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What Are the Pros and Cons of Using a Gold Curling Iron?

Alex Tree
Alex Tree

The usually low price, ability to heat relatively evenly, and the decreased risk of overheating are some advantages of using a gold curling iron. On the other hand, gold is not the best plating for a curling iron and will not yield results comparable to ceramic plating. In addition, all curling irons have the potential to severely damage a person’s hair if used incorrectly or too often. Overall, however, a gold curling iron is typically better than a chrome-plated iron.

A gold curling iron is usually one of the cheaper options when it comes to purchasing a heat styling hair appliance. As a good but not great plating, it is typically purchased by the average person rather than a professional hair stylist. Hair stylists often use very high-quality heat styling devices made from ceramic.

A gold curling iron is generally more capable of evenly heating hair than a chrome curling iron.
A gold curling iron is generally more capable of evenly heating hair than a chrome curling iron.

In terms of evenly heating the hair, a gold curling iron is better than a chrome one. The best plating for heat styling tools is ceramic, however. If a person cannot afford ceramic plating, gold is a decent middle ground. It heats relatively evenly, leaving the device with few hot spots that might overheat and severely damage certain parts of the hair.

Additionally, this type of curling iron is less likely to overheat than a chrome curling iron. Overheating typically happens when a curling iron is left on too long. The device becomes too hot to safely use on the hair and might even be too hot to safely handle.

A gold curling iron is not as good as a ceramic one and will yield lesser results. The difference between a low- and high-quality iron is significant, both in results achieved and how much the hair was damaged in the process. A high-quality iron also usually has features like automatic shut off, adjustable temperature, and an easy grip. Curling iron manufacturers that take the time and money to build high-quality features into their products often include a better plating, so these features are seen less often on a gold curling iron.

No matter what kind of curling iron is used, the hair sustains damage because of the intense heat. This is something to keep in mind if the hair is already split. Split ends cannot be mended; they must be cut off or they will continue to split up the hair shaft until all the hair is ruined. To reduce the severity of the damage, a person should always start with reasonably healthy hair. Healthy hair is usually soft, bouncy, and without white or split ends.

Discussion Comments

umbra21

I'm glad I read this article, because I always thought a gold curling iron was the best kind you could get. I figured that it was the kind that professionals used. I don't know why I thought that, except maybe that I associate the word "gold" with the highest standard.

It does make sense that ceramic tools would work better, though. I think it's a good idea to ask what tools your hairdresser uses if you're looking for the best kind.

clintflint

@MrsPramm - I don't actually think it makes any difference whether you're using gold or ceramic in terms of the potential damage you can do. It only makes a difference to the outcome and how good your hair will look afterwards.

If you've got curly hair already, I suggest that you don't use a curling iron at all, which sounds obvious, but I know people who straighten their hair and then curl it again in order to make it behave.

Any hot tool, like a curling iron, is going to damage hair, it's just a matter of trying to keep the damage down. And if you've got curly hair, it's already going to be quite fine and dry, so the last thing it needs is even more damage. It will become really frizzy and take more and more products and styling to manage, creating a vicious circle.

MrsPramm

It's so important to make sure that you use a good quality gel or serum to protect your hair while you're styling it. If you don't, you can end up damaging it very badly and using a gold curling wand will only make it worse.

Ceramic is definitely better, but gold or even chrome can be OK as long as you use the right products to protect your hair.

I remember when I was a kid and we weren't allowed our own curling irons, we would use the clothes iron to straighten our hair and it ended up in a frizzy mess. It's basically the exact same mistake if you don't use the right products.

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    • A gold curling iron is generally more capable of evenly heating hair than a chrome curling iron.
      By: Africa Studio
      A gold curling iron is generally more capable of evenly heating hair than a chrome curling iron.