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| {{Short description|Hair styling tool with heating element}} | |||
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| A '''hair iron''' or '''hair tong''' is a tool used to change the |
A '''hair iron''' or '''hair tong''' is a tool used to change the arrangement of the hair using heat. There are three general kinds: ''curling irons'', used to make the hair ]; ''straightening irons'', commonly called ''straighteners'' or ''flat irons'', used to ]; and ''crimping irons'', used to create ] of the desired size in the hair. | ||
| Most models have ]; cordless curling irons or flat irons typically use ], and some flat irons use batteries that can last up to 30 minutes for straightening. Overuse of these tools can cause severe damage to hair.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Doheny|first1=Kathleen|last2=Louise Chang (Reviewer)|title=How To Avoid Hair Damage from Blow Dryers, Flat Irons, and Curling Irons|url=http://www.webmd.com/beauty/hair-repair/how-not-to-wreck-your-hair?page=1|publisher=]|access-date=4 July 2016}}</ref> | |||
| ==History of hair straightening methods== | |||
| Hair straighteners work by breaking down the hair's ]s, which cause hair to bend and become curly. Once the bonds are broken, hair is prevented from holding its original, natural form. | |||
| ==Types of hair irons== | |||
| The first hair straightener was invented by ] using harsh chemicals in lotions applied to the hair and scalp. However, these preparations often led to scorched scalps and damaged hair. | |||
| ===Curling iron=== | |||
| Simon E. Monroe patented a hair straightener in 1906 that was comprised of metallic teeth that are combed through the hair, <ref></ref> while in 1909 Issac K. Shero patented a hair straightener comprised of two flat irons that are heated and pressed together. <ref></ref> | |||
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| '''Curling irons''', also known as '''curling tongs''', create waves or curls in hair using a variety of different methods. There are many different types of modern curling irons, which can vary by diameter, material, and shape of barrel and the type of handle. The barrel's diameter can be anywhere from {{convert|.5|in|cm|abbr=on}} to {{convert|2|in|cm|abbr=on}}. Smaller barrels typically create spiral curls or ringlets, and larger barrels are used to give shape and volume to a ]. | |||
| Years later, ] invented heated metal hair-care implements, such as ]s. The hot metal straightener slid easily through the hair, causing less damage and dryness than previously-used techniques. Later, ceramic and electrical straighteners were introduced, allowing for adjustment of heat settings and straightener size. | |||
| Curling irons are typically made of ], ], ], ], ]. The barrel's shape can either be a ], reverse cone, or ], and the iron can have brush attachments or double and triple barrels. | |||
| Another method of hair straightening is the thermal ] technique, which acts as a sort of "anti-]". It is now available at many ]s but is quite expensive and must be repeated on a regular basis. | |||
| The curling iron can also have either a clipless, Marcel, or spring-loaded handle. Spring-loaded handles are the most popular and use a ] to work the barrel's clamp. When using a Marcel handle, one applies pressure to the clamp. Clipless wands have no clamp: the user simply wraps hair around a rod. Most clipless curling irons come with a ] glove to avoid burns. | |||
| ==Modern hair straighteners== | |||
| === Straightening irons === | |||
| ] | |||
| {{Main article|Hair straightening}} | |||
| '''Straightening irons''', '''straighteners''', or '''flat irons''' work by breaking down the positive hydrogen bonds found in the hair's cortex, which cause hair to open, bend and become curly. Once the bonds are broken, hair is prevented from holding its original, natural form, though the hydrogen bonds can re-form if exposed to moisture.<ref>{{cite thesis |first=Melissa B. |last=Read |url=https://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.1/32779/57571289-MIT.pdf;sequence=2 |title=Designing a Better Hair Straightener |date=June 2004 |degree=BS (Mechanical engineering) |publisher=] |access-date=January 17, 2017 |page=5}}</ref> Straightening irons use mainly ] material for their plates. Low-end straighteners use a single layer of ceramic coating on the plates, whereas high-end straighteners use multiple layers or even 100% ceramic material. Some straightening irons are fitted with an automatic shut off feature to prevent fire accidents. | |||
| Early hair straightening systems relied on harsh chemicals that tended to damage the hair. In the 1870s, the French hairdresser ] introduced heated metal hair care implements such as ]s to straighten hair. ] used combs with wider teeth and popularized their use together with her system of chemical scalp preparation and straightening lotions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/history/100-amazing-facts/madam-walker-the-first-black-american-woman-to-be-a-self-made-millionaire/|title=Madam Walker, the First Black American Woman to Be a Self-Made Millionaire {{!}} The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross {{!}} PBS|date=2013-11-15|work=The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross|access-date=2018-05-23|language=en-US}}</ref> Her mentor ] is sometimes said to have patented the hot comb.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.freemaninstitute.com/poro.htm|title=Annie Malone: First African American Millionairess (Educator, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist)|website=The Freeman Institute|access-date=2018-05-23}}</ref> Heated metal implements slide more easily through the hair, reducing damage and dryness. Women in the 1960s sometimes used ]s to straighten their hair. | |||
