Flat Irons and Healthy Hair – How to Have Both

The wrong flat iron can really hurt natural hair. If you want to keep your hair healthy, it’s important that you choose the right flat iron. It may cost a few extra bucks, but you’ll save yourself lots of time and money in the long run.

Here’s some things to look for when shopping for a new flat iron:

100% Ceramic

Ceramic is more gentle on your hair than titanium, so if you have natural hair you should look for one that’s 100% ceramic. Lots of cheap flat irons will advertise themselves as ceramic-coated or nano-ceramic. “Nano” means small…those flat irons only have a small ceramic coating. A real, 100% ceramic flat iron won’t be cheap. You’ll likely spend $200+. If you have thin, fine hair though, it’s definitely worth it to spend the extra money to keep your hair healthy.

Check the owner’s manual. By law, manufacturers have to disclose if their flat iron is 100% ceramic or just ceramic coated.

Temperature Settings

Even some high end flat irons don’t have temperature settings. Be sure to purchase one that does. Finding a temperature that works for your hair will help to make sure it stays healthy and beautiful.

When you’re flat ironing your hair, it’s best to use the lowest temperature necessary to get the desired effect. It’ll keep your hair healthier.

Added Tourmaline

Tourmaline is a crystalline mineral. It can be crushed into a powder and infused into the metal plates of a flat iron. Tourmaline irons have a very high negative ion output that leaves hair sleek and shiny.

Choose the Right Plate Width

The wider the plate, the more strands of hair it can fit. 1″ plates are standard and should suffice for most people. If you’re hair is really long, 2″ plates may be a better option. If you have short or fine hair, you might want to look for a flat iron with plates smaller than 1″.