What do you use to protect your hair from a flat iron that goes up to 400 plus degrees? Flat iron protection is essential when you apply temperatures that high on your hair; and most flat irons easily reach up to 400 degrees.

Heat protection starts with the type of flat iron you purchase for your hair. Ceramic plate flat irons are the Rolls Royce of flat irons. They create a bone straight, smooth, silky look and feel to the hair. That's because Ceramic plate flat irons apply an even heat pattern which provides a more uniform finish. Ceramic plate flat irons also move through the hair more smoothly so you will experience no snagging or sticking to the hair shaft. With these benefits alone Ceramic plate flat irons have the more traditional gold-plated irons beat hands down.

Regardless of whether your flat iron is ceramic, metal, ionic, or thermal, they all can be used incorrectly, doing damage to your hair over a period in time. And while we all know no one wants that, damage is still one of the biggest complaints of flat irons.

So we're going to give you some essential tips for using a flat iron to avoid damage and to achieve luxuriously straight and smooth hair.

Flat iron protection starts with the purchase of your flat iron. Make sure it has a temperature gauge setting on it. Rule # 1: not everyone's hair can stand the same amount of heat, and you will cause dryness as well as breakage in the long run if you don't get an adjustable setting with your ceramic flat iron.

Be sure to apply a heat protectant to your hair. A pure silicone like Simply Stylin' Silk or Simply Stylin' Light Silk Spray will protect the hair shaft with a silk coating that will not allow heat to penetrate and damage the hair. One of the really great benefits of the Simply Stylin' products is that you can put them in your hair while wet and then reapply while dry for extra protection; and they are so light that they still will not weigh your hair down!

For maximum flat iron protection, section your hair off in four parts so you have more control over your hair. Start with one section at a time and make smaller sections within each section. Spray Simply Stylin' Light Silk Spray on the smaller sections you are going to flat iron, going from close to the root to the ends of the hair (avoid getting it on your scalp.) Continue the process until you complete all four sections.

Run your flat iron down each section of your hair smoothly, and avoid overlapping. Flat iron each section of your hair once or, if you must, no more the twice. That's because overuse of your flat iron on your hair can make your hair very dry and brittle, leading to breakage over a period of time. When you're done flat ironing your hair, style as usual.

Donn Monroe has helped 1000's of women with his hair styling tips. Get more tips at www.simplystylinhair.com.