How to Straighten Your Hair with a Flat Iron
Looking for a more professional, sleek hairdo that you can style at
home? If a smoother, straighter look is what you have in mind, achieving
this at home is easy with a flat iron and practice. A flat iron is one
of the newest tools on the hair styling scene. Designed to get very hot,
it will straighten the curliest of hair. The concern here is the high
heat doing damage to your hair. You will want to educate yourself on how
to create the healthiest environment for your hair when using a flat
iron. The following steps will support you in that endeavor.
- Blow dry your hair with an ionic or a ceramic dryer. This will
cut down drying time and damage to your hair.
- Detangle and comb through wet hair by using a good quality comb.
No seams and wide tooth is best.
- Styling aid products should be designed specifically for use
with high heat tools and for your hair type. Google styling aid
products and become knowledgeable in what will be the best ones for
you.
- Learn to work with clips. Working with your hair in sections,
large jaw clips will hold the securely in place.
- Invest in a high quality flat iron. The ceramic made iron holds
heat well to seal and smooth your hair.
- Work with your hair only when it’s completely dry. Damp hair
will not hold the style well, despite claims to the contrary.
- To begin styling, clip ¾ of your hair to the top of your scalp.
Leaving the bottom of your hair as a fringe around your head. Take a
1 inch section and spray it lightly with a thermal protectant
product holding hair out as you spray.
- Place the flat iron close to the scalp of the section you are
working on and clamp down, keeping the section of hair at a ninety
degree angle as you pull the flat iron down slowly through the hair.
With a high quality iron, you should only need to go through each
section once. More than that creates unnecessary damage to the hair.
- Continue to work with the fringe concept as you continue to let
your hair down in sections and straightened.
- Once done, allow your hair to rest and cool down before applying
a comb or brush.
In choosing your flat iron, consider the temperature that works with
your hair type. This will help give you only the heat necessary to style
your hair. Not all irons have a temperature control so keep that in mind
when choosing yours. If your hair is thick and curly, 350-400 degrees
will be most effective. For fine, damaged, and chemically treated hair,
below 300 degrees is a healthy start. Increase heat if needed, but only
after the lower temperature proves to be ineffective. Normal hair
responds well to 300-380 degrees. Flips and curls are possible with a
flat iron, but get the straightening down first!
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