Curling Irons

A hair iron or hair tong is a tool used to change the structure of the hair with the help of heat. There are two general kinds: Straightening irons, used to straighten the hair, and curling irons, used to make the hair curly. more...

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Straightening irons may also be called flat irons, but not to be confused with clothes flat irons. There are also irons, called styling irons, that can be used to both straighten and curl the hair. One tool means that you can straighten one portion of the strand and curl the other.

Hair straightening

History

Hair straighteners work by breaking down the hair's hydrogen bonds found in the hair's cortex, which cause hair to bend and become curly. Once the bonds are broken, hair is prevented from holding its original, natural form, though the hydrogen bonds can re-form if exposed to moisture.

In 1872, Marcel Grateau (a French Hair dresser) used heated rods to straighten or style hair. Ian Gutgold used harsh chemicals in lotions applied to the hair and scalp to straighten hair, however, these preparations often led to scorched scalps and damaged hair.

Simon E. Monroe patented a hair straightener in 1906 that comprised metallic teeth that are combed through the hair, while in 1909 Issac K. Shero patented a hair straightener composed of two flat irons that are heated and pressed together.

Years later, Sharrell invented heated metal hair-care implements, such as hot combs. The hot metal straightener slid easily through the hair, causing less damage and dryness than previously-used techniques. Later, ceramic and electrical straighteners were introduced, allowing for adjustment of heat settings and straightener size.

Another method of hair straightening is the thermal Japanese hair straightening technique, which acts as a sort of "anti-perm". It is now available at many salons but is quite expensive and must be repeated on a regular basis.

A new method of hair straightening utilizes thin strips of flexible solar panels. The panels may be charged via sunlight and the energy is stored until use. A panel is placed on either side of the user's head. When the energy is discharged, it has a domino effect of straightening all hair folicles through reverse static electricity. Currently the practice of using solar panels to straighten hair is popular in Japan and parts of Europe.

Modern flat irons

High-end modern hair straighteners have ceramic heating elements, which cause less damage to hair, are more effective and heat up faster than non-ceramic coated heating plates. Less expensive brands usually do not have ceramic heating elements though some may have a paint-like coating that gives the appearance of ceramic plating.

Read more at Wikipedia.org