Many naturals wish for sleek results without the fuss and effort involved with curling iron use, and flat ironing may be an ideal way to achieve that look. While flat ironing may help achieve it, you must learn how to use it correctly not to cause heat damage to your mane.
Choosing the Right Flat Iron
Finding the appropriate flat iron is essential when creating sleek, silky, straight locks from textured locks. However, due to a vast array of available models on the market, finding one may prove challenging – the key here is knowing your hair type and which options work best with it.
According to celebrity hairstylist Annagjid “Kee” Taylor, quality ceramic or titanium flat irons work best when styling natural hair. She says ceramic evenly distributes heat for less likely hot spot formation that could damage locks; titanium offers more robust heating capacity while providing smoother results.
Another ideal choice is An iron featuring ceramic and tourmaline technologies, like emitting negative ions to prevent frizz and static while straightening strands. Kee advises using her flat iron at least 1-2 times weekly while consistently applying a heat protectant spray beforehand to your locks.
The Temperature
Effective use of your flat iron is critical to protecting against heat damage. While occasional passes with medium heat settings should be acceptable, repeated applications of too much pressure could leave your hair dry and broken off over time.
The right flat iron temperature depends on your hair texture and condition. A general guideline would be to start at a lower heat setting before increasing it as you become more proficient with styling your locks.
Always apply a heat protectant before using a flat iron to straighten your hair. Heat protectants help protect strands from direct heat exposure while simultaneously keeping cuticles intact to help avoid heat damage. For even further safeguarding, look into purchasing one featuring infrared technology; this type of heat warms strands from within instead of simply drying and damaging them from outside sources.
Using the Right Styling Products
For optimal results when straightening natural hair, start by prepping and conditioning with a moisturizing serum or smoothing balm to hydrate and prep your strands before proceeding with styling with your flat iron. Next, protect them with heat protectant spray to minimize damage, followed by moisture-boosting shampoo and conditioner to seal in moisture after styling with your flat iron.
Kee Taylor of Deeper Than hair in Hollywood and celebrity hairstylist to Keke Palmer and Tiffany Haddish recommends using a heat protectant with starch for combatting frizz and humidity-blocking serum or smoothing balm in humid climates to manage humidity.
When selecting a flat iron for natural hair, Kee recommends selecting one with narrow plates. He suggests that half-inch plates provide better closure on your tresses while making it easier to straighten tight curls or textures without incurring excessive damage.
Cleaning the Iron
Flat irons should be adequately maintained by being regularly cleaned to remove product build-up, which may snag hair strands and cause damage, while altering how quickly the iron heats up.
If your flat iron has developed significant residue build-up, it could be time for an upgrade. Residue can snag hair strands, cause breakage, and prevent it from heating evenly.
If you don’t have access to professional cleaning products, several household items can help clean your flat iron effectively. Nail polish remover, rubbing alcohol, and spray-on oven cleaner all work effectively to break down hardened product residue on a flat iron. Once using one of these products, let it cool before wiping it with a cloth; allow it to completely dry before plugging it back in to reduce any risk of electrical shock.
