Flat Irons Buying Guide

Flat irons are used by professionals to give hair styles a smooth look. Hair is placed between two heated plates and the flat iron is drawn slowly along the length of the hair, warming it and sealing in moisture. This results in sleek, shiny hair – movie star hair.

How do you choose the best flat iron for your needs? For years the only available flat irons had metal plates that heated unevenly and gave women dried out hair that would break, leaving them with split ends. Products to repair the damage from these flat irons are a part of hair care women thought they would need to purchase forever. Deep conditioning treatments, some that leave hair limp and lifeless.
Today's flat irons are far different from those metal nightmares of the recent past. Thanks to leaps in technology we can enjoy soft, sleek and smooth hair from these hair tools. Split ends? No way! Good quality flat irons no longer have plain metal plates and are actually beneficial to hair. For instance, with the introduction of ceramic plates, infared heat sealed in moisture, reducing the need for any greasy conditioning treatments.

Flat Irons Buying Guide

When searching for the perfect flat iron, consider the following aspects before making any purchase:

Plates:
Plates come in differing widths. A wide plate smooths more hair at one time, while a narrow plate is versatile in styling. Plates with narrow, rounded edges can be used to flatten hair, style flips, or even to create springy curls. Some professional stylists use a flat iron in place of curling irons.

Material:
Flat irons are still available with metal plates. These plates do not heat evenly, may grab hair and perform poorly overall. New high quality models use ceramic plates or ceramic/tourmaline plates. These plates heat gently and do not burn hair. They seal the hair follicle, stop moisture loss and are responsible for that movie star look.
*Tourmaline is a semiprecious stone. It is ground into a fine powder and ceramic is impregnated with the powder. Tourmaline creates negative ions and this technology reduces frizz. Professionals and women styling at home praise the results.

Handle:
There are two handle types on flat irons, much like curling irons. A Marcel handle is used by professionals. The handle is squeezed in the hand to create pressure that holds the hair in place. A spring handle creates its' own pressure. Either handle style is appropriate for home use.

Heating:
For the best results, look for a flat iron that heats to 400 degrees F. This heat setting gives the best results and a style that will last all day. If you have fine hair, choose a lower setting.

Quality:

Discount products will give you discount results. Look for a quality product made by a reputable company, like the Karmin G3 Salon Pro. When you purchase a flat iron, use one that professional’s use- it will last you for years and provide the best results for a far longer period of time. It is far more economical to purchase an iron every 5 to 10 years over purchasing cheaply made irons annually.
In a nutshell, look for the best possible product and avoid metal plates in any flat iron. Never buy a flat iron with just one setting, even ceramic can overheat fine hair. Look for rounded edges on flat iron plates for more versatility – square edges may cause a crimp in the hair. Crimped hair went out of style years ago! Buy professional quality and expect professional results for years to come. For an extra boost to your style, consider a tourmaline impregnated ceramic style, though this is not a requirement.

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