| One of the most popular trends in hairstyles | | | | of and how hot the iron will get. Most flat |
| is straight and sleek looks. If you have | | | | irons are made out of either metal or |
| naturally straight hair you can increase the | | | | ceramic. I have used both, and have found the |
| shininess of your hair by using the following | | | | ceramic to be much better. Over time, you |
| techniques. On the other hand, if you have | | | | will often find that metal flat irons will |
| curly or wavy hair, then the following | | | | not heat evenly; that is, spots on your iron |
| techniques will straight and add shine to | | | | will be cool while another spot is warm. |
| your hairstyle. To straighten hair, begin by | | | | There are claims that ceramic flat irons |
| shampooing, conditioning and towel-drying | | | | won't damage your hair; be aware that if you |
| hair. Apply a heat protectant product to your | | | | are clamping down two hundred degrees on to |
| hair, paying special attention to the ends. | | | | your hair, damage is inevitable. It is |
| Wash your hair with a tiny bit of | | | | possible that they aren't as damaging, but |
| moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Squeeze | | | | damage still will occur. As for the |
| out the excess water and apply serum to your | | | | temperature of the flat iron, you will need a |
| hair. Apply to the ends of your hair, not to | | | | higher heat for thicker hair, and a lower |
| the roots, so that they don't get oily. If | | | | heat for finer hair. |
| you're washing your hair every day or more, | | | | |
| it may be better to choose a mild shampoo | | | | Color can only be changed with chemicals (or |
| instead of a shampoo designed for oily hair. | | | | a wig!). A pigment called melanin controls |
| If you have decided to use a hair | | | | your hair (and skin) color. People with black |
| straightener, put your hair into sections | | | | or brown hair have eumelanin in their hair, |
| again, and run over your hair with the | | | | and people with blond or red hair have |
| straightener. If your hair is dry, it's a | | | | pheomelanin. A kid's hair color is nice just |
| good idea to wash it less frequently. | | | | the way it is naturally, so we don't |
| | | | recommend this treatment for kids. Some |
| Some people only need to wash their hair once | | | | people complain about hair loss or a burning |
| a week - and that's fine. Many people who | | | | scalp after getting their hair dyed. Others |
| have curly hair also have dry hair. Most hair | | | | have allergic reactions, like redness, |
| types will have success with this process, | | | | itching, or even trouble breathing. |
| except for some hair of African descent or | | | | |
| hair. Alawys use heat protection spray or | | | | Also be careful if you decide to dye your |
| else your hair will get damaged from | | | | hair a crazy color, like blue. Some dyes are |
| straightening. Relaxers. Relaxers | | | | meant to be temporary - like for Halloween - |
| (straighteners) work by breaking chemical | | | | but it may take time before you are back to |
| bonds in curly hair. Relaxers containing lye | | | | your usual color. |
| can cause skin irritation and hair breakage. | | | | |
| If you use a clothes iron, your hair will go | | | | Tips: |
| in all the wrong directions. Stay safe, and | | | | |
| use proper hair straighteners. They work on | | | | * Be sure to condition your hair often. Sun, |
| all hair and now you can get them cheap. Use | | | | cold temperatures plus the use of your hair |
| a flat brush. Plus, if you want it really | | | | dryer can be hard on your hair. |
| straight, use your straightening iron. | | | | |
| | | | * For best results, use products formulated |
| The Iron | | | | for your hair type. It does make a |
| | | | difference. |
| Flat irons (also called straightening irons) | | | | |
| come in many varieties. The two most | | | | * Give your hair a break and allow it to dry |
| important things to look at when shopping for | | | | naturally as often as possible. |
| a flat iron are the material it is made out | | | | |