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.






