Background and Identification

A flat iron or straightener, uses heat to change the structure of the hair to make it straight and smooth. The way they work is by breaking down the positive hydrogen bonds in the hair’s cortex. The bonds become broken and the hair is prevented from holding its original form. However, if the hair is exposed to moisture, it will re-form the hydrogen bonds and go back to its original form.

Historically, heated metal plates or chemical straighteners were used to straighten hair. French hairdresser Marcel Grateau introduced hot combs to straighten hair in the 1870’s. Madame CJ Walker popularized a wider toothed hot comb that also utilized chemicals to help with the straightening. Annie Malone, her mentor is possibly the one who patented the hot comb. Clothing irons were used to straighten hair in the 1960’s. It was Isaac K. Shero who invented the first hair straightener as we think of it, with two irons that are heated and pressed together. He did this in 1909.

Today, the material used for a flat iron is ceramic , tourmaline or titanium. Most models use electric heating, though some use batteries or butane. If you straighten your hair too much you can damage it.

Additional Information

• Wikipedia: Hair Iron

• Amazon: Flat Iron

• Good Housekeeping: Best Hair Straighteners, Flat Irons, and Straightening Brushes