If you have curly, frizzy or kinky hair, you have probably used an ionic ceramic hair straightener before. These tools look like curling irons, however the barrels are flat. Not that you have anything else better to do, but have you ever wondered how they work? Of course we know the heat plays a part in the straightening process, but it‘s a little bit more involved than that! Here’s how they work.
Cross section of a hair strand.
Every strand of hair has a cuticle, cortex, and medulla. The cuticle is the outside layer of the strand, and the medulla is the center or core of the hair strand. The cortex is situated between the two, and contains hydrogen bonds. If you’ve ever broken a carrot in half, and looked at the break, you’ll see the medulla right in the center. The hair strand is built similarly.
When heat is applied to the strand of hair using a ceramic hair straightener iron, the hydrogen bonds are broken down, and the hair becomes flexible. This allows the hair to become straight. However, when moisture is introduced to the cortex through the cuticle, the hydrogen re-bonds itself, and the hair goes back to its natural state. That’s why you see most girls going to great lengths to keep their hair dry! The slightest bit of moisture or dampness will reverse the straightening technique in seconds.
Cheap flat irons usually have a fake ceramic plate installed in them, which don‘t last very long. These fake plates are often coated with a material that wears off, which is very damaging to the hair. The best ceramic hair straightener will have plates made from 100% baked authentic ceramic.
A quality iron will have baked plates made of real ceramic, and sprayed on layers. These ionic hair irons usually get hot in about ten to fifteen seconds, and are far less damaging than cheap ceramic hair straighteners.
There are several different types of flat irons on the market. Take time to research the various makes and models, to find one suitable to your needs. Choose an iron that has authentic ceramic plates, a controllable temperature control setting, and one that has a tangle free cord. Overall, the most important feature of are the plates. The smoother the plates, the fewer snags, and less damage to your hair. If your budget allows it, then you might want to invest in a professional ceramic hair straightener.
