Ceramic Flat Irons Could Be Dangerous

Straight hair does not lose its popularity. It is favored by celebrities and imitated by fans. For this reason, the popularity of flat irons, which are used to straighten hair, has increased in recent years.

However, dermatologists alert that certain flat irons can damage hair and cause hair breakage.

Dermatologist Paradi Mirmirani of University of California, San Francisco, presented evidence that when ceramic flat irons are used wrongly or too often, hair breakage can happen.

“We’re seeing that when these ceramic flat irons are used at the highest heat settings and on a daily basis to achieve straight hair, they can really take a toll on the structure of the hair and cause very noticeable problems that can be hard to repair,” said Dr. Mirmirani.

When breakage takes place, it can occur anywhere along the hair length and cause a skimpy or shaggy look to the hair. When this happens, flat iron users often use the device even more frequently in order to tame uneven appearance of their hair - which leads to more damage.

“Proper use of flat irons is extremely important, especially given how quickly hair can be damaged with high heat settings,” said Dr. Mirmirani. “Flat irons should only be applied to dry hair, and specialized styling products that act as heat protectors may be applied to the hair prior to pressing to help prevent burning and allow for smoother hair that remains straight longer. If there is a temperature setting on the device, it should be set no higher than 347 degrees Fahrenheit, or 175 degrees Celsius, or on the low/medium setting.”

Dr. Mirmirani recommended that ceramic flat irons should not be used more than 2 to 3 times per week.

Dr. Mirmirani presented the findings at the American Academy of Dermatology’s Summer Academy Meeting 2008 in Chicago. For more information, visit www.aad.org.