Hair iron
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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. 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.
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[edit] Hair straightening
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. [1]
[edit] History
In 1872, Marcel Grateau (a French Hair dresser) used heated rods to straighten or style hair.[2] Simon E. Monroe patented a hair straightener in 1906 that comprised metallic teeth that are combed through the hair,[3] while in 1909 Issac K. Shero patented a hair straightener composed of two flat irons that are heated and pressed together.[4]
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.
[edit] Modern flat irons
High-end modern hair straighteners have ceramic heating elements and are more effective due to their constant heat, with a very fast heat up time (less than 10 seconds). A higher quality plate is the most desirable asset of any flat iron. Better plates straighten the hair easier and cause much less damage. Very hard ceramic coatings that are sprayed in layers and baked on, tend to do the best. Less expensive units usually do not have ceramic heating elements and some may have a paint-like coating, that gives the appearance of ceramic plating. These cheaper coatings wear off very quickly and cause more damage to the hair.
There are two types of damage all flat irons create. Heat damage and mechanical damage. Heat damage is unavoidable since the hotter a flat iron is, the better it works (up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit). Less mechanical damage is achieved through smoother plates. Most plates are aluminum and coated with something, such as a hard ceramic coating. As cheaper coatings wear off, the levels of mechanical damage increases.
Daily or very frequent use of a flat iron will damage the hair. Less frequent straightening - every other day, for example - will reduce this damage.
Many straighteners claim to use ionic and infra red technology, which claims to seal in moisture and oils and to reduce static and frizz.
Depending on the hair type, repeated use of hair straighteners, like most other heat styling tools, can cause varying amounts of damage such as split ends, thinning of the hair shaft and even causing hair to become brittle and prone to breakage. Generally, after extensive damage, hair will show signs of dryness and display an unhealthy appearance. However, many companies have began to manufacture heat protection sprays, shampoos and cream which aim to reduce the amount of damage that is caused by the use of straighteners.
Hair straighteners should only be used on dry hair, unless they are specially made with vents to let the moisture out. These sort of irons are usually called "Wet Dry" irons.
Based on the materials used in the heating plates, hair irons can be classified as ceramic and traditional metal flat iron. Ceramic hair irons are believed to be more gentle on the hair.
[edit] Hair curling
Hair curling may be achieved through heated rollers, heated irons, steam-heated curlers, or by a perm. Modern curling irons are made of elements similar to that of straightening.
[edit] Hair crimping
Hair crimping is a form of hair curling, where the hair is crimped into smaller curls with the use of a sawtooth iron or a narrow straightener.
[edit] Hair iron brands
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Read, Melissa B. "Designing a Better Hair Straightener." MIT, . [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ Hair Straightener Patent Number 819444
- ^ Hair Straightener Patent Number
[edit] External links
- Melissa B. Read. Designing a better hair straightener. “Understanding the problem: What makes hair straight?”
