Tourmaline vs. Titanium – The Hair Straightener Struggle
There is a war fought by women every single day. No, it’s not in the board room, nor does it have anything to do with the proverbial glass ceiling. The war we’re talking about is with your hair, and those who use a hair straightener are all too familiar with the repercussions. Though the flat iron was patented in 1909, recently, they have become more effective as manufacturers are starting to work with different types of materials, namely titanium and tourmaline, both of which are incredibly effective materials in hair care. They serve to keep the hair looking amazing while also making sure that it is straight.
Flat irons for hair have come a long way, but how far exactly? How much different are they from the units we knew and loved in the past? One of the biggest differences you’ll see now is the precise temperature control which allows you to go beyond the typical “Low, Medium, and High”.
This is an immense improvement, but it is made even better with the introduction of the different materials, which we’re going to cover in this blog post. The biggest difference is the use of titanium, a metal, and tourmaline, a crystal, both of which have their various attributes and their different abilities to make hair healthy and shiny.
Tourmaline vs. Titanium – Understanding the Difference
Both titanium and tourmaline are able to heat up quickly, but pay attention to these distinct differences:
Titanium – Heats quickly, but also more evenly. There will be no cold spots on the iron to worry about.
Tourmaline – Naturally produces negative ions when heated along with infrared rays capable of penetrating the hair without damage. Ceramic is also a producer of negative ions, which often leads to the two being combined for a far better result. If you use either of these for any length of time you will eventually find that they wear out, but tourmaline will actually wear out much faster than titanium.
Titanium doesn’t corrode at all, but as a gemstone, tourmaline can wear out faster. Something important to keep in mind is that in both instances, the materials are ground down and infused onto the iron plates, which is why you’ll see them marketed with names like ‘nano-titanium’ or ‘nano-tourmaline’. The plates themselves are simply coated rather than made in a single piece.
How to Choose
When you are going about choosing your flat iron for hair straightening you need to look at what works. For most hair, tourmaline works just fine, but this is only true for you if your hair is thin, or particularly Type A. If you have thicker hair, and if it doesn’t cooperate particularly well, then it would be a good idea to try using titanium, which is a bit more expensive, but a lot more effective.
The cost of the flat iron will play into this a little bit, and you should know that titanium costs considerably more than tourmaline. For example, a good tourmaline flat iron might cost about $60-$70 while a ceramic flat iron for hair will cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $180-$200 depending upon the brand. These prices are of course subject to change, but if you take a look at our store, you will see that this is the norm.
Safety First
No matter which type of iron you choose, it will be absolutely critical for you to practice a certain level of safety. For example, make sure that your’ using heat resistant gloves (sold right here on our website), and that you’re keeping your hair properly protected from the heat. Our heat protectant spray will get the job done for you and allow you to style your hair any way you wish without fear of damage.
Check out our other accessories, and choose your hair straightener type. We carry both types, tourmaline, and titanium in our store, and if you really want to take it to the next level, check out our care box, which allows you to choose the items you need to facilitate your hair care while receiving a free ceramic flat iron.
That’s one benefit you don’t want to pass up. Ultimately, it’s going to be your decision, but making the right choice for your hair is critical here. If you need extra help, make sure you speak to a stylist who has worked with flat irons and can evaluate your needs. With the right materials and the right skills, you’ll be well on your way to getting the style you want each and every time, regardless of your hair type.