Flat irons, wands and curlers. These tools allow us to style our hair as we see fit, but we all have that one flat iron that gets the hottest or curls the best. This is because of the types of material used on the plates of our styling utensils.
Ceramic, titanium, and tourmaline are the most commonly used materials for creating the plates of our beloved flat irons and other heated styling tools. Each of these materials have their own set of properties that allow them to apply different amounts of heat and shine to your hair. Knowing the distinct differences in these materials can help you find the right type of heat for your unique texture of hair.
Before we get into the materials, you must first know how heat from your styling tools gets your hair to straighten. Each of your heated hair tools are armed with negative ions. Ions are a group of electrically charged atoms formed by the loss or gain of one or more electrons. In this case, electrons gain, which creates a negative charge.
Your hair is positively charged. When you apply the negative charge of a flat iron to your hair it neutralizes the charges, resulting in straightened hair. Some of these materials are more ionic than others, resulting in varied amounts of heat production.
Ceramic:
Ceramic is a good heat conductor. It has an even distribution of heat, which allows for consistent results. Its ionic output does not match those of titanium, but that only lessens the chance of heat damage.
When looking for a ceramic iron, be sure to look for descriptive words like pure or solid ceramic. Otherwise, you might be tricked into purchasing a flat iron that is simply coated by ceramic material that can peel off.
Titanium:
Titanium has a very high ionic production. This material is a great heat conductor. It heats quickly and produces a consistent stream of heat. This allows for less heat damage.
Compared to ceramic, titanium transfers heat faster and more efficiently. One thing to keep in mind before purchasing a titanium flat iron is that if it’s not used carefully and properly it can cause more damage than its competitors.
Tourmaline:
Tourmaline is a material that is infused in ceramic and titanium heating tools. Its ionic productivity is greater than those of titanium and ceramic. Whether you choose ceramic or titanium plates, look for tourmaline infused plates.
The next time you’re looking for a new flat iron, don’t be confused by the box’s description. Keep these tips in mind and find the right flat iron for you!