There are many different brands, makes and models of hair straighteners on the market. It is important to understand that although the names are not all the same and they work in a variety of ways, the bottom line is that they do straighten your hair. For those who want to have their hair straightened without putting harsh perms in their hair, the use of a hair straightener is the best solution.

Pros

If you are willing to spend about $100 for a straightener, some of the better ones available for sale can straighten your hair with the same perfection as a chemical perm and keep it straight for several days, eliminating the need to touch up hair in humid weather conditions. Curly hair that needs to be straight can benefit from hair straightening and looks great when it is long and smooth, which is what the hair straightener does.

These tools help to make hair that is tough to untangle more manageable by keeping the curl relaxed. Also called flat irons, the way it works is to take a small section of hair and press it between the two irons near the scalp and pull down slowly. Hair is heated and straightened to perfection.

Cons

Hair straighteners do apply heat directly to hair every time you use them. This means that it is very possible to over straighten the hair or to cause it to stress and break from too much heat. All straighteners come with heat settings you can choose from. The higher you set them, the more heat they deliver. The material that the straightener is made from makes a difference as well. Ceramic irons are said to be some of the best kinds on the market now because they heat quickly but do not overheat the hair shaft.

Care should be taken when straightening hair that has oil or any product that can cause the hair to hold heat as it is very possible to burn the scalp from the oil being heated on the hair shaft. It is also possible to burn fingertips that are nearby and holding the hair as you straighten it.

If you are looking for a hair straightener, you owe it to yourself to do a little research before you purchase. There are many different kinds of inexpensive ones available at every store from Wal-Mart to your local drug store. Although they may be cheap, the quality you get can be compared to the price you pay for your flat iron. You may be able to cut corners on other areas but a quality hair straightener will pay for itself in a very short time with the quality straightening it delivers time and again.

Treat yourself to a quality cut from a professional so that you can optimize using your straightener for the perfect look. The length of your hair should be a determinant in the size barrel you use. Longer hair can use a larger barrel but 1-1/4 inch width is a good size for hair of all lengths.