Hair Straightners History

The History Of The Hair Straightner

Have you ever wondered how the ladies back in the early days straightened or curled their hair? Well, believe it or not, there have been numerous ways on how they got rid of bad hair days. One of which is the use of clothes flat iron though it burnt a lot of hairs and scalp for the sake of vanity.

The process of heat hair straightening happens when the hair’s hydrogen bonds break down due to heat. Once the bonds are broken, it temporarily prevents it from coming back to its original form. Moisturizing the hair or simply washing it with water can help restore its original form.


Brief History

There have been quite a number of hair straightners used back in the early days such as strong chemicals, straightening combs, heated rods and electrical hair tools. In the 1960’s, the ladies have discovered that clothing irons are not only good in straightening clothes but also their curly hairs. Erica Feldman in1872, invented the heated rods used to style hair, but it often burn and damage both the scalp and the hair. Straightening combs where then introduced to the market which successful played part in hair styling business. It works by placing it in a heating device until the right temperature and then stroked thoroughly through the hair.

In 1909, Shero invented a revolutionary hair straightening device that inspired our modern hair straightners today. He made two heated flat irons pressed together making it easier to style the hair.

On the other hand, strong chemicals promised a more effective and lasting way of straightening the hair. It is applied directly unto the root of the delicate scalp and through the hair. Many have considered this very effective but very harmful and damaging to both the scalp and hair. It often leaves the hair becoming rubber-like and frizzy. The hair becomes permanently straightened or curled but makes it dry and loses moisture.

Hot metal combs were invented and proven easier to use and caused less damage to the hair. People find this easier to use compared to the previous techniques as it only lasts until you wash your hair. Now, modern hair electrical straightners are commonly ceramics with quality plates that cause less damage to the hair.

Like any other hair straightening products, repeated use of such will cause damage like dryness, split ends, brittling of the hair tendency to easy breakage and harder to manage.

Most salons today use both chemical and electrical flat irons to straighten or curl the hair. The process called “Relaxing/Re-bonding” and other methods are forms of permanent hair straightening. It uses the flat iron and strong chemical to give the hair a straight texture for 3 months or less although new hair growth is definitely not affected.

 

Best Hair Straighteners

There many hair straighteners in the market today but we have chosen a couple of products that we highly recommend.

Farouk CHI 1 Inch Ceramic Flat Hairstyling Iron

CHI Flat Irons provide CHI 44 Ceramic Technology, different plate sizes and features for every hair style and texture. Go for volume, or from wet to dry, express your personality or create any style by choosing one of these multi-use appliances. Plus, all CHI flat irons come with a 1-year warranty keeping your CHI safe.

Our verdict:

If you want something new and something that really works, go for the CHI. It works like magic. It’ll save you time from blow drying your hair as it can be instantly used with towel-dried hair. It won’t take long till you get your desired look – may it be curly or straight. It gives a lasting look without using or putting any serum in your hair. Other flat irons will dry your hair when used with wet hair, but with CHI, you can immediately use it after shower and a little towel drying.

Its thin size makes it handy so you can bring it wherever you are. CHI also offers other products such as serums and cream that will enhance its effect on the hair.

Price is a little bit pricey but worth every penny.

GHD MK4 1 Inch Ceramic Flat Iron

  • New rounder barrel so it’s even easier to create perfect curls, waves or flicks, as well as the perfect straight.

  • Sleep mode is a built in safety feature that gives you peace of mind by turning off if the ghd IV styler is left unattended for 30 minutes.

  • Now with universal voltage for optimum performance wherever you travel.

  • Unique digital technology means that the temperature is automatically controlled even quicker for even better styling.

  • Advanced ceramic heaters provide the ultimate surface for static-free sheen.

Our verdict:

This flat iron may look awfully the same as the others but it works as a state-of-the-art styling tool for the hair. It has a rounded barrel giving the user an easier grip and easier curling technique. Its advance ceramic heaters gives the hair a natural smooth look. The iron easily heats up and maintains the perfect temperature which saves time for people on the go. The package also includes a step-by-step guide for newbies to help them style their hair either straight, curly or wavy.

FHI Platform 1-inch Flat Iron


Product Features

  • Tourmaline treated plates produce up to 20x more negative ions allowing more water absorbed into the hair, enhancing the condition of the hair

  • Advanced PTFC heater generates maximum far infared heat

  • Beveled ceramic plates with 3 baked layers seals in moisture and eliminates frizz

Our verdict:

This flat iron heats up very quickly so its a plus for people who’s always on the go but be careful handling it as its really hot. It has a 9 feet long beveled cord which is very practical for professional use. Its has unique round tips making it work well for all types of hair. Its floating ceramic plates compliments the shape of the fair so its much easier to slide the iron unto the hair. It also makes the hair shiny without putting on hair protection or serum.

