As expensive as some ceramic flat irons are, their greatest cost might be the toll they take on hair if overused. In addition, the irons' extreme heat can cause serious burns if mishandled.

The latest hair straighteners are marketed as providing glamorous, silky hair almost instantaneously. Teenage girls across the country consider them as necessary as pencils and paper for the school year. However, parents need to make sure that being in-style doesn’t come ahead of being safe.   

Hair breakage caused by highest setting
While ceramic flat irons do indeed straighten hair more quickly than their metal counterparts, their method requires applying more heat. If used on the highest setting daily, the flat irons will eventually dehydrate the hair and cause breakage.

“Flat irons can overheat hair and dry it out,” Maurica Contreras, a clinical nurse specialist in the Dermatology department at Children’s, said. “And if your hair is chemically treated on top of that, you multiply your risk of having hair damage.”

Many ceramic flat irons have the capacity to reach 410 degrees Fahrenheit. Studies have revealed that temperatures above 350 degrees Fahrenheit will damage most hair after only five minutes. Damp, permed or dyed hair will damage even sooner.

Flat irons should not be used every day
The damaged hair will look frizzy and feel brittle. Flat iron users may unknowingly try to smooth their hair by ironing it even more. If breakage reaches a severe level, it may take up to two years to heal, but most cases can be cured with simple rest.

“Wearing your hair loose and keeping it clean while avoiding chemical and heat products will allow your hair to heal,” Contreras said. “If you haven’t experienced hair damage yet, I would just say be cautious. Use the flat iron once or twice a week; don’t use it every day.”

Safety
Flat irons can cause serious skin burns if mishandled. Teach your teen how to appropriately handle heated products such as flat irons. Also, make sure she is responsible enough to use the product before allowing unsupervised use.