| Less expensive brands of hair straighteners do not have ceramic heating elements. Some may claim to have ceramic plates when in actuality they only have a paint-like coating on the plates to give the appearance of a more expensive ceramic straightener. The cheaper models do more damage to the hair and are less effective. Higher quality irons, such as those used in salons, use true ceramic coated plates and ceramic heaters for full heat up in as little as 7 seconds. | |||
| In 1909, Isaac K. Shero patented the first hair straightener composed of two flat irons that are heated and pressed together.<ref>{{cite patent | country=US | number=943321| status=patent| title=Hair-straightener | gdate=1909-12-14 | fdate=1909-03-08 | inventor =Isaac K. Shero| url = https://www.google.com/patents/US943321?dq=first+hair+straightener }}</ref><!-- However hair straighteners as we know them today are credited to Scottish heiress, Lady Jennifer Bell Schofield, who refined and combined previous efforts into a hinged, two-plated heated iron in 1912. --> | |||
| A number of products may be used to stop the hair from drying out when it is straightened. Straightening may cause split ends and thinning of the hair. It may also make the hair appear damaged and unhealthy after long periods of use. | |||
| Ceramic and electrical straighteners were introduced later, allowing adjustment of heat settings and straightener size. A ceramic hair straightener brush was patented in 2013.<ref>{{cite patent|title=Hair straightening brush|pubdate=Nov 21, 2013|url=http://www.google.com/patents/CA2873465A1|inventor-last=GUY-RABI|inventor2-last=GUY|inventor-first=Sharon|inventor2-first=Yakov|country=CA|number=2873465}}</ref> Sharon Rabi released the first straightening brush in 2015 under the DAFNI brand name. The ceramic straightening brush has a larger surface area than a traditional flat iron.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ceramic vs Titanium Flat Iron: Which Is Better for Your Hair? |url=https://hairspies.com/titanium-or-ceramic-flat-iron/ |website=Hair Spies |access-date=28 July 2021 |date=23 May 2021}}</ref> | |||
| Hair straighteners should only be used on dry hair, unless they are specially made with vents to let the moisture out. These sort of "special" irons are usually called "Wet Dry" irons. | |||
| ===Crimping irons=== | |||
| Hair straighteners are not difficult to find and are found in many stores. Some work well, but can usually damage hair. The straighteners that do not damage hair may cost a great deal of money. These straighteners are usually used by hair stylists. | |||
| {{Main article|Hair crimping}} | |||
| The picture to the right is of a more expensive iron, the T3 Tourmaline Ionic Hair Iron. | |||
| '''Crimping irons'''<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.thefreedictionary.com/crimping+iron |title=Crimping iron|publisher=The Free Dictionary By Farlex|access-date=2012-05-24}}</ref> or '''crimpers''' work by crimping hair in sawtooth style. The look is similar to the crimps left after taking out small ]s. Crimping irons come in different sizes with different sized ridges on the paddles. Larger ridges produce larger crimps in the hair and smaller ridges produce smaller crimps. Crimped hair was very popular in the 1980s and 1990s.<ref></ref> | |||
| ⚫ | == See also == | ||
| ==Straightener brands== | |||
| *] | *] | ||
| *] | *] | ||
| * ] | |||
| *] | |||
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| ⚫ | ==References== | ||
| <references/> | |||
| ⚫ | ==See also== | ||
| *] | |||
| ==External Links== | |||
| * {{cite web | |||
| | title = Hair Straightener - LoveToKnow Hair | |||
| | url = http://hair.lovetoknow.com/Hair_Straightener | |||
| }} | |||
| * {{cite web | |||
| | title = Designing a better hair straightener | |||
| | url = https://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/1721.1/32779/1/57571289.pdf | |||
| | author = Melissa B. Read | |||
| | quote = Understanding the problem: What makes hair straight? | |||
| }} | |||
| ⚫ | == References == | ||
| {{Reflist|30em}} | |||
| {{Home appliances}} | |||
| {{Human hair}} | |||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Hair Iron}} | |||
| ] | ] | ||
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Latest revision as of 21:03, 9 October 2024
Hair styling tool with heating element | This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Hair iron" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (August 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
A hair iron or hair tong is a tool used to change the arrangement of the hair using heat. There are three general kinds: curling irons, used to make the hair curl; straightening irons, commonly called straighteners or flat irons, used to straighten the hair; and crimping irons, used to create crimps of the desired size in the hair.
