Is tourmaline or ceramic the best coating for curling irons?
Which is better – ceramic or tourmaline coating of the plates? Different surfaces have their own characteristics. We conducted a comparative analysis and collected recommendations for choosing styling curling irons.
How hair straighteners work
Women's nature is changeable and contradictory. Straight hair definitely wants to be curled, and curly hair needs to be straightened.
How does a rectifier work?
- The curl fixed with tongs is heated and, under light pressure from the plates, takes on the desired shape (when using straight hair, straight, ribbed, wavy, etc.).
- When exposed to high temperatures, moisture leaves the curl, it becomes crumbly and holds its shape for a long time.
- Sliding movements, heat and dryness cause the hair scales to close, making it smooth and shiny.
But along with the positive aspects, there is also the other side of the coin. The straightener dries out the hair, making it brittle and split. The higher the temperature, the more severe the damage.
Curly hair is especially vulnerable to various irons and curling irons. This is explained by the uneven keratin coating and slightly open scales on the bends of the curls. All hair treated with chemicals (dyes, curling agents) is also at risk: due to the altered structure, it easily deteriorates from any aggressive influences.
Varieties
So that girls can be beautiful and at the same time their hair remains healthy, specialists are constantly modernizing styling techniques. The first irons and curling irons had metal plates, which not only heated unevenly, but were also small in size and unregulated in temperature.
Modern styling devices have been improved to the maximum. To protect women's curls, the coating is done:
- tourmaline;
- titanium;
- with the addition of marble;
- ceramic.
In addition, most modern tongs have a temperature regulator, which allows you to choose gentle (130-160 °C), normal (165-180 °C) or maximum (185-230) mode. And for quick straightening, the plates are produced in different widths, from 2 to 8 cm.
For long and thick hair, it is better to take a straightener with wide plates - 7-8 cm. This way, straightening will happen faster and more efficiently, the duration of hair heating will be reduced, and it will remain healthy.
Features of ceramic coating
Ceramics is a reliable and environmentally friendly material. It began to be widely used for rectifiers relatively recently. Before it, tongs were made of metal, which dried out the hair greatly and could even burn the strand. Today, the harsh Soviet predecessor has been completely replaced by ceramic plates (except for improved types of coatings with tourmaline or titanium).
Obvious advantages of ceramics:
- uniform heating;
- easy sliding;
- release of negative ions – antistatic effect;
- gentle evaporation of moisture to maintain healthy hair.
Disadvantages of ceramic coating:
- long warm-up (in the latest models this drawback has been eliminated);
- fragility - possible chips when dropped, cracks.
A straightener with cracked ceramic plates cannot be used for its intended purpose. Needs repair or a new alignment device.
Features of tourmaline coating
For straighteners, tourmaline is not used in its pure form. Crystal dust is applied on top of the ceramic or crumbs are added. The gemstone has piezoelectric properties and is a powerful source of negative ions.
What effect does tourmaline coating give?
- Carefully covers the scales.
- Retains moisture in hair.
- Prevents split ends.
- Removes static electricity.
- Gives smoothness and incredible shine to curls.
- Heats up evenly and quickly.
- It is wear resistant.
The only disadvantage of such irons is their high price (on average 5,500 rubles versus 1,500 rubles for regular ceramic ones).
Which straightener is better?
Ceramic and tourmaline hair care products are by far the best-selling products. They are as gentle as possible, environmentally friendly, and do not emit harmful substances when heated. Tourmaline-coated curling irons, which curl hair into shiny Hollywood curls, are also gaining popularity. In general, both options are decent and fully meet the requirements of modern fashionistas.
If you choose which is better - ceramic or tourmaline coating on tongs or curling irons, the answer is clear. Tourmaline ionizes better, and devices with its addition are more wear-resistant. However, it costs an order of magnitude more. Whether it is worth buying an iron 3 times more expensive with slightly improved functions, everyone decides for themselves.
If price is not an issue, you can take a closer look at other types of tongs.Along with tourmaline, ceramic plates are coated with titanium, made movable, and a steam function or retractable comb built into the device.
The best manufacturers today:
- BaByliss;
- Ma;
- Remington;
- Moser;
To summarize, it is worth saying that curling irons and curling irons with ceramic coating cannot be compared with the first metal styling devices. They treat hair with care and practically do not harm even with frequent use. Tourmaline coating improves the already good characteristics in all respects and has only one drawback - the high price. Therefore, when choosing, you should start from your material capabilities.
I went to the store to buy a hair straightener. The choice is large. But the consultant could not explain what the difference was. I read the article and now I understand how they differ, and what exactly I need.