Iron for keratin hair straightening: what is the best to choose and how to use?

When it comes to keratin hair straightening, having the right thermal straightener is essential. This modern procedure is designed to restore even the most damaged hair and shield it from the harsh impact of the environment. However, not just any straightener will do the job. It’s important to understand the specific characteristics that you should look for when selecting an iron for keratin hair straightening.

Straightening your hair and utilizing keratin treatments is beneficial for repairing and safeguarding your hair

• What is the process of keratin straightening and when can it be performed?
• Factors to consider when selecting a keratin hair straightening iron
• Maximum temperature and temperature control
• Plate coating

What is keratin straightening and under what conditions can it be performed?

When carrying out keratin hair straightening, the strands are first cleansed with shampoo and then coated with a unique formula comprising keratin and various silicones. These ingredients deeply penetrate each strand, forming a protective film that repairs and fortifies the hair. Moreover, the film enhances the thickness of each strand, resulting in a substantial increase in volume.

Keratin compositions have a profound impact on the straightening of hair.

Parameters for choosing a keratin hair straightening iron

• Today, there is a wide range of specialized keratin hair restoration products available in professional cosmetic stores.
• Excellent results can be achieved not only through salon visits but also through the use of these cosmetics at home.
• If your hair has been damaged by frequent straightening, an infrared iron can help restore it.
• Many young professionals are now providing this procedure at home after completing the appropriate courses, reducing its cost significantly.
• However, it is important to use professional straighteners even when conducting the procedure at home.
• As a result, more and more people are purchasing irons specifically for keratin hair straightening.
• The main factors to consider when choosing an iron for keratin hair straightening are:
• The temperature for heating should be at least 230 0 C;
• There should be a thermostat with an information display;
• The plates should have a high-quality coating.

The minimum temperature required for all straighteners used in keratin hair straightening is 230°C in order to achieve the desired effect on stiff and undamaged hair. Anything lower than this temperature will not deliver the desired results and render the procedure ineffective. The same applies to hair that is in less optimal condition, but in this case, the temperature can be slightly lower:

• 210°C – for colored and normal hair;
• 180°C – for damaged or lightened hair.

Digital display equipped temperature regulator

Plate coating

To ensure proper care for the hair during the keratin restoration process, it is essential to use a flat iron with a high-quality plate coating. It is strictly prohibited to use ordinary metal elements that come in direct contact with the hair. The best options for plate coating in this case include:

• Titanium: This coating provides even heat distribution across the entire surface, resulting in consistent thermal effects on the hair. The titanium coating allows the straightener to glide effortlessly through the strands, preventing hair from getting caught or pulled out. Although models with titanium coating tend to be more expensive, they are also the safest for maintaining the hair’s integrity.
• Iron with a ceramic coating is the most cost-effective option, offering quality that is comparable to more expensive options. The only drawback is that the plates need to be properly treated after each use to remove any keratin residue.

In addition to ceramic, there are other suitable coating options for hair straighteners that are becoming increasingly popular. These include Teflon or silver coating. Teflon coating ensures even heating, prevents sticking of the hair product, and is more affordable than tourmaline or titanium. Silver coating also provides an antibacterial effect.

For more information on how often you should clean your hair straightener, visit our website.

Other parameters for choosing a keratin straightening iron

Aside from the temperature, thermoregulator, and plate coating, there are other factors that affect the effectiveness and usability of the device. These include:

• Power: A higher power value indicates that the device heats up faster. A recommended power range for irons designed for this purpose is between 40 and 50 watts, allowing the plates to reach the desired temperature in just 30 seconds;
• Lightweight: If a straightener is too heavy, it can be difficult to hold for an extended period of time during use. The weight can only be determined through experience, so it’s important to hold the straightener in your hand and try using it for a while.
• A long power cable of at least 3 meters that can rotate 360 degrees around its axis. This feature will greatly enhance the convenience for the user, as there will be no need to constantly untangle the cord while using the device. Whether it’s winding up on the device itself or in the user’s hand, this rotating feature will eliminate that hassle.

The cord rotates completely around its axis at 360 degrees Celsius.

Keratin hair straightener care

Using cosmetic products will unavoidably contaminate the device.

To ensure a truly high-quality keratin restoration procedure, it is imperative to maintain cleanliness of the appliance at all times. This is particularly important for ceramic-coated irons, which are prone to getting dirty during the procedure. To guarantee the device’s cleanliness, it should be wiped with warm water, a soft cloth, and cotton swabs after each use, paying special attention to hard-to-reach areas. For better removal of keratin residue from the surface of the plates, the device should be slightly heated and turned off before cleaning, ensuring the plug is disconnected from the socket. This will ensure safety during operation.

If there are remnants of impurities remaining on the plates or the device’s body following the completed procedures, one can address these by gently wiping them away using a soft cloth soaked in a mix of water and alcohol. Once it is free from residue, it is important to give it a final wipe with a dry cloth and allow it to air dry. It is crucial to avoid using a hair straightener with any remaining moisture on its surface.

If you want to clean the straightener, wipe it with a soft cloth soaked in warm water.

The best models of irons for keratin hair straightening

To make the right choice when it comes to selecting a flat iron for keratin hair restoration and straightening, a good idea is to consider some of the top professional models, such as:

• The Valera Digital Ionic 100.01/I straightener, which features a powerful heating temperature of up to 230 0 C. It has floating plates coated with ceramic-tourmaline, a thermostat with a display, and an indicator that shows when the device is completely cooled down.

Valera Digital Ionic 100.01/I

• The GA.MA P21 ELEGANCE.LED straightener comes with floating plates coated with tourmaline. It has a temperature range of 130 to 230 0C and a power of 46 W. One of its additional features is an automatic shut-off after 60 minutes of inactivity.

GA.MA P21 ELEGANCE.LED

• The BaByliss PRO BAB2095E Must Styler features a power output of 44 watts, floating plates with a titanium coating, and an adjustable temperature range from 140 to 230 0 C. You can easily set and monitor the precise temperature using the push-button control and digital display.

BaByliss PRO Must Styler BAB2095E

Keratin hair treatment can be done at home, not just in a salon. All you need are the right cosmetic products and a suitable styling iron that can generate heat for the treatment. When choosing a styling iron, there are several important factors to consider. Firstly, it should have a temperature control feature, with a maximum temperature of at least 230°C. Secondly, it should have high-quality plates with a coating that is suitable for the treatment. Finally, the width of the plates should be between 20mm and 30mm for convenience. For more information on how to choose the best styling iron, please refer to our article.

The best size for the plates is between 20 and 30 mm in width.