These are devices which heat the hair and by that the hair gets straight. These are called flat irons which should not be confused with cloth ironing. These hair ironing devices remove the hydrogen bond in the hair. Once the hydrogen bond is removed, the hair becomes straight. The ironing of the hair can be done at different temperatures. The hair irons will have temperature control units. Temperature can be set at different ranges. Hair Experts always advice that ironing should be done with the lowest temperature that is possible.

This is because if it is done at higher temperature, heated iron may remove all the oil in the hair and it may affect the health of the hair. Further, the heat tolerance level of hair differs from person to person. Hair ironed at a level beyond its tolerance will only damage the hair. Get the advice of the hair expert before applying the straightener. Mainly, there are two types of flat irons. The heating area of the iron is coated with a piece of metal or it is coated with ceramic. This is called as ceramic blade. A metallic iron will not have the ceramic coating.

Some Hair experts always advise use of irons with ceramic blades. This is because irons with metal blades are likely to completely dry the hair and in some cases even burn the hair. But ceramic blades do not do so. In ceramic blade irons, the heat is distributed equally throughout the blade and maximum use of the heat is possible. At the same time, the rate of cooling is faster compared to metallic blade. After use of ceramic blade iron, hair retains its oil content but the hydrogen bond is removed. As a result, hair becomes straight.

The heat up time in ceramic iron is quite fast, it takes just a few seconds to achieve the required heat. Of course a metallic blade also heats up quickly but it does not spread the heat evenly as a ceramic blade. Hair straightened using a ceramic iron retains its straightness for quite a longer period compared to other straightening techniques. Experts are of the firm opinion that ceramic iron is the best mechanism to straighten the hair.