Hot comb

Hot comb

A hot comb is a metal comb that is used to straighten curly or coarse hair. The comb is preheated before use, then carefully combed through the hair while still hot. Hot combs can also be used for more general forms of hairstyling, but they are typically used by African-Americans and Hispanics or other people with Afro textured hair as an alternative to chemical hair relaxers.

Usage

Historical

Madame Walker's first product was a scalp treatment that used petroleum and a hot comb, although it was initially sold to treat scalp problems rather than for straightening hair.

Originally, the comb was heated in an open flame. Some modern hot combs are electrically heated on the same principle as electric hair irons, but others are intended for use by preheating them on the burner of a normal kitchen stove (gas or electric).

In the 1980s and 1990s, hot-combing (also known as pressing hair) faded from popularity compared to the use of relaxers. However, a recent mild resurgence for hot combs has been attributed to the benefits of smoothing a rough cuticle.Fact|date=January 2007 Although hot combs do not change the chemical structure of hair, repeated use may denature its proteins to result in a phenomenon known as "hair training".

Potential hazards

An excessively hot comb can burn one's hair. In order to avoid this, comb users commonly test the temperature by compressing a small folded wad of toilet paper against the comb. If the paper chars to dark brown or black, the comb is too hot and should be allowed to cool. If the paper only turns light brown or its color remains unchanged, the hot comb is ready for use.

Hot combs can permanently damage hair:

ee also

*Hair iron
*Western culture

Links

* [http://thekizurebrand.com/ thekizurebrand.com]
* [http://www.bobsaone.org/ www.bobsaone.org]


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • hot-comb — /hot kohm /, v.t. to arrange or style (the hair) with a hot comb. * * * …   Universalium

  • hot-comb — /hot kohm /, v.t. to arrange or style (the hair) with a hot comb …   Useful english dictionary

  • hot comb — ☆ hot comb n. a comblike device that is heated, usually electrically, and used to straighten or style the hair …   English World dictionary

  • hot comb — noun Date: 1970 a metal comb usually electrically heated for straightening or styling the hair • hot comb transitive verb …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • hot-comb — transitive verb see hot comb …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • hot comb — noun : a metal comb usually electrically heated for straightening or styling the hair * * * a comb or comblike appliance heated electrically and used to arrange or style the hair. [1965 70] …   Useful english dictionary

  • hot comb — a comb or comblike appliance heated electrically and used to arrange or style the hair. [1965 70] * * * …   Universalium

  • hot comb alopecia — see follicular degeneration syndrome, under syndrome …   Medical dictionary

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