well, causing a straightening effect.
Hair dryers (along with a brush or comb) are often used to straighten hair by combing and drying out the curl. With some hair textures,
either of these methods can cause extreme frizziness.
No matter which method you choose to straighten your hair, you'll want to make sure it's safe for your hair. Determine if you want to create different
hair styles frequently or stay with one permanent straight hair style.
Consult a beautician about what would work best for your hair. You'll be enjoying smooth straight hair in no time.
Related Reading
A Popular Hair Straightener Treatment Worth Dying For!!
The October issue of Allure magazine in US includes an investigation into the Brazilian Keratin hair treatment also known as "escova progressiva" treatments, which cost as much as $600 and claim to turn dry, frizzy hair into smooth, silky hair for months. Many customers and stylists do not know that this Brazilian treatment often contains high concentrations of formaldehyde, a cancer-causing chemical.Read more...
Say Hello To Art Of Retexturizing In Gentler Way
People wanting to tame or straighten their curly, frizzy or kinky hair now have a new alternative salon service - one
that offers a kinder, gentler solution to re-texturize or re-shape their hair pattern to a soft, romantic wave or
sleek straight and shinny locks.Full Story: Chemical Hair Straightener to Tame Or Relax Your Curly Hair
The slim 1” plate width makes it easy to smooth and straighten shorter
hair and bangs, and the curved edges make curls and flips a breeze. Read more...