Once it was difficult, time consuming and unsafe for women who used old fashion flat irons to straighten their frizzy, wavy, curly or coarse hair. 

They spent hours to get their hair flat only to see it unravel when it got wet or the weather was humid.  Not only that, they may have accidentally gotten burned.

Fortunately, today’s flat irons or hair straighteners have features that make them more efficient and convenient to use.

They make flattening hair easier and stay straight longer, even when hair is exposed to moisture or high humidity.  They also heat up faster but are safer to use.

Many different brands of flat irons are available, each with common and unique features.

Here’s what to look for when shopping for a hair straightening flat iron:

Size

1 to 1.5 inch hotplates are best for hair less than shoulder length and are easier to control.  2 inch plates are best for longer hair.

Materials

Ceramic coated hotplates give hair the smooth shiny silky luster look.  Flat irons which also include tourmaline crystals that emit negatively charged ions seals the cuticles so they will retain moisture.

Variable or Adjustable Heat Settings

Heat or temperature adjustable flat irons allow straightening any hair type in almost any condition possible.  The Ceramic Tools CT2555 1 Inch Professional Ceramic Flat Iron has this convenient feature.

Safety

Hair straighteners use materials that protect hands from the heat.  Certain designs reduce the likelihood of burns around the face.  Auto shut-off can be found on some brands, for example Andis 67690 1-Inch Nano-Silver Tourmaline Wet or Dry Ceramic Flat Iron.

Maneuverability

Some brands have a comfortable and natural ergonomically designed handle.  They may also include a 360 degree swivel tangle free cord, such as the Farouk CHI GF1539 Turbo Big 2 Inch Ceramic Flat Iron Hair Straightener.