FLAT IRONS - WHAT SOME ARE MADE OF
There are various types of flat irons that are being offered. There are so many that it can make your head swim. I'm going to offer just some brief information on the various ones that I know about and have used.
First the break down of the various types of flat iron. I am using Wikipedia to obtain the definitions for the below names. I normally don't use it; however, it was convenient at the time. So for convenience sake, please see below.
CERAMIC - Per Wikipedia, the definition of ceramic is an inorganic, non-metallic, often crystalline oxide, nitride or carbide material that can be brittle, hard, strong in compression, weak in shearing and tension.
TOURMALINE - Per Wikipedia, the definition of tourmaline is a crystalline boron silicate mineral compounded with elements such as aluminium, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium, or potassium. It also can be classified as a semi-precious stone that comes in a wide variety of colors.
TITANIUM - Per Wikipedia, the definition of titanium is a lustrous transition metal with a silver color, low density, and high strength. Titanium is resistant to corrosion in sea water, aqua regia, and chlorine.
Now that you have a brief definition of the materials that most common flat irons are made of, lets talk about how they affect your hair.
When manufacturers started to change their flat irons, the first material that many started to use was ceramic. Ceramic flat irons were supposed to make the hair smooth because they heat evenly or what many say, they don't have hot spots.
Hot spots are various "spots" or locations on the plate of the flat iron that will become hotter than the other area of the flat iron plate. When the flat iron is passed over the hair, the "hot spot" can cause the hair to burn in that area, but not in the other areas of the hair.
Ceramic irons were advertised as not having this issue and having consistent heat throughout it's use. This would allow the iron to pass over and smooth the hair out evenly and consistently with each pass. Many people liked this because they got even results.
But then manufactures felt that they could improve upon the flat iron by making it with a different and even better material. Then came tourmaline.
Tourmaline is the newest material to the flat iron industry. As per the definition, it is a gemstone that has been crushed. It is used usually over a ceramic iron. It causes the heat to stay on the plates consistently, even while being used and when passing over the hair, it causes the hair to be even smoother than with a ceramic iron. It has also been said that it helps to reduce frizz when flat ironing hair also. It is has been stated by some manufacturers that tourmaline does not wear off the flat iron plates so that makes them more durable and long lasting. I unfortunately, cannot say whether this is true or not.
Titanium flat irons are advertised as being able to heat quickly and distribute the heat so that it does not burn the hair. Many people like this because the long lasting and even heat distribution of the iron. It is also stated that it smooths and reduces frizz for the hair also. Out of the three flat iron plate materials, titanium is the most durable and long lasting; however, it is the most expensive also. But many manufacturers state that because of it's longevity, it is a great investment.
Hopefully, the brief information that I provided will give you some brief insight on flat irons and will help you with your decision when you decide to make your next purchase of a flat iron. Make sure you comment below which flat iron you prefer and why. I would love to know. Later Gators.
First the break down of the various types of flat iron. I am using Wikipedia to obtain the definitions for the below names. I normally don't use it; however, it was convenient at the time. So for convenience sake, please see below.
CERAMIC - Per Wikipedia, the definition of ceramic is an inorganic, non-metallic, often crystalline oxide, nitride or carbide material that can be brittle, hard, strong in compression, weak in shearing and tension.
TOURMALINE - Per Wikipedia, the definition of tourmaline is a crystalline boron silicate mineral compounded with elements such as aluminium, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium, or potassium. It also can be classified as a semi-precious stone that comes in a wide variety of colors.
TITANIUM - Per Wikipedia, the definition of titanium is a lustrous transition metal with a silver color, low density, and high strength. Titanium is resistant to corrosion in sea water, aqua regia, and chlorine.
Now that you have a brief definition of the materials that most common flat irons are made of, lets talk about how they affect your hair.
When manufacturers started to change their flat irons, the first material that many started to use was ceramic. Ceramic flat irons were supposed to make the hair smooth because they heat evenly or what many say, they don't have hot spots.
Hot spots are various "spots" or locations on the plate of the flat iron that will become hotter than the other area of the flat iron plate. When the flat iron is passed over the hair, the "hot spot" can cause the hair to burn in that area, but not in the other areas of the hair.
Ceramic irons were advertised as not having this issue and having consistent heat throughout it's use. This would allow the iron to pass over and smooth the hair out evenly and consistently with each pass. Many people liked this because they got even results.
But then manufactures felt that they could improve upon the flat iron by making it with a different and even better material. Then came tourmaline.
Tourmaline is the newest material to the flat iron industry. As per the definition, it is a gemstone that has been crushed. It is used usually over a ceramic iron. It causes the heat to stay on the plates consistently, even while being used and when passing over the hair, it causes the hair to be even smoother than with a ceramic iron. It has also been said that it helps to reduce frizz when flat ironing hair also. It is has been stated by some manufacturers that tourmaline does not wear off the flat iron plates so that makes them more durable and long lasting. I unfortunately, cannot say whether this is true or not.
Titanium flat irons are advertised as being able to heat quickly and distribute the heat so that it does not burn the hair. Many people like this because the long lasting and even heat distribution of the iron. It is also stated that it smooths and reduces frizz for the hair also. Out of the three flat iron plate materials, titanium is the most durable and long lasting; however, it is the most expensive also. But many manufacturers state that because of it's longevity, it is a great investment.
Hopefully, the brief information that I provided will give you some brief insight on flat irons and will help you with your decision when you decide to make your next purchase of a flat iron. Make sure you comment below which flat iron you prefer and why. I would love to know. Later Gators.
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