Using a Flat Iron to Straighten Hair

With a flat iron, curly and wavy hair can become straight in just a few minutes sans the expensive treatments found in hair salons. You will, of course, still need hair styling products to set the hair but these are more affordable than going to a hair salon.

Straightening the hair is relatively easy. First, you must start with clean hair so shampooing and conditioning the hair is recommended before applying the flat iron. You can use a hair dryer and a round, flat brush to dry the hair in sections.

Second, you must separate the hair into manageable sections in a vertical manner. You must clip the top sections first, which will leave the last section underneath loose for the flat iron to go through.

Third, turn on the flat iron into either low or medium heat depending on the type of hair appliance. You must start with the lowest setting and then test it on a small section of hair so as to prevent widespread burning. If the heat is satisfactory, then stay at that level but you may also turn up the heat if the hair does not respond. The general rule is that the curlier the hair, the higher the setting but be very careful as hair can easily burn.

Fourth, you will grab one section of hair with one hand and place the flat iron near the roots but in a safe distance away from the scalp with the other hand. Now, you must slide down the flat iron down the hair section in a gradual manner until it reaches the ends of the hair. You must not stop too long on one area lest your hair becomes crimped, not straightened.

Fifth, you have to repeat the process over the other sections of hair in a horizontal pattern. The section above the straightened hair will be unclipped as it is passed through the flat iron.

Sixth, your finishing touch is either a straightening serum or a hair spray, which will hold the look. You may also brush the hair for more styling.

You may have to practice before getting the hang of the process. Or you can let a friend provide a lending hand while you can also return the favor after your have straight hair.

The process of using a flat iron to straighten the hair may be a relatively simple process but there are useful tips that will help make it a successful one the first time around. Besides, you want hair to look beautiful, not burned, so these tips should help.

• Practice with the flat iron when it is not turned on. This way, you will be able to get the hang of it in your hands without damaging your hair.
• Use the right size in flat irons. If you have shoulder-length hair, 1-inch to 1½-inch heating plates are sufficient for the purpose as well as being lighter, easier to handle and easier to control. Wider flat irons are available for longer hair but we do not recommend it especially when you are an amateur at its use.

A flat iron only has temporary straightening effects and some straightening irons are better than others like the solia flat iron or chi. You must repeat the process whenever you need to sport straight hair although daily applications are not advisable either. Give your hair a rest.