Hair Care Tips|Products|Treatments

Choosing A Flat Iron

August 25th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

Choosing A Flat Iron

Contrary to its name flat irons are not just for flattening hair in fact they are very useful and versatile. Flat irons can be used for many applications however we are going to talk about them for the purpose of flattening your hair, which is definitely much gentler on your hair then the salon alternatives that are available. The other bonus; it is much more cost and time (once you get the hang of it) effective to do it yourself at home.

All hair is different and all irons are different therefore you need to determine which flat iron is going to work for you. To start with most experts agree that flat irons with ceramic plates are the way to go, not only are they effective but they are also kinder to your hair.

Once you start shopping around for a flat iron you will notice that there is a large range of sizes available and if you look a little closer you will notice that there is a vast difference between the heat or temperature that each iron is capable of reaching. Many flat irons offer a temperature range allowing you to choose which works best for you.

As a general guide line:

1. If you have long, thick or coarse hair then you want to look for a flat iron that is between two and three inches wide and reaches a temperature that is above 200 degrees.

2. If have “normal” hair and iron that is between one and two inches long is sufficient, but again the length will determine to a large degree the width you choose.

3. If you have fine or thin hair you will be able to use a smaller iron, even one that is an inch wide should do the trick. Watch the temperature; you do not want to damage or burn your hair.

Another determining factor will be your budget. Flat irons range in price from twenty or thirty dollars to several hundred depending on the grade, for example professional or salon grade irons are much more expensive and in most cases are not practical or necessary for the average consumer.

As with all products the new best thing is constantly being introduced to the market, including the new “wet/dry” flat iron and also flat irons made with jade instead of ceramic. Choosing a final product may come down to personal choice and cost, however the same principles generally apply to all flat irons.