You can also find hair straighteners with solid ceramic plates. If you choose a coated plate, look for a crystal coated or baked plate rather than a dipped one, which is more durable. If your straightener doesn't say how it was made, a cheaper method has probably been used.

Choose your straightener according to your hair type. People with thick or difficult to straighten hair will need more heat and a wider plate for their hair. Those with fine, easily damaged, naturally almost straight hair will find a smaller, cooler plate more appropriate. Remember that narrower plates can also be used for styling, in much the same way as a curling iron.

Replace your straightener frequently. Hair straighteners may last only twelve months or a year and a half when used regularly. The intense heat of these styling tools will eventually burn out the element or damage the plates. Replacement plates are available for some irons, but not for all, and elements may be extremely difficult to replace, so even the best straightener won't last forever.