Steam straightener
Is the tool better for your hair than a straightener?
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Steam straighteners are said to be healthier for the hair than straighteners and have many other advantages. How good are steam straighteners really?
For years we’ve been told that we should never straighten our hair when it’s wet, and now along comes a straightener that uses exactly that: water. Within a very short time, the steam straightener should turn our bad hair day into a good hair day. You can read here how this can work and whether it is really harmless to our mane.
What is a steam straightener?
On the outside, steam straighteners do not differ significantly from conventional ones Straightener. They have two narrow heating plates between which individual strands of hair are clamped. But now the special thing: There is a small water tank on the steam straightener. The water contained there is heated and converted into water vapor. When the plates are pressed together, the water vapor flows out of the straightening iron in the form of mist and envelops the hair. If the straightener is an iron for the hair, the steam straightener is the steamer.
How do steam straighteners work?
Steam straighteners are said to be more time-saving than conventional straighteners, as a maximum of two passes per strand are sufficient. In addition, the steam straightener can be used to create not only straight hair, but also curls and beach waves. To do this, individual strands of hair are placed between the heating plates and pulled through the heating plates as usual or wrapped around the device. If the water vapor escaping makes you think of drizzle and you can no longer get the images of frizzy hair out of your head, you can rest easy. The hot steam smoothes the individual strands of hair and provides them with moisture at the same time.
Cool Mist vs. Hot Vapor: What’s the Difference?
To be honest, it took us a while to understand exactly why hot steam is supposed to be good for your hair. The answer lies in science. Cool mist consists of tiny drops of water in liquid form. In other words: These particles are still in the water state and are not charged, which means that the mist is easily adsorbed by the hair – i.e. it remains on the surface of the hair. It’s different with hot steam. Due to the gaseous state, the particles are charged and are not so easily adsorbed by the hair, but are absorbed – i.e. absorbed. And why exactly is a steam straightener good? Very easy: When the water content in the hair is increased, the cuticle relaxes, allowing styling at lower, healthier temperatures. The result: A shiny finish, without any frizzy hair.
Steam straighteners: These purchasing criteria must be taken into account
A steam straightener is slightly more expensive than a straightener. Therefore, the purchase should be carefully considered. The following criteria can help you make your purchase decision.
- Heating plates: When it comes to heating plates, the wheat is separated from the chaff. While cheaper models rely on metal-coated heating plates, higher-quality steam straighteners with ceramic plates impress. They ensure gentle treatment of the hair as the heat is distributed optimally.
- Warm-up time: Time is of the essence, especially in the morning. Five minutes are worth their weight in gold here. So make sure the warm-up time is as short as possible. Most steam straighteners are ready to use within 90 seconds.
- Water tank: So that you don’t have to constantly add water while styling, the water tank should contain at least 10 milliliters. Of course, this depends on your hair length and thickness.
- Cable: For uncomplicated styling, a cable joint that can be rotated 360 degrees is advisable. The cable should also be around 1.5 to two meters long. You never know how far away the nearest power outlet is.
- Automatic switch-off: The automatic switch-off ensures safety. We tend to feel scatterbrained in the morning and forget to unplug. The automatic switch-off makes up for our mistake and deactivates the device if we don’t use it for around 30 to 60 minutes.
- Temperature setting: Different hair types require different styling temperatures. If you have a steam straightener with several temperature settings, you can adjust it optimally to the needs of your hair. Temperatures between 150 and 220 degrees Celsius are optimal.
Which steam straightener is the best? Three products in comparison
L’Oréal SteamPod
The L’Oréal SteamPod is so popular that there is now a third edition, SteamPod 3.0. In our comparison, the SteamPod is the most expensive steam straightener, but it also comes with a hair cream and a hair serum, which are supposed to bring the result to the highest level.
- Three heat levels from 180 to 210 degrees Celsius
- SteamPod care products ensure optimal results: smoothing serum and smoothing cream
- Removable comb
- 360 degree rotating cable joint
BaByliss Steam Luster Styler
The Steam Luster Styler by BaByliss is also a bestseller and meets the most important criteria that a good steam straightener should have. Like the SteamPod, the BaByliss steam straightener has a removable comb for particularly smooth gliding through each individual strand.
- Five temperature levels, 170 to 210 degrees Celsius
- Heating plates with ceramic coating
- Two steam settings
- 30 milliliter water tank
- Removable comb attachment
- Automatic switch-off
- Cable length: 2.5 meters
- Warm-up time: 15 seconds
Remington Hydraluxe Pro
Another crowd favorite is this Remington Hydraluxe Pro Steam straightener. It gives you supple, soft and shiny hair as well as protection against heat damage. In addition, the moisture-retaining ceramic coating helps maintain the perfect moisture balance in your hair.
- Ceramic coated heating plates
- Pipette for easy filling of the water tank
- Five temperature settings from 150 to 230 degrees Celsius
- Ready for use in 15 seconds
- Three meter long cable
- Automatic switch-off after 60 minutes
What hair types is a steam straightener suitable for?
Basically, a steam straightener is suitable for all hair types. No matter whether you have curly, wavy or straight hair – the steam straightener will give you exactly the look you want. Thanks to modern steam technology, the device ensures that your hair is protected at least three days straight or curly, and stay supple.
What are the advantages of steam straighteners?
- Gentle on the hair
- Prevents static charge on the hair
- Long-lasting straightening/curls/waves
- No moisture loss
- Gives more shine
- Quick and easy styling
Are steam straighteners better than regular straighteners?
This much can be said in advance: hair generally doesn’t like heat. The gentlest approach would be to let the mane air dry or to create curls without heat and not to use styling tools. But if you can’t do without it completely, there are actually safer alternatives to curling irons, straightening irons, etc. On the one hand, you can use a straightening brush or hot air brush – or just use a steam straightener. The advantage here: You can create different looks with just one device. And because of the water vapor, the hairstyle lasts for several days. Even if the steam straightener is a little more expensive than other styling tools, your hair will thank you.