Flat Iron Techniques

Using a flat iron to straighten hair that is curly, wavy or frizzy is very popular. Flat irons break hydrogen heat bonds in the hair, causing it to lay straight instead of curly. Therefore, the curlier the hair, the more heat needed to break the bonds.

Getting Started

Select a flat iron hair that is right for your needs. The best choice is to purchase a ceramic flat iron. A ceramic flat iron's heat penetrates the hair more thoroughly than other metals (such as aluminum or aluminum-coated). An iron that is ceramic throughout (not ceramic-coated) may be a pricier option, but has far-reaching benefits in terms of protecting the hair.

Next, it is important to purchase a flat iron that has an adjustable heat function. This is especially important for those whose hair may be curly or coarse, and therefore will require a higher heat. However, this does not mean you should automatically use the highest heat setting on your hair. Begin by testing at a low setting, then gradually turn the heat up, using only the setting that allows you to obtain straight hair with the least amount of heat damage.

Before You Straighten

Make sure the hair is completely dry. Failure to thoroughly dry the hair can result in additional heat damage. If pockets of steam rise from your hair, your hair is not completely dry. If this occurs, you should dry that area of the hair as well as any others that may not fully be dry before using the flat iron.

Next, apply a heat or thermal protectant. These coat the outside of the hair and protect it from heat that can otherwise break the hair. While there are many (and often inexpensive) options out there, be sure to use one every time before straightening, as heat damage cannot be reversed.

Using the Flat Iron

If your hair is very thick, you may want to start by sectioning the hair (four sections works well: back, sides and front/top). Choose one to two inch sections, and begin at the very top of the hair, close to the scalp. Slowly pull the iron down the hair, creating a firm tension as you pull. It is possible to angle the flat iron to curl the hair under (angle the iron towards the face) or flip up (angle the iron away from the face) as well as creating a completely straight look.

The keys to flat iron success are to avoid using sections that are too big and to pull the iron slowly down the hair to straighten it. If you are not seeing desired results, you should evaluate your technique. If you use the correct heat setting and a thermal protectant, you should be able to use your flat iron every day; however, watch your hair for signs of damage, including breakage around the forehead (which may look like small cowlicks) or in the back of the hair. Also, if your hair takes longer to dry than usual, this may be a sign of damage.

References

• Hair Styling: Ceramic Irons v. Traditional Irons
• Protecting Hair from Heat Damage
• Heat Damaged Hair Conditioning