Most models have electric heating; cordless curling irons or flat irons typically use butane, and some flat irons use batteries that can last up to 30 minutes for straightening. Overuse of these tools can cause severe damage to hair.
Types of hair irons
Curling iron
Curling irons, also known as curling tongs, create waves or curls in hair using a variety of different methods. There are many different types of modern curling irons, which can vary by diameter, material, and shape of barrel and the type of handle. The barrel's diameter can be anywhere from .5 in (1.3 cm) to 2 in (5.1 cm). Smaller barrels typically create spiral curls or ringlets, and larger barrels are used to give shape and volume to a hairstyle.
Curling irons are typically made of ceramic, metal, Teflon, titanium, tourmaline. The barrel's shape can either be a cone, reverse cone, or cylinder, and the iron can have brush attachments or double and triple barrels.
The curling iron can also have either a clipless, Marcel, or spring-loaded handle. Spring-loaded handles are the most popular and use a spring to work the barrel's clamp. When using a Marcel handle, one applies pressure to the clamp. Clipless wands have no clamp: the user simply wraps hair around a rod. Most clipless curling irons come with a Kevlar glove to avoid burns.
Straightening irons
Main article: Hair straighteningStraightening irons, straighteners, or flat irons work by breaking down the positive hydrogen bonds found in the hair's cortex, which cause hair to open, bend and become curly. Once the bonds are broken, hair is prevented from holding its original, natural form, though the hydrogen bonds can re-form if exposed to moisture. Straightening irons use mainly ceramic material for their plates. Low-end straighteners use a single layer of ceramic coating on the plates, whereas high-end straighteners use multiple layers or even 100% ceramic material. Some straightening irons are fitted with an automatic shut off feature to prevent fire accidents.
Early hair straightening systems relied on harsh chemicals that tended to damage the hair. In the 1870s, the French hairdresser Marcel Grateau introduced heated metal hair care implements such as hot combs to straighten hair. Madame C.J. Walker used combs with wider teeth and popularized their use together with her system of chemical scalp preparation and straightening lotions. Her mentor Annie Malone is sometimes said to have patented the hot comb. Heated metal implements slide more easily through the hair, reducing damage and dryness. Women in the 1960s sometimes used clothing irons to straighten their hair.
In 1909, Isaac K. Shero patented the first hair straightener composed of two flat irons that are heated and pressed together.
Ceramic and electrical straighteners were introduced later, allowing adjustment of heat settings and straightener size. A ceramic hair straightener brush was patented in 2013. Sharon Rabi released the first straightening brush in 2015 under the DAFNI brand name. The ceramic straightening brush has a larger surface area than a traditional flat iron.
Crimping irons
Main article: Hair crimpingCrimping irons or crimpers work by crimping hair in sawtooth style. The look is similar to the crimps left after taking out small braids. Crimping irons come in different sizes with different sized ridges on the paddles. Larger ridges produce larger crimps in the hair and smaller ridges produce smaller crimps. Crimped hair was very popular in the 1980s and 1990s.
See also
References
- Doheny, Kathleen; Louise Chang (Reviewer). "How To Avoid Hair Damage from Blow Dryers, Flat Irons, and Curling Irons". WebMD. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- Read, Melissa B. (June 2004). Designing a Better Hair Straightener (BS (Mechanical engineering) thesis). MIT. p. 5. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- "Madam Walker, the First Black American Woman to Be a Self-Made Millionaire | The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross | PBS". The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross. 2013-11-15. Retrieved 2018-05-23.
- "Annie Malone: First African American Millionairess (Educator, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist)". The Freeman Institute. Retrieved 2018-05-23.
- US patent 943321, Isaac K. Shero, "Hair-straightener", issued 1909-12-14
- CA 2873465, GUY-RABI, Sharon & GUY, Yakov, "Hair straightening brush", published Nov 21, 2013
- "Ceramic vs Titanium Flat Iron: Which Is Better for Your Hair?". Hair Spies. 23 May 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
- "Crimping iron". The Free Dictionary By Farlex. Retrieved 2012-05-24.
- The Crimped Hair Trend of the '80s Is Back