HAI Convertable 1-1/4 inch Flat Iron

Product Features:

  • Sapphire ceramic plates are unmatched for equal heat distribution.

  • New Infra Red Heat technology seals in hair’s moisture and luster.

  • Faster heat-up time than conventional coil straightening irons - It will rise to the desired temperature in less than 25 seconds from being turned on. Therefore, to save electricity and prolong lifespan, it should be turned off between uses with the Off-On switch located on the temperature control thermostat. It still saves half the time of conventional models.

  • Hotter and more consistent heat at all adjustable temperature settings.

  • Variable temperature settings (170oF - 390oF, 60oC - 200oC) for all hair types. For bleached, fragile, damaged and fine hair, the lower setting is advised. For normal hair and regular use, a middle range is recommended. For coarse, thick, ethnic and resistant hair in healthy condition, maximum heat on high setting is used to save time and effort.

  • Ergonomic design is easier to press, hold, mold, twirl and curl hair.

  • 1¼” width for added control, ideal for short to medium length hair.

  • Voltage: 120V 60Hz for use in US/Canada.

  • One-year limited warranty.

Our Verdict:

After using this product, hair is simply smooth and shiny. No need to add cream or oil serum to make your hair look shiny. It makes the hair seemingly vibrant all the time, whether its curly or straight. The Infra red heat sure does the work by keeping it bouncy. The unit also heats up very fast than other conventional straightening irons. HAI promises to rise temperature in less than 25 seconds which gives you the option to turn on and off the unit saving you much electricity bill. The temperature settings are adjustable depending on the hair type: fragile, bleached, thick, damaged and thin.

Ceramic Hair Straightener

After the popularity of the first hair flat iron, different companies have conceptualized on how to improve this innovation. Ordinary conventional flat irons that are sold cheaply in the market but usually causes hair problems such as dryness of the hair, breakage and frequent burns. Ceramic on the other is probably one of the best solutions that was incorporated with hair flat irons. Its main function is to protect the hair and help repair damaged hair follicles by maintaining an even temperature released by the flat iron. The ceramic technology helps eliminate damages in hair by producing negative ions that seal hair cuticles. Flat irons with ceramic plates repel humidity which gives your hair a lasting effect.

Professional stylists and personal users of hair flat irons find ceramic hair straighteners more effective compared to the traditional and cheaper irons with copper coils. It usually causes hot spots on the plate with uneven temperature making the hair dry resulting to pulling and snagging of the hair strands.

Ceramic technology penetrates deep into the hair cuticles and releases negative ions canceling the positive charges that smooths the hair strands When hair cuticles are sealed, natural oils and moisture are locked inside making your hair healthier and shines even better. .

There are many ceramic hair straighteners available in the market today Prices vary depending on the brand name and product features. Professional hair straightners are usually pricier because it is designed for long-term use so expect real performance. It will also save your money instead of replacing and buying low quality hair flat irons over and over again.

Some leading brands that are selling these products are written below:

  • Sede Ionic Ceramic Tourmaline Flat Iron

  • HairArt Ceramic Straightening Iron

  • CHI Ceramic Flat Iron

  • Amika Ceramic Styler

  • GHD Ceramic Hair Straightener

  • Solia Tourmaline Ceramic Ion Flat iron

  • Maxiglide Flat Iron

  • Babyliss Pro Titanium Flat Iron

  • FHI Platform Flat Iron

  • HAI Convertible Flat Iron

Cordless Hair Straightener


 

Due to public demand, cordless hair flat irons are made for people who’s always on the go. These cordless hair straightners are often slim and very compact that can easily be stored in your purse. This is convenient for people who have early morning jobs, who shower and quickly run to work.

There are two varieties of cordless hair straightners: battery operated and rechargeable. These two works perfectly fine but according to some users, battery-operated flat irons often don’t satisfy their needs to style the hair. The temperature takes awhile to heat up consuming time while the batteries don’t last long. Other hair straighteners come with two rechargeable battery packs - one in use while the other is recharging. It usually takes two hours to recharge the battery and lasts for an hour.

Other brands offer ceramic cordless hair straightners and curlers but have lower temperature settings. Most units are brands from china and korea.

Pink Hair Straightener

Pink hair straighteners have become a trend for the ladies. It looks better and it has a very feminine touch. Females who like to carry and bring their hair irons with them want to look like its a female gadget, a necessity to have and not a bulky hair tool. Other users, mostly women, are also very particular about the colors and sizes of their things. Younger market prefer a specific color which suits their personality.

Companies like Solia, GHD, CHI, Amika, Corioliss, FHI and Sedu have released their pink editions of hair straighteners. Most of these are limited edition that’s why the ladies find this a must have gadget. Most users claim that it has a better contour for easy handling.

Cheap and Discounted Hair Straighteners