How do ceramic flat irons work?

Question: How do ceramic flat irons work?

Answer: There is a lot of information circulating on the internet about the differences and mechanics of flat irons and how they work. A lot of people wonder how does this small piece of equipment control and reshapes your puffy, frizzy out of control hair making it lay perfectly flat. It is true the styling flat iron is a marvel of scientific design and technology. Basically the flat iron combines three elements or forces (not to be confused with the movie “The Fifth Element” staring Bruce Willis) thermal, mechanical and electrical. These forces combine to create a smooth, shiny manageable hairstyle that is very popular with today’s in-crowd.

Electrical Forces
The key to this first of three components is that the ceramic plates of the flat iron holds a continuous negative charge or negative ionic charge. This counteracts the continuous positive static charge found naturally in the hair. This bombardment creates an electrical field that makes the hair lay flat and straighten.

Thermal Forces
In addition to the electrical fields created by the flat iron’s ceramic plates; thermal forces in the form of heat force the protein in the hair to reconfigure and straighten as the styling iron is guided through the hair.

Mechanical Forces
Generally over time due to washing and applying chemicals, hair will tend to become stiff and the hair follicles will open up and frizz. The mechanical process of the straitening iron is initiated when you squeeze the two plates together and guide them through the hair. This process helps to re-align the cuticles of the hair all in one uniform downward direction and also restores the smoothness and shine to the hair.