Article: If you're going to use a straightening or curling iron on your hair daily, it's important that to select one that's made with a material that will do the least damage to your hair. Inexpensive irons are usually made with metal that doesn't heat evenly so it can easily burn your hair. You'll pay more for an iron made with a higher quality material, but it will help minimize damage. Ceramic irons heat quickly and evenly, so they're not as likely to burn your hair. They also produce negative ions that help smooth cuticle and boost shine. Be sure to choose an iron that's made of ceramic and not just coated with it. A ceramic coating will eventually wear off over time. Tourmaline irons can produce 6 times the amount of negative ions that ceramic models do. As a result, you're left with smooth, shiny, healthy looking hair. Titanium irons are usually the most expensive, but they heat quickly and evenly. They're a particularly good option for thick or coarse hair. Many straightening and curling irons only have low, medium, and high heat settings. To keep your hair from getting damaged, you want to use the lowest heat possible to give you your desired style. That's why it's best to purchase an iron with digital heat controls that allow you to choose a specific temperature to heat to. In general, an iron that allows you to set the temperature between 175 degrees to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (80 degrees to 200 degrees Celsius) is sufficient for all hair types. The finer or thinner your hair is, the lower the temperature on your iron should be. Start at 175 degrees (80 degrees Celsius), and only raise the temperature if your hair isn't curling or straightening properly. No matter how thick or coarse your hair is, you should never set your iron to higher than 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). The size of your straightening or curling iron can also affect how damaged your hair becomes. If you use a larger iron, you're less likely to need to go over the same section of hair twice to curl or straighten it properly. In general, a 1-inch (23-mm) curling or straightening iron is the most versatile for all hair types. If you have a shorter hair, you may want to use a smaller iron. If you have extremely thick or long hair, you may want to use a larger iron. When it comes to curling iron, it's also important to consider the hairstyle that you're going for. If you want tight ringlet curls, you'll want to use a smaller curling iron. If you want loose waves, you'll want to use a larger curling iron.

What is a summary?
Use an iron made of a high quality material. Opt for an iron that has adjustable temperature controls. Consider the size of your iron.