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How Do I Choose the Best Straightener for Thick Hair?

T. Carrier
T. Carrier

Individuals with thick hair typically must pay more attention to proper hair maintenance. This extra vigilance includes more care in choosing hair care and hairstyling products like a hair straightener: a product in which individuals place strands of hair between two heated plates for creating straight hair. The size of the plates and the overall design of the straightener are important variables. Further, a product that preserves moisture and offers solid heating ranges also serves as a good straightener for thick hair. Product reviews are also useful.

Chief among the benefits of thick hair is its volume and shine. Natural moisture in the hair helps preserve and enhance both of these features. A ceramic straightener for thick hair can accomplish this task, particularly those that also contain a substance known as tourmaline. This mineral releases negatively charged particles that balance out the positive particles found in damaged and moisture-deprived hair. Since moisture is an important component of healthy hair, you should however avoid wet-to-dry hair straighteners that strip excessive moisture from the hair.

A woman with straightened thick hair.
A woman with straightened thick hair.

Thick hair typically means more overall hair, so it will take more time to straighten and style the hair. If you are usually pressed for time, you should consider a straightener for thick hair with quick heating capacity. In general, products with higher maximum temperatures will also heat more quickly. A sound heating system can significantly reduce the amount of time you will need to spend straightening. Further, the heating system should offer a variety of heat settings in order to accommodate your sometimes unpredictable hair.

Size matters in hairstyling. The plates that will straighten thick hair should be thicker and larger than average, thinner hair. For example, if your hair is long as well as thick, a plate size of about 2 or 3 inches (5 to 7.5 centimeters) is ideal.

Straightening cream can be used to tame and straighten curly or frizzy hair.
Straightening cream can be used to tame and straighten curly or frizzy hair.

Convenience and effectiveness are also important in hairstyling, and the two variables often work hand-in-hand. A lightweight straightener with an easily grippable handle can better help you navigate around your hair while reducing the chance of suffering accidental burns. Flat irons are also easy to store and handle, and varieties with curved ends can provide you with styling and slight curling options.

Using a flat iron on thick hair is fine to do, but the hair must be straightened in smaller sections to reach the desired look.
Using a flat iron on thick hair is fine to do, but the hair must be straightened in smaller sections to reach the desired look.

Online research can better inform most purchasing decisions as well. Consumer catalogs will likely detail all of the specifications you will consider for a straightener for thick hair. In addition, many retail outlet websites allow customers to write reviews and ratings for these products. Some sites dedicated to consumer reviews for different products also offer product expert reviews. Through a few minutes of research, you can gain a better understanding of which brands of straightener for thick hair are held in higher regard and which products offer the best financial value.

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    • A woman with straightened thick hair.
      By: Ariwasabi
      A woman with straightened thick hair.
    • Straightening cream can be used to tame and straighten curly or frizzy hair.
      By: Ruslan Solntsev
      Straightening cream can be used to tame and straighten curly or frizzy hair.
    • Using a flat iron on thick hair is fine to do, but the hair must be straightened in smaller sections to reach the desired look.
      By: Daria Filiminova
      Using a flat iron on thick hair is fine to do, but the hair must be straightened in smaller sections to reach the desired look.