A hair straightener is a hair tool used to make hair straight, using heat and two metal plates to flatten out the hair. It is used in professional salons as well as homes, and can keep hair straight until it is washed again. It can be used on curly hair or wavy hair, or even straight hair to make it even straighter.
Unlike a perm or chemical treatment used in a salon, a straightener is completely safe to use, even on children's hair. It only uses heat to keep hair straight, so it does not cause any damage to hair when it is used correctly. Just like a curling iron or blow dryer, the heat keeps the straight after using it. Additional products such as straightening serums or hair spray can be applied to thick or excessively curly hair to keep it in place, or when humid weather is expected.
Even though they are safe to use on a child's hair, there are many precautions that need to be taken into consideration before using it. The first one is the temperature of the straightener being used, because one with high heat can actually damage the hair. When using it on a child's hair, it should be kept on a low setting to avoid the hair from burning and breaking off. Extra attention should be paid to any fine hairs in the front, as well as the ends of the hair since they are more sensitive to heat and can burn easily.
When planning to use on a child's hair, it is important that it is done by an adult only. Even if it is on a setting low enough to use on hair, it can still be harmful if the metal plates come in contact with the skin. Most hair straighteners have plates that are slightly exposed on the sides, and could burn the skin if applied too close to the scalp. Burns can also occur if it is not handled correctly, so the best bet it to let an adult do the work to prevent any injuries from happening.
Like any other electric appliance or hair tool, a hair straightener should never be used hear a bathtub or any other water. It contains a power cord that must be plugged into an electrical outlet to work, and can cause serious injury if exposed to water. It is also not a good idea to use it on wet hair, since moisture from the hair can get inside. It should only be used in a dry environment, and should not be left near any water at any time.
When using a straightener, it needs to have time to heat up before using. It should be plugged in somewhere up high, so younger children cannot grab it and pull it down. When finished using the hair flat iron, it should be unplugged and again placed in a location that is out of reach of children. It should never be left unattended when plugged in and turned on, and needs at least 10 minutes to cool down before it is put away.
Using one on children's hair is completely safe, as long as it is used correctly and certain precautions are taken. By keeping it out of reach of children and only keeping it on a low setting, using a hair straightener is a completely safe hair tool to use.
Kristy is a professional hair stylist and writer for My Hair Styling Tools where you can find the Best Flat Iron. Visit us at http://www.myhairstylingtools.com
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