Best Flat Iron for Black Hair

African American hair can be harder to manage but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be silky smooth with the help of a good flat iron. Contrary to popular belief, black hair doesn’t need a different or specially designed flat iron for great results. Ceramic hair straighteners are considered the best heating material on the market for any type of hair and tourmaline is the safest and gentlest material available. If you can get a flat iron made with both ceramic and tourmaline then you’re ensuring the smoothest, shiniest and healthiest looking hair possible as the combined technologies of the two lock in your hairs natural moisture and flatten every strand while sealing the cuticle to prevent damage.

Choosing a flat iron for African-American or other ethnic hair types is not much different from choosing a flat iron that will work well on thick or curly hair. The difference is in the preparation and treatment needed before and after straightening. Ethnic hair tends to be coarse, but African-American hair is the most porous, meaning it is easier to lose moisture and to sustain heat damage. Using moisturizing conditioners regularly is more important when heat styling black hair, so make sure to moisturize before and after styling. The trick is in straightening small sections at a time, looking for wider plate sizes (1 1/23 or more), and practicing to find the right temperature and technique.

Flat irons work very well on African American hair and are the preferred method of straightening tight, curly hair. Look for one that is built to handle thicker hair and that has ceramic and/or tourmaline plates to avoid damaging your locks with frequent straightening. You don't have to pay high salon fees to have manageable hair, with your own flat iron you can straighten your tresses at home while looking as though you’ve just come from a hair